The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-08-24
Prom the 4sherille Ners.
BORDER TROUBLES.

There has existed for some years bitter feud
between our citizens living the extreme western
border ofour State, and their Tennessee neighbors
Acts of violence each side have kept the fires of
discord burning until the affair has assumed
serious attitude, and unless promptly checked by
the authorities must result in bloody consequences
We find communication on the subject in the
Eagle, published at Ducktown, Tennessee. The
article was written by Mr. Mcleod, Deputy Sheriff
of Polk county, Tenn, and as it embodies, we pre-
sumo, correct statement Of the leading facts, we
copy it 1t is to be remembered, however, that
this is the Tennessee version of the affair. There
may be a North Carolina side to the picture:
Mr. ED17oR-Some time in 1855, difficulty
occurred between some North Carolinians and
Tenncsseeans, living near the State line. Shortly
after, Of the North Carolinians arrested on
the Tennessee side, who knocked the Officer down
with stick, and then made his escape.
Hostile encounters would occasionally take
place. At length, in 1857, some four or five men
from North Carolina made an assault on man, on
the Tennessee side, cutting and stabblnS him
severely with knives.
For some time after, all appeared quiet, when i'll
in the month Of June last, early morning, some
men from North Carolina came over to Tennessee,
went to the house Of gentleman and attempted to
beat him with sticks; he fled, was pursued to a
neighbours house, when general fight ensued.-
The Tennesseeans, oyerpowered by numbers, were
badly beaten.
This excited the whole neighborhood and as
collisions still took place, and as fighting appeared
to be the order of the day, the citizens of both
States decided on having pitched battle. Satur-
day, the 5lst of July, was the day appointed for
the contest, and they were to meet on the Tennes-
see side to fight.
The day arrived. Thirty men on the Tennes-
see side made their appearance at the place APP
pointed armed with rifles, muskets, pistols, bowie
knives and clubs.
Night came and still not a Carolinian was to be
seen, only a spy or two at a distance. 1he Zen
ncssee logs got impatient, and unlawfuIy slipped
over the line, found one of the men they wanted,
took him out of bed and started with him for Ten
ncssee; some Of his friends rushed to the rescue,
and general battle took place. No one was kill
led, but one had his thumb shot Off another shot In
the hand, and another wounded in the head, whilst
several were badly hurt by sticks and rocks.
The excitement among the people became
fulious-the North Carolinians organized COM
Pany to invade the Tennessee frontiers, and Monday
blight the I'd Of August set apart for the
attack About rs Tennessecans Gin self deicncc)
assembled to receive them. The Deputy Sheriff,
getting notice ofthc anticipated fray wtha sufficient
humber Of men prepared to arrest the hostile
proceedings.
! Night On, occasionally spies were seen
lurking around at whom the Tennessecans would
occasionally fire their rifles.
About 2 o'clock, while most Of the Sheriff S
company were sleeping in house, an alarm was
raised by sentinels outside, who fired their guns.
and the enemy, who advancing wheeled and
Aed.
No arrests were made There is bitter feeling,
and fatal consequences will yet ensue, unless
the strong arm Of the law succeeds in arrestng
the affair.
Yours &C., l.. MCLEOD.