Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-11
MYSTERIOUS MURDER.
A Well Known Citizen Found
Dead in the Road near Bar.
dis. MississiPpi.
His Head Pierced by a Bullet
Supposed Homicide Arrested.

ing by most shocking tragedy whose
mysterious circumstances have materi-
ally added to the general horror Late
in the afternoon DIR. A. M. Settle, well
known in this city, and an old mah
named Anthony Foster, left Sardis, on
their way home, each residing a few
miles from the town. They were mount
ed, Settle on a mule and Foster on a
horse, and were met by several parties
when half mile out. A little before
dark some boys walking to Sardis saw
the body of a man lying in the road !
beside it stood mule. An examination
revealed the body to be that Of DIR. Set
tie, who was personally known to the
boys. The appearance Of the body as 1t
lay in the road, and the proximity Of the
animal, induced the boys to believe that
the Doctor had been thrown by the ami
NAL and stunned by the fall. Ia the ex'
citement they failed to discover any
blood, and had they done so would doubt
less have attributed it to the fall Turn
ing the body over they discovered that
the heart had ceased to beat. The boys
now proceeded to the nearest house and
communicated the facts to the Foccu-
pants. A short time afterward con-
veyance was procured and the body taken
to Sardis. Here it was examined by u
physician, who at first adopted the opin'
ion of the boys that the Doctor had fallen
from the mule and broken his neck; but
finally discovering that the hair at the
back of the head was saturated with
blood, he made more critical investi-
CATION. A bullet hole, evidently pro-
duced by the ball of a deringer pistol,
was found, and the horrible truth flashed
upon the minds of the spectators that
their old friend had been murdered.
The ball entered the back of the head
and ranged downward toward the stom-
ach, doubtless instantly producing death.
The deceased was well known to nearly
everybody in Sardis and tie county, and
was universally popular. AS the news
spread the most intense excitement was
produced, and people hocked by scores
to the scene of the tragedy. 1t was
known that DR.. Settle and Mr. Foster
left the town together late in the after.
noon. They we're intimate friends, and it
was beyond belief that the latter could
have been the author Of so foul crime
He was not present when the boys found
the body he had evidently gone home
after the tragedy. The two were seen
together only a short distance from where
the murdered man was discovered. This
was a strange circumstance. Had DR.. Set
tie been shot from the roadside it would
have been natural for Foster to either
remain with the body or give the alarm.
Neither was done; and the range Of the
ball rendered it conclusive that the Doc.
tor had been shot by some one
on horseback. These facts and
probabilities were hurriedly reviewed
by the excited populace, and it was re-
solved to arrest Foster, A civil
officer and posse arrested the suspected
man that night, finding him, we believe,
at home. The purport of his statement
if be gave any, we have not learned. We
hope the examination will result in the
establishment of his innocence Of the
terrible crime which circumstancial evil
dence has traced to his door. He is an
old, esteemed citizen of the county He
and DR.. Settle had been intimate friends
and neighbors for many years, and it was
known they had been much together that
day. Unless a quarrel originated near
the fatal spot, and the shooting was
done in moment OF excitement, there
could have been no possible motive for
the crime.
After Fosters arrest, the officers Of the
Freedmen's Bureau claimed the prisoner,
and wrested him from the civil authori-
ties. He was sent to Grenada, and after
wards returned to Sardis, where the case
is now undergoing examination.
DR.. Settle was an old resident of the
county, and very we'll known in this city.
He was quiet, inofensive, and probably
did not have a personal enemy in the
world. He was one of the most genial
men we ever knew, never failing to make
a favorable impression upon all with
whom he came in contact