The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-11-26

ABOUT three O'CLOCK IN the aiJerhoonf huu "n"0 IA
the store had remarked that he had visited Mem
phis en- route to Arkansas where he intended purch'
asing lands, but upon learning that the cholera was
raging upon the river, and in portion Of the coun-
try through which he intended to pass, he had con-
cuded to return home that he would start out that
evening and 20 some FIVE or six miles on his jour
ney home, aud postpone bis trip Westward until
more auspiciOus time.
There were several persons in the store at the
time of this conversation, some Of whom were IN
known to the merchant. Upon receiving thls in-
formation, Mr.. Merriwcatner took the road bis
brother had taken homeward, and after ride OF
six miles he reached the house of Mr.. Hammei, the
only public house in that vicinity, where he thought
it likely his brother had spent the night on DIS
journey toward home. Mr.. Hammel, upon inquiry,
told him that his brother had spent the night win
him about the time specifed-and that on the same
night young man but poorly clad, whose name ne
did not learn, had spent the night there Also Inc
young man came in he said, from the direction Oh
Memphis. a short time after dark, and seemed to
be travelling on foot Upon the trial, Mr. Hammel
recognized the prisoner as the same person. de
was going toward fernando, as he said, and from
his appearance was in feeble health. The young
man and the deceased had conversed much during
the evening-and he had heard the deceased giving
the young much kindly advice. They seemed
however, to be strangers to each other. The next
morning the young man arose, paid Tor his lodging
and supper, and left very early before breakfast
going on his journey toward fernando. He SEEM
ed to have but little money. When the deceased
came down to bis breakfast about o'clock, be en-
quired for the young man, and upon being told that
he had gone, he expressed regret stating that
the youth appeared to be frail and feeble, and that
he intended to give him ride during much OF the
journey to fernando. The deceased left Mr.. Ham
mers and took the road toward fernando immedi'
ately after breakfast The body was alterward
found about two miles rom Mr.. Hammels, upon
that road. After getting this information, Mr. Mer-
riweather resumed his journey toward his home in
Mississippi In passing through a village some
hundred miles from Memphis, he instituted further
inquiry, and informed that some five weeks be
fore, young man rode into the village on a fine
blood bay horse, and offered him for sale at much
less than he supposed to be worth gentle
man present suspected from this and other circum-
stances that the horse had been stolen, and upon
catechising the youth pretty closely, be suddenly
put spurs to the horse and galoped him Off The
young mans name was given as William Peterson;
aud the horse had been sold by him to a gentleman
a few miles from the village. Mr.. M,rriweather
then went in quest Of the horse which proved upon
inspection to be the noble animal referred to, of his
lost brother. The father Of Peterson lived not far
distant who is said to be very respectable and
worthy citizen Mr. Merriweather had confidence
in the old mans truth and integrity, and fearing
that he might do injustice to the family and to Pc
terson, by prematurely denouncing INN as the mar
derer, he visited the father and unfoded TO him all
the circumstances of suspicion by which his son
was complicated The story fell upon the ears OF
the father and devoted young sisters OF Peterson,
like the explosion of bomb shell. The young man
had returned home, after a long absence, ri
ding the fine horse in questiOn-well dressed
and well supplied with money. He had told
them that the horse purchased by him in Holly
Springs at auction, upon the streets. This they be-
ieved, aud were still in the confidence of affection,
hopefuof his innocence and assured that he would
be able to dissipate the cloud Of suspicion which
enveoped him. Mr.. Merriweather informed them
of the circumstance Of his brothers having pur-
chased pocket Bible and small map of Arkansas,
in Memphis. At this announcement the father was
still more startled, aud wholly subdued and the sis
tiers in an agony of tears admitted that the brother
had brought home and presented to them such arti-
cles as Mr.. Meniwesther described The little BIZ
bic and pocket map were at once produced and de-
livered to Mr.. Merrweather, and upon the trial
were identified by the Merchant the same that he
had sold the deceased. William Peterson as
certained TO be at that time sojournng in the town
of Grenada. Mr.. Merriweather, accompanied by a
few friends, went ia search Of him. In the conflict
of mind between his commiseration for the father
and sisters of Peterson and his eagerness to bring
to punishment the murderer of his brother, he de-
termned still farther to investigate the matter he
fore he had Peterson arrested and the purpose Of
his seeking him was 10 examine his wardrobe and
if possible still further TO satisfy himself of his
guilt About eleven o'clock at night, the party
alighted at the Hotel in Grenada, where Peterson
was said to be sojourning. Peterson had retired to
bed and they were shown TO his room; the light
shone instantly upon his face the party entered,
aud he was discovered to be apparently asleep
this, however, upon closer inspection of his half.
closed eyes, aud trembling eye lids, was evidently
feigned He was touched by one of the party and
told that they had come to arrest him on a charge
of murder, committed ia the city of st. Louis. lie
Instantly arose and replied that he ready TO an.
swer the charge. His eyes, in glancng upon the
faces of the party, fell upon the paiid and excited
face Of William Merrweather, whom he had never
seen before, upon which his gaze for moment wa,
fEed-then his head dropped upon his breast, and
/ he sighed deeply. Mr.. Merriweather asked him fol
! the key OF his trunk, which he gave him. the trunk
was opened, and Mr. Merriweaiher proceeded to
inspect tue articles it contained. He recognized al
once a pair Of pantaloons OF rare texture aud some
shirts aud vest which be believed to be his broth
er's But fearing still that be might peradvenTur,