Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-19
a BLooDr ExPIArIoN.

4 0OODL
! The BROTHER of Lon Porter, the ssuer
rilta, DeeOyed and Murtiered-Sys
teaiaiie Revenge for Lost Property
Tragic Scene 0n Country R0Rd.
Another Of those terrible tragedies which
have followed upon the late war, and ore
which, perhaps, for the cold-blooded sys-
tenn characterizing its execution, rivals
anything of the kind yet recorded, occur
red a few miles south of Jacksonville a
few days since.
During the war, the farmers between Big
Bottom and Waverly suffered greatly by
the depredations of guerrillas, losing a
large number Of horses, which were said to
have been stolen by Lon Porter, notorious
bushwhacker who infested that region at
the time. A brother of Lon was said to
have received and sold the stolen horses,
the proceeds being divided between the
two. For some time the life of the latter
has been threatened. The man he most
feared was desperate named Bill Pierce,
who lived but short distance from him,
and whose reputation did not in any way
serve to allay the fears of Porter.
On the day of the murder, six horsemen,
left Waverly together, armed with rifles
and shot guns, and followed BY a number
of hounds, as if on hunting excursion.
They took the road leading to Big Bottom,
and when part way they were hailed by
farmer, whoinquired if they were out riding.
They replied that they were going down
to Big Bottom, as they believed game to he
plenty there.
Arriving at the house of Bill Pierce,
they ascertained that Porter was at church,
and the whole party put up their horses
and took dinner, afterwards going to the
house of Porter, which was in sight, and
demanding to see him. Porter having re-
turned, came to the door, when one of them
in friendly way threw an arm about him,
saying, Porter. you must go along with
US; we have business with you"
AT this juncinre, Porter's wife came to
the door and said to him, You lad better
not go with these fellows. I know they
mean to kill you, and if you must die, you
might as we'll die here at home as in the
woods"
The horsemen returned that Porters
brother, Lon, was under arrest at johnson
vile, and that Porter was needed as q wit
ness.
To allay the fears of his wife, Porter then
said to her: You need not fear, these men
all know me, and they know that 1 never
had anything TO do with Ions doings."
With this, he mounted his horse and
Joined the party. suspecting nothing what
ever, but that all was right They soon
reached the forks of the roads leading to
Johnsonyille and Wayerly, but taking
neither, they started up an old and lonely
read, which had not been used for thirty
years, saying they had changed their
minds and would go on to Waverly.
This at once aroused Porter's suspicious,
and he declared they were taking him
somewhere that Bill Pierce might shoot
him. They quieted his fears, however.
aud all moved an until about half mile
from the forks, when one of them gave a +
low whistle, which was answered from a
clump of bushes near, and Bill Pierce
stepped out, leveled a gun, fired, and |
Porter dropped dead from, his saddle, the
blood streaming from a CHASTITY wound in |
his breast.
The body fell with heavy thug, and
the horse bounded away toward home, sad
die and skirt dripping with the life-current
OF the murdered man. A little boy, rela- |
tive of Porter, who had persistenfIy fol-
lowed him, and who had been whipped |
back by some of the party, saw the smoke
Of Pierce's gun, and that Porter had disap-
peared from the saddle. Realizing what
had occurred, he ran homeward as soon as
possible, and both the horse and boy being
met BY Clint and John Winfreys, who
lived not far from the scene, the boy related
to them what had occurred They at once
FASTENED to the spot, and on seeing the body
Of Porter reused number of neighbors,
who shortly after removed it.
Pierce and the balance of the party were
next day arrested, and preliminary exam
nation was held before Justice Ellis. Sub
'equent to this, Pierce obtained permission
to visit home, accompanied by guards, from
whom he managed to escape, and is now
At large. The others were to Dresden,
where it was to be decided whether they
should be admitted to bail.