The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-16
ASSASSINATION.

ParticuI"rs, Of the Murder of Colonel Crane by
Tie Hon. II. NJ. XerEer. ~
4 From correspondent who was sent TO
ascertain all the details of this tragedy which
occurred on the 9th inst in Jackson, Miss,
I've receive the following account
Yesterday Colonel Joseph G. Crane, q. s.
a., recently appointed Mayor of this city by
#General Ames, was assassinated on the street
.by the Hon. Ed. M Yerger. The circum-
tance which led to the perpetration of this
&most atrocious deed was the refusal on the
Hpart of Mr.. Yerger to pay his taxes. He had
#been notified several times and on each occa-
sion denied the authority of the Mayor to col
Xlect so Mayor Crane issued a warrant of dis
#tress and levied on his piano, which was to be
Hsold at public auction on the 10th to satisfy
Xth@ amount of said taxes Mr.. Yerger was in
M@mphis when the property was seized, and
&pn being informed Immediately came to
#Jackson, and meeting Colonel Crane on the
&street, said, Il want a settlement of that tax
d business. The Mayorrepled, ''Thisis no place
Ito talk of that matter; come to my office"
&1lr Yerger took no notice of this, but an
lnoyed the Mayor considerably by forcibly
rusting himself in front of him. Mayor
are stopped and said to Mr.. Yerger: Z"
spect you as a gentleman. and do not desire
have an alteration ON the street, / am un-
med, and desire to pass on Whereupon
Brger pushed Colonel Crane in the back, and
* Id, You Yankee -- --, you Shan't
- lie me- Colonel Crane turned to Yerger
&Snd said Enough of this, when Yerger i'm
#mediately drew his bowie knife and plunged
= into the breast of the Mayor, repeating the
blow five times. Colonel Crane tried at first
TO ward off ehe blows, but soon fell to the
ground without uttering word, and expired.
Merger made no attempt to escape
or did the citizens use any means
o arrest him. although the street was filled
With people at the time. He walked to his
esidence, followed by crowd of excited
egroes, who would have lynched him had
he slightest suggestion been made. A squad
# infantry succeeded in arresting him, and
conveyed him to the camp, where he was
placed in irons. On his way to the camp he
esired to hire hack, but General Granger
1formed him that the soldiers were walking,
nd he must walk with them. He also OBJ
ected to being placed in the guard-house,
but General Granger was memorable, and the
aughty Southron was compelled to yield
The Coroner held an inquest over the body,
nd, after examining large number of wit
( esses gave q verdict of murder Yerger will
( robably be tried by military commission.
During the war he served upon the staff of
eneral Breckenridge with the rank Of Colo
ell but was not especially distinguished for
ny deed Of daring. He has q great reputa-
on as a duellist and braggart, is possessed of
pmmanding personal presence, and is posi-
ly one of the finest representatives of the
bal Simon pure Southern aristocracy. He
YES in princely style, pays no debts, and is
bcognized as a blatant unrepentant unre-
Instructed Rebel.
Colonel Joseph G.. Crane was member of
he staff of General Ames, a man of extra
rdinary physique, very commanding, and
decidedly prepossessing. His great sense of
lstice wrung admiration even from those
iffering from him in politics. He was a
launch, uncompromising Republican, fear
SIS, and scorned to carry concealed weapons,
epending wholly upon his personal standing
fbr protection. Mrs. Crane, while looking at
the inanimate form Of her husband, said to
: General Ames, with all the earnestness of her
womans soul, General, slavery murdered
my husband, and l do hope that you will re-
= construct this State upon pure Republican
3 principles" Mrs. Crane Immediately left for
&the North, accompanied by Mrs. Jeffords,
I wife of Judge Jeffords, of the High Court of
Errors and Appeals. The body of Colonel
Crane will follow to-day, for his home at
y dayton, Ohio.
The city has been placed in charge of the
military to prevent any outbreak, which at
one time seemed inevitable. A meeting of
Kcitizens was held in the Senate Chamber soon
after the murder, and resolutions of regre
and coincidence were adopted. The better
class of the Southern people regret the occur
renee, while another class are loud in their
praise of Mr.. Yergers murderous work The
4 Union men are filled with horror, and de-
nounce the deed as an assault aimed at the
citadel of loyalty. Several have draped their
houses in mourning, and many flags are flying
at half-mast.