Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-11-12
miscellaneous.
MURDER AND LYNCHING In TEN.
NESSEE.

@fe~N~NA@e
The trial Of a man named Jerry Baker,
charged with the murder Of another na-
med Fuget, has created an intense excite
ment in the Cumberland Mountain Dis
trict, Tennessee. The body of the victim,
as well as that Of bis horse, were found a
little off the road, in a state of decompo-
sition. The man had been killed, and the
horse, to prevent his neighiug, had been
muzsle'l and tied to a tree, where be
starved to death, The man was recog-
nized as one Fuget, who had been in the
habi, Of making annual visits to that cOun
try, and who was generally believed to
be a dealer in counterfeit money
1t was ascertaiued beyond a doubt that
the deceased, 10 company with two other
men, spent the night at the house Of Ba-
ker, as be passed through, though Baker
denied at first all knowledge Of such a
man. Baker was arrested and brought to
trial. One of the travelling companions Of
the deceased comes forward and diyulges
the plot which resulted in bis death.
1t was known to Baker that Fuget had
a considerable amount of good money, as
well as a supply of counterfeit. At con-
venient time previous to his departure in
the morning, Baker concocted plan with
the two companions of deceased to murder
and rob him, the witness averring that be
objected and was forced to acquiesce. Ba.
ker told deceased, as he prepared to depart
that be would buy a lot Of counterfeit
money from him, but he would have to 60
to some of bis neighbors to procure the
means, and would meet him at the Gloss
roads. The deceased agreed to wait, and
did wait. Baker came, aud the parties re-
paired to secluded place adjoining the
road, and deceased sat upon a log and was
counting out the money, when witness,
who occupied a position near them, heard
blow and turned away to avoid the scene.
Subsequently Baker and his companion
told him that the work was done, and in-
duced him to accept 500 of the spoils.
There were other circumstances which
were calculated TO fasten the guilt upon
Baker. One was the finding of knife
near the body, the blade of which fitted
the wound, and which was proven to have
been Bakers, and indeed had his namt
scratched upon the handle. Baker wa
found guilty in the Circuit Court, and ap
pealed. He was brought to Nashville, OIL
Saturday last, and is now in Jail there.
Previous to his removal great apprehen
sions of an attempt to rescue him wer
entertained, aud the Jail was regulnrl,
guarded. The Sparta Times of the 9tl
gives the following account of counte
movement, resulting, no doubt, from thi
apprehension:
HGREAT ExCITEMENT-Two HUNDRED AM
FIFTY ARMED MEN TO RESCUE AND HAN,
JERRY BAKKR-LAw AND ORDER TRIUM
PLANT,
"Our town was the scene Ola most in
tense excitement on this day (Friday). b
the arrival of some two hundred and fift
aimed men from tue surrounding coun
ties principally from Overton,) for th
purpose of executing summary punish
ment upon Jerry Baker. About 10 o'cloc
the armed men came pouring into towr
with rifles, shot guns, pistols and Othe
weapons, and by IL O'Clock the town pr
sented scene of confusion and excitemer
which has never been witnessed in th
State since its foundation. The stree
and public square were thronged moi
densely, and there seemed to be settle
determination in the crowd to execute Ba
ker at all hazards, and the rope was pur
chased and fixed to a limb ola tree nea
the Jail. ...
"At twelve O'Clock the crowd moved to
wards the Jail, when court adjourned, AM
Judge Goodall and most ofthe bar repair
ed to the Jail porch where they met th
vast multitude. Col. E. E. L. Garden
hire first addressed the assembled crowd il
a very impressive and eloquent speech i
behalf Of law and order, in which he be
seeched old friends and associates Of hi
youth, among whom he had been reared
to stay their hand of vengeance. Hi
speech was well received, and must hav
had a powerful effect upon the populace i
quelling the deep seated feeling OF yea
eeance. Judge J. L. Goodall next appear
ed, and gave tie crowd a most impressiv
speech, replete with sentiment for law an
srdeL and to the sacred institutions of th
country.
"The gallant J. w. McHeny, Esq,
Overton County, was called for and ap
peared before the audience, and gave ther
a speech of half an hour, in which he az
pealed to the citizens, in words eloquer
and sublime, to observe Law and order, an
} to stay the hand of mob law, as they love
2 their country. We cannot do Justice
! the speakers upon this occasion, who al
D entitled to the lasting gratitude OF the
S countrymen for staying the hand of mo
law in our midst.
"The speaking over, the citizens di
" persed in quiet, and Baker was immediat
y iy hurried off to Nashville.
"Itis due to state that it was supposI
e that Bakers friends intended to relea'
him, which caused that excitement"