Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1868-05-21
VOL. XV---N0. Il.
A True Story Of the Past.
LAFAYETTE SPRINGS, MIss..|
March 10 1850

Il March 18, 1868.
It was in the dark and bloody
} days of Murrill when his lines ex-
tended from the State of Georgia
to Texas-though he kept up con-
jstant communication with his clan.
In those days it was fatal for any
traveller to be found In his trail,
Especially west of the Mississippi
River. The incident that I am
about to relate, was related to me
the other day, by a friend who
lived in the country where it oc.
Icurred.
| A traveller to the West, cross
| ing the Mississippi river at Vicks-
burg, missed his route, and fell in
to, the Murrill trail. After tray
cling all day in the dense wilder
nees he began to have fears that
he was on the Murrill trail, but con-
cluded that he would push forward,
hoping he would come to some
settlement. Night came on; his
fears increased. At length he
came in sight of a light-he drew
near, and found it to be a neat
habitation, well fitted up for enter
tanning travellers. He called and
was very kindly received by his
host-so that all his former fears
were dissipated. His horse cared
for, himself refreshed by a bountiful
supper, he was easy for a short
time; but soon discovered signs
that he did not like. Strangers
kept coming in and going out :,
ne discovered them in private con-
sultations which he could not un-
derstand, and which served to in
crease his fears that he was
among "the Clan." Finally bed
time came on; he was conducted
to small office in the yard. The
office was neatly furnished, with a
good bed, wash stand, and other
equipments for a bedroom. He
was told by his host that "when
he retired to blow out the can.
dle." His host when leaving the
room closed the door after him
and locked it. He now fully saw
his situation. He felt as none
can realize but those in his then
He took the candle
and examined the room carefully.
lie found that the chimney was
sealed to prevent escape. No
windows to the room, and the
door locked. He now fully real
lzed his situation, and O. .lssher
examination under the beu, [
and behold Ia dead man!
Reader, can realize it?
What could he do2- What
would you have done2 Well read
'r, l will tell you what he did.
ne put the dead man in the bed
md covered him up, blew out the
'andle, and got behind the door to
await the entrance of the murder
rs. Finally they came, without
lights, armed with clubs. The door
pens, they enter softly, make
heir way to the bed: the man
lips out at the door behind them,
nd just as he turns the corner
f the Office he hears them strike
he dead man in the head, but he
Eas then making all haste for his
lfe. He left horse, bride and
addle and all his equipage be-
ind. He made his way back to
there he found friends to the
ause of humanity and Justice,
eported the facts, got assistance,
nd went back and arrested the
indiord, with others; which final
7 ended in the discovery of the
lurrill plot. They also discov-
red near that place a large grave
ard, in a thicket, where the MUIR
erers had been burying their .
cad for years.
The above narrative, says my
lformant, is true, as related to
lm by Major Wright, an old citi-
IN OF Arkansas. It lie further
'ated that manyof those bloody
lurderers were caught and hanged :
Ii finally the Clan was broken
p and scattered to the four
-inds. T. w. w.