The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-31

Close or the Career of n Negro Murderer
Dcspernd0 and RObber.
Bartlett (Tenn.) correspondence Of the Memphis A
laucne. Dec. 26.l

bartlett Tenn.) correspondence OF the Memphis Ava
lancne, Dec 20.
Our community was startled this morning by the
recital OF most nendish and dlaDO!lcai attempt
made upon the lie Of our fellow citizen, William A.
night, at twelve O'Clock. A negro named John M
Be VINO ma srent zines has been 1rHinv arnn
the premises OF citizens for several days past and t
appears he was determined to make raise" Of
money by most daring attempt TO take the life OF
peaceful, quiet citizen, whom he suspected OF having
money About twelve O'Clock last night John Bell pro-
ceeded TO the ginhouse Of Mr.. Miller, which Is within
100 yards Of his dwelling and fired 1t. lie then went
to the dwelling and stationed himself with an axe
behind large rosebush at the door, intending when
Mr. Miller rushed out OF the house to fell him with
bow OF the axe. But, fortunately, when Mr.. Miller
discovered the ginhouse on fire he went out by an
other door, and soon aroused all the hands upon Ills
premises
The would.be murderer made his escape, and, fear
Ing that he might be caught, started at brisk run
from the place. The moon was shining, and there
was sufficient snow upon the ground to track MIN.
The IRE collected several OF the neigbors, who
went to work TO discover the tracks OF the incen-
diary. This they did after a little search. The
negro came toward Bartlett at q double quick"
ana some apsen OF more al tue sI 1ee n pIr
reached the village he attempted To make such
movements thai his pursuers would be balied, but
his track the railroad below Bartlett, and pursued
with greater speed until they came upon him just at
Wolf river railroad bridge, where he was ordered by
the leader OF his pursuers TO halt He stopped aud
informed them tina. he would not be taken, but see
Ing so many around him Inc surrendered. Bell was
he confessed that his object was to murder Mr.. Mil
Ter as he ran out, and 60 into the house. break open
the trunks and get ali the money he wanted. He
confessed that his intention to murder Mrs. Mil
Ter, too. If she gave the alarm. When captured he
had the axe, which was Identified Dy the owner,
negro man, Crump, from whom Bell had stolen 1t
several days ago.
Yesterday morning (Christmas) the body OF negro
named George Biggs was found on the railroad,
about mile above Bartlett lying on the track; and
when the accommodation tram came along at nine
O'Clock, the train passed over 1t, severing 1t In
number oil places The officers oil the train thought
that the negro was drunk, aud did not see the body
In time to check up. The jury Of inquest saw that
the skull Of the unfortunate negro was broken IN;
aud II appears now that this negro, John Bell, killed
Biggs early yesterday morning Tor sum OF money
which Biggs had-ne having been paid or the day
prevlousand put the body ON the track Of the rail-
road to avoid discovery OF the murder. This much
John Bell confessed.
II is proper 70 state that the colored people Mr.
Millers place and others were ~ eager TO capture
Bell any, and they did good service In the chase
Bell begged II they would let him 90 to Memphis he
would get money enough to pay for the ginhouse
and the cotton burned. But the citizens thought IT
would be best to administer Judge Lynch, and Bell
Is now dangling from the limb Of o tree about 100
yards Of the place where the ginhouse stood, and
Jury OF inquest ID being held py II. W. Caldwell,
which think will read about like this:-"tohn Bell
q coored man, came TO his death by rope being
placed around his neck, which was fastened TO the
limb OF q tree by parties unknown-he having no.
thing 20 stand upon--consequentiy died, saturday
morning, ecember 20, 1887