Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-03-24
Details Of the DarneII-Lane Az
- fray aud ats AUfaI Ter
niinatISn.
The COidest-bIaOded Murder on
-e Record.
Cause of the Feud.

"A lew Gays x the APPEAL gave lle
outlines Of 8 terrible affrsy which &C.
Cured on board the steamer Belle Mem.
Bhis, az Island No. Ten, on her upward
trip, which resulted in the almost instant
death Of three persons. We were unable
ct the time to give any details Of the
horrible affair, but on the down trip OF
the Belle Memphis yesterday we CLEANED
the following full particulars OF the
dreadful tragedy-One that we defy the
bloody annals OF the Southwest to furnish
q parallel for. For cold, calculating, de-
liberste, mereiless, wholesale murder, it
stands without 8 rival or an equal. But
the story needs NJ comment. No words
/ Of ours can add horror to the bloodhound
ling, narrowing truth:
When the Belle Memphis, on her up
trip a week ago to-day, made Stuarps
Landing, which is at the foot OF Island
No. Ten, on the Tennessee side, about
four O'Clock in the afternoon, three men
named Darnel came IN board. Two of
these were brothers named Henry and
Richard, and the third was a cousin
Of theirs, whose given name we could not
learn. They were armed with shot guns,
q circumstance which excited no suspi-
eion whatever, SO it is the custom, ss
cur readers know, to carry a rifle or 3
shot gun when going from q point on
The river tO. another.
The guns were deposited after the boat
got under way, in the corner of the cab
10, and one Of the brothers came up to
the clerks Office to pay the fare of the
party, stating that they were going TO
Greig's Landing, some six miles ado ye.
After paying the fare be remarked that
if the boat was going to land st Wat
son's Landing, some three miles above,
they would get CT there.
When the boat neared Wats0n's, the
attention Of the pilot was attracted to q
signal from a party consisting Of three
men, a lady, and q little girl, who apps
rently wished to get on board. A land
ing wss made, and one Of the gentle
men, who wss recognized by the officers
Of the beat as Capt. Robert Lane, csme
ON board, accompanied by 3 Mrs. Ell
wards and the little girl.
Mr.. Billy B.eBksT, the clerk Of the
Belle Memphis, went down the steps to
meet them, and took the little girl in his
arms, Mrs. Edwards aud Capt. Lsne
starting toward the steps some four
peces in advance of him. As they
the steps q gun was fired, and
Capt. Lane staggered and fell, exclaim-
bat the words, 40, my God" He
was shot throggh the breast, and died
instantly.
In an instant two more shots were
heard from the upper deck and Gull. Ed-
wards, one of tbs gentlemen standing on
the bank, and the husband OF MTs. Ed
fell MORALLY wounded. As the
first shot was tired, be Snd Clint. Lane
the other gentleman had drawn their
aud were stanGsng with them IN
- - - g.. rA,fa uaarA EraA 4
which killed Edwards. The first shot
was hred by one Of the DsTnells, sup
posed to be Henry, and the other by the
other two who had elEoWed their way
the crowd OF pass5 myers 70 the
guards, whence they did their shooting. |
Clint. Lane was not hurt by the hrst shor,
and Instantly returned the fire. a sec
ond voliey, however, bis arms, q
not being able TO defend himself hestOod
perfectly stiH, fronting his ~A4EFderers,
and received their third yolley, at which
he fell deaf.
The afsir OF GouTse threw the p2ssen.
gers and officers OF tins boat into the
excitement, amid which the
three Darnelis left the b0at-ETst, how
ever, going 70 the ~lifeless form Of Cap. !
Bob. Lane, aud to make sure Of their
work, laid a revolver sgainst his head
and blsW out his brains. Going on shore
they went t. the bodies Of the other
and Edwards sad did the sane
thing.
One Of The Darnells seeing Mrs. Ed.
who did not know her husband
had been killed, $50 quickly was this
sOrrid butcheFy GOasUmmated, weeping
the body Of Capt. Bob Lane, called
to her that she chad better save a
Ct those tears, and come on shore
and shed them Ovsr her damned dead
husband"
After waiting = few moments the three
nurderers cOJIiy left the landing aud
iissppeared-no effort bsing made to
arrest them-nOr has there been any
since. When the Bslle Memphis
down the river the three murderers
Fers at Point Pleasant Landing, sitting
,n horseback, end seemingly in high
dee owe something.
The origin Of tine feud which led to the
Array seems to be Of the most trivisl
character. II seems that some months
a negro, formerly 3 slave Of Gen.
DsrneIl, the father CT the two young
had committed some O6eDse against
1apt Lane, and he he had thrashed
i'm for IL. This bred " bad blood and
) few DAYS after the CecurreGG9 g quar-
-el took place between Clint Lane sud
gen, Darnelle, during which ID ok OAR
neIIo ierked Lanes pistol out Of his belt
and shot him thsSGgh tie body with il,
making 3 wound which ess4e near being
mortal, and from which he was just re-
covering Whsn killed.
All the parties connected in this hO-
rid affair are well knOwn hsTe, and have
hitherto borne q good reputation. Toe
Lanes are especially we'll known, The
'ather Of the two murdered men lives ut
Mitchell. IL, aud 3 brother is = banker
"a San ErApeiSoo-