Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-08
MURDER OF LIEUT.. WEBSTER
The spirit Of RadioaIism at work.

Perhaps all our readers have heard Of
the foul and unprovoked murder ofLieut.
Webster, Of Hawkins county, by the no
torious and infamous Bill Sizemore, in
Rogersville, on the oath Of last month.
We have seen and conversed with gen.
tlemen Of the county, and others who
were in Rogersville at the time Of the
outrage, and we know their statements
are to be relied on. The facts as we
gather them are as follows An unusual
number Of people from the country we're
in town that day, attracted generally,
perhaps, by the Masonic celebration Of
the birth Of St. John. In the afternoon,
about four o clock, the procession had
passed down Main street on their way
to the church, leaving probably two. hun
dred people standing about the court
house and the street in front of it. Lieut..
Webster was standing in the portico Of
the courthouse talking with some friends.
Sizemore, coming in from the street,
stepped up to Webster, took hold Of his
coat collar, and with an oath said he was
o Radical Webster placed his hand on
Sizemore's shoulder and replied; well,
more shot him-fring four times, three
shots taking effect--one in the heart, the
second little below, and the third lit
tie above the navel. Then holding Web.
ster by the throat he pushed him back
three or four steps against the court
house-We Webster's arms extended up
wards and outwards, and his hands open
and in rapid motion like wings Sheriff
Beale, who witnessed the whole affair,
then took hold of Sizemore, and when
he pulled the miscreant back, Webster
fell back full length, dead. He uttered
no exclamation nor syllable One would
naturally suppose that some dreadful
feud had existed between the parties be-
fore; or, that fierce alteration and
fearful threats had preceded the terrible
tragedy. But no. There was no quar-
rel previously and no alteration beyond
what has been narrated above. The
people stood as If stunned with horror
at the bloody sight, or as if paralyzed
with fear Of the cruel monster. III,
One man alone yentured to raise his
voice against the inhuman butcherY.
1t Thurman remarked that things had
come to nice pass if man is to be shot
down like dog for simply expressing
his continents; and he found instant
cause for seeking the shelter of one of
the large brick pillars OF the portico, for
Sigemore brsndished his pistol and was
about to assault Thurman, who, like
Webster, was unarmed. Do you not
suppose, good reader, that the murderer
was speedily sent to prison" Not ex-
actly-he was too loyal, too Radical, Of
too much Importance as the "big Ike 7
of the party, to be subjected TO such in.
dignity as that He was put. in charge
of his own brother and two or three Of
the League, who accompanied him to his
own house, snd-is it not surprising p?
about bed time he escaped from the
guard and is now at large. This is the
eighteenth man murdered by this incsr-
nate fend called Bill Sizemore And
who is he7 deserter from the rebel
army-a murderer of Union men at the
beginning of the war, cold blooded
murderer of old men AVID boys during
tho war, and brutal murderer of Union
men since the war Bill Sizemore after
deserting the rebel army, became cap
tain of Union scouts, and murdered
prisoners that fell into his hands with
shocking .barbarity. E,&
The murder of Webster was without
the shadow of provocation-foul, unmit-
igated and cruel, And what are the au-
doing towards his arrest
have they advertised him as fugitive
from justice2 Have they set afoot any
measures for his re-capture? What is
to be done2 We pause for reply
KnoIUtlle Press,