The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1869-03-03
TFor the Herald I

Mr. EDIreR-I have just received from
my sister in Dyer Co., Tennessee, tile fol-
lowing account of an horrible affair ut
Dyersburg, which may be of interest to
some of your readers:
About the first of the month three of our
citizens, James Evans, Bud Evans and Giles
Moody, were beiug tried at Dyersburg,
charged with horse.stealing. 1t was sup
posed that they belonged to regularly Or
eanized band Of horse thieves and outlaws,
that have for some time been a terror TO
this section. Up to Friday night the trial
had not been concluded, and the prisoners
were remanded to Jail under the care of
Sheriff Shaw a a guard of seven men.
About one o'clock on Saturday morning the
Jail was quietly surrounded by body of
one hundred and fifty armed men, disguised
and commanded by three officers. One
half OF the mysterious visitors were on
horseback, the others on foot, all uni
formed in black, trimmed with white, each
man having broad white band around his
hat. Their appearance at the Jail was sud-
den, and the Sheriff saw at d glance that it
would be folly TO resist. He and his guard
surrendered, were politely relieved of their
arms, and they and the Jail keeper were
placed under guard in front of the mid
night cavalcade. The prisoners were taken
from the Jail, one at time, with their arms
tied at their back with long white rope
which trailed on the ground. They were
placed beside the Sheriff and his guard, and
all we're marched in front Of the men, who
had taken upon themselves the fearful re
sponsibility of booming three unfortunates
to an awful and violent death. The whole
band moved with death like silence through
the streets, until they reached the bridge
which spans the Forked-deer river at the
foot of the street. On the bridge they
halted, and gave the prisoners time 10 offer
up perhaps their first and last prayer.
Here the poor wretches prayed, We hope as
peui,ents, looked for the last time upon
the familiar scenes OF that beautiful spot,
and upon the full orbed moon, and star
ieweled heavens. Their prayers we're brief
Eight men to each prisoner were detailed
from the company, as exccutiorers. Moody
was taken to the little ravine near the
saw mill. James Evans at the mouth OF
the bridge, and Bud Evans at the foot OF
the street. Death like silence prevailed
until the signal was quietly given, the de-
tachments fired, aud two of the prisoners
fell dead, the other was wounded and ran
uttering most heartrending shrieks. He
was pursued and shot in front of Alfred
Stephens residence. The Sheriff and his
guards were now released, and the masked
horsemen who hao performed their dread
full work with such remarkable GOODNESS,
marched off with the utmost regularity and
military precision, not one Of them being
recognized.
Brownlow, our Governor, has promised a
commission, our County sent to Nashville to
give the authorities ass, rance that we did
not approve nor sanction such disorder, that
he will send no militia into our County, pro-
ltyided We can take care Of ourselves, aud
will behave ourselves. The commission as
sured him that we are fully able TO take
care of ourselves, aud Il at we will nse ON
best endeavors TO keep good order, whic!
he said was all be asked.
F.C.T.