Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1866-02-14
Read and Reflect!

All We that imagine that Tennessee is reconstruc-
ted see what the rebels doing in Robertson coun
ty, in the very heart Of Middle Tennessee, and
within forty miles of the State Capitol. We saw
and conversed with the surviving friends of the muir
dered parties and endorse the correctness of the
account given by the Press and Times, which we
copy as follows
ASSASSINATION of Union Men IN Robertson County
Fidelity of a Negro-h Postmaster Threatened
Union Families Leaeing.
Reliable and intelligent persons from Robertson
county give deplorable account of affairs in this
county. Some two months or more since, Thomas
Payne an old and respectable Union man living a
few miles from Mitchelsville, who had been hiding
for many months from his reconstructed neighbors
was hunted up in one of his fields by rebel named
Foster and shot down in cold blood and again shot
when he was dying.
A negro man heard certain person tell Foster
that Mr. Payne had returned home, at last, and
heard Foster reply that he would go straight and
kill the id old tory. The negro started off to
warn the old man, who was at work in his fields a
mile off, of his danger He came in sight of the
spot lust in time to see the old man murdered
The murderer then went to the house and called
for the oldest member of the family. A daughter
who had looked on and the murder of her faith
er, replied that her mother was not at home. Tho
fend then called for the next Oldest of the family.
The poor girl replied that she herself the next
Oldest He then demanded that she should say he
was a gentleman for killing her father. The young
lady said nothing, when the demon left telling her
he would yet kill her brother, who had been in the
Federal army.
The Sheriff of that comfy is one of Morgan S
men, reconstructed and the Justices of the county
are all reconstructed but cannot be induced to take
any notice of the case though the murderer is still
there apparently unconcerned. Perhaps they have
good reason to apprehend that if they venture to
arrest the offender, their own lives would be in
danger.
On last Friday, Feb 3, an old and inoffensive
Union man, a Mr. Smith was found dead in one of
his houses, shot twice, once through the head
His only ofense was loyalty to his country. Our in
being found dead from violence, but could not give
particulars.
A week ago the notorious Harper was at Mitch
ellsvie, and attempted to kill the Postmaster for
the infamous offense of taking the test oath, and
difficulty prevented from executing his purpose.
A number Of the Unionists of that county are
preparing to go North. Mr.. Barlow, whose wife
had the misfortune to see the murder of Mr.. Payne
has taken his family to Illinois, fearing his wife
would be murdered to keep her from testifying in
the case
These things occurring not i'll remote cor
ner of the State but within few hours ride of the
capital The spirit of rebellion is evidently rife in
the hearts of many, and we have much reason to
fear that it is increasing. We appeal to all nteli-
gent Union men, if this is the proper time to break
down the solitary barrier of the Franchise law and
surrender the State Government to the dominion of
reconstructed rebels?