The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1867-12-26
Atrocious Murder In Jones County.
North Carolina.

On Sunday night the 9th, at o o'clock,
party Of armed negroes, Eve in number
went to the house Of Col. John Fl. Meth.
circuit near Trenton. and demanded ad
mitsancs. Col. N. opened the door to zee
who was there when he was Immediately
shot aud almost instantly killed. They
then went into the house and after beas.
ing Mrs. Ne.hercu,t severely with chair
and locking up the children in a barn
proceeded 10 rob the house. We have
known Col. Nethercutt, for a long time,
and know him 10 have been one OF the
most inofsnsive living, and the only thing
that these iends in human shape could
have murdered him for, was pluuder, and
his having taken an active part in the
Rebelion.-Newbern Commerce. p
Col Nethercutt commarded the 86th
N. G. Regiment. The Nswbern Repub.
liean gives the following account of the
horrible affair
"On Sunday night, while Col. Neither.
cuts and bis family were seated around
the fire in the sitting room, some persons
entered the house, and before Mr.. Meth.
circuit who was facing the FIRE place, could
turn, some one discharged a musket, al.
most instantly killing Mr.. N, the ball
passing through his cheat.
"The murderers, who are reported to
be five colored men, then attacked Mrs.
Ne.bercu's BY striking her upon the head
with chair. Report says that Mrs.
Nethercutt's skull WAS broken by the
blow and that she cannot survive. The
murderer then proceeded to lock the chill
dren OF the family 10 the smoke house
next TO the dwelling, and ransacked and
robbed the house. During the night the
children made their escape from the
smoke house and gave the alarm to the
neighbon.
"Word was at once sent to Trenton and
Newbern and parties were started to fer.
ret out the murderers or pursue them.
Major Van Horn the commandan, Of ,hi.
post, at once sent detachment Of troop,
under command Of Il. Fletcher to h.
scene Of the outrage.
"sheritf Colgrove Of Jones county 4
also in pursuit.
"This horrible murder has caused Qres
excitement and gloom .hroughou. ,h'
counties bordering on the scene Of th,
tragedy, and the opinion ia universal ,ha
the most energetic steps should be taken
to punish the 6endish murd srers. Nc
steps, labors or money ought to be spar,
ed in the effort to bring these out.laws to
justice and it is to be hoped that reward.
will be offered to aid iu bringing them
to light.
"CoL Nethercutt was a gentleman in
middle age, who had served his Country
as Sheriff before the war and neld a DO.
s'tion as Major and afterwards as Colon q
10 the Confederate service. Many CON
fllcting ramors we're in circulation a. &c
the probable motive Of the murderer
but there can be no doubt, IL the above
report be true one, that robbery va,
their object. Col. Nethsrcut, has been ,
very quiet and psacesbls citizen since h.
close OF tie war, aud no act Of his sin CO
then could have made him an enemy
II will BE- remembered by our readers .hs
the Union soldiers who we're hung n
Kinston in 1854 were alleged deserter,
from Nsthsrcutta Battalion. The msr
alleged that they were recruited 9th tn,
understanding that they should no. b,
taken out Of the State and deserted wber
the battalion started for Virginia. Thi
unfortunate affair made enemies for Col
n, who was, however entirely bl.mele.
Tor the order which sent his command ou
Of the State.