Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-07-27

..l -r 80
From the Springfield Mo- Leader -
The Infamous Monks is at his old
tricks again in Howell county. A
Gentleman in the city from West
Pains Yesterday gives US the following
particulars of q disgracefnl affair
which occurred in that place on the
.Sth inst. 1t seems that a DR.. r. X.
BeIden, formerly physician in New
York, recently located at West Plains,
and commenced the practice Of his
profession in that place. During the
month Of April he rented and moved
into a house adjoining the residence
of William Monks. Shortly after
taking possession of the place, the
Doctor procured from New York and
Philadelphia valuable assortment OF
vegetable seed for his garden. Monks
had a dog which made a practice
of paying regular visits TO the
garden after the seed was planted and
Scratching them up. The attention
of Monks was repeatedly called to
this fact, by the doctor, and he was
requested over and over again to tie
up the dog, but to no purpose. Finally
the annoyance became so insuffar-
able that the Doctor was compelled
to inform Mr.. Monks that he would
shoot the dog If he continued to tres
Dr. pass any longer. To this threa. Monks
paid not the slightest attention and
on the Sth inst, the dog made his
regular visit to the garden and the
Doctor let him have charge of bird
shot from a musket which he had
loaded expressly for the purpose.
The ball then opened in earnest. In
less than an hour Monks had dozen
men armed to the teeth, drawn up
before the Doctors residence, who
swore that they would Kill the id
rebel s-n of a b-h on the spot. A
number of citizens interfered and
tried to preserve the peace,
but to no purpose. Monks in
sisted that the Doctor was a
Ku-KIux, and to prove it, pointed to
his uniform, which consisted, as it
happened, OF a dressiBg-gown and
smoking cap. Runners had also been
sent out for reinforcements, and before
midnight the gang had been swollen
to at least thirty, all armed with shot
guns, rifles or reyOlyers, who took up
q position around the Doctors house,
and commenced throwing stones and
bricks, breaking the glass and burst
ing in the door of the house, swear
ing they were going to kill the Doe
tor, and that if any of their number
was hurt, they would retaliate by
killing seventy-fve other rebels; that
they had determined TO clean out the
county. During the whole affair
Monks sat cody in the door of his
own house, and directed the opera
lions of his gang.
Matters went on in the manner as
described until about three O'Clock,
when a number of citizens having
lodged complaint against Monks, he
was arrested by the constable, while
the mob was permitted TO disperse on
promising to desist from further out
rage. The Doctor was also arrested
at the suggestion of his friends.
The trial of Monks took place the
following day. He was bound over
in the sum of 800 to keep the peace.
He refused to give bonds for a id
rebel," and in default of so doing was
ordered to the ROlla jail, for which
he was to have started on Sunday
last.
The doctor meantime gave the re-
quired bond and was released. No
less than fifteen of the most respect
able and substantial citizens of the
place offered TO sign the paper.
Monks, our informant tells US, is the
leader OF a sworn league, who follow
his directions in every thing. He has
repeatedly asserted that he would rule
or ruin the county. Having failed in
the former he now seems bent on ac-
complishing the latter. After his
arrest the excitement in the place is
represented as having been fearful
and but for the timely aid of Sheriff
Alsop, several of the most respectable
citizens of West Plains would pro-
baby have been killed by members
Of Monks band.
1t Is intimated that Monks intends
running again for the Legislature this
fall, and hence probably his desire to
render himself UNANIMOUSLY prominent
again in the county. DIR. Bslden,
our informant says, has been compell-
ed to leave.the county in order to
save his life. He also says Monks
and gang have sworn to kill four other
residents Of the place, if they do not
leave before July. These are MeSsrs.
HyRes and MeCown, lawyers, B. b.
Carter, a merchant, and DR.. George
Foreman,