Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-15
CAPTAIN WIN. HATHAWAY.
Tragic Fate of the Perpetrator of
twenty-five Murders = Retrfbu-
afAn nj

From the Nashville Banner. llth.l
Capt. VIM. Hathaway was shot and
killed, at Liberty, DeKalb county, by
Constable James Overall, last Tuesday.
Hathaway had imbibed freely and got
very drunk over the election, and had
become so boisterous that serious com
plant was made by the citizens of his
conduct. All regarded him as despe-
rate and exceedingly dangerous charac-
ter. and we're fearful that he might com
nit some bloody deed on the least provo
cation. Constable Overall was, there
fore. much condemned by the people for
not arresting him; and, discovering the
prevalency Of this sentiment, went to
Hathaway and commenced to expostu-
late with him, telling him that if he did
not desist from such .disorderly conduct
he would be necessarily compelled to ar
rest him. 1t appears that Overall had
scarcely finished what he desired to say,
when Hathaway commenced drawing
his pistol. Overall, observing this, got
his weapon out first and shot Hathaway
three times, killing him almost instantly.
The death of such a desperate crea-
ted a general sensation, and we suppose
there were few among the people who
experienced feelings of regret, for this
man had exercised great terrorism in
DeKalb county for many years past.
Not breath Of sympathy escaped the
lips of those who stood around the dead
man.
He is supposed to have been the mur-
derer Of twenty-five men. At the time of
his death he had three indictments
against him for heinous offences. He
murdered man named Henry Frazier
only n year ago, very badly beat up
Dr. Campbell, not long since, and shot
at John White six times, sometime du-
ring the past month.
Hathaway figured extensively as a
Lieutenant in Stokes cavalry, and is
said to have committed many bloody
deeds during the war. When Brownlow
organized his militia, he was given a
captaincy and company. He was one
Of the instruments used in ousting ex-
Mayor W. Matt Brown from office, three
years ago, TO give place to Alden and his
associates.
Hathaway was a prominent delegate
to the memorable Radical Split Conyen-
ton, which assembled in the hall Of the
House Of Representatives, May q, 1869,
out of the chaotic disruption Of which
came the relief Of the people from the
shaekles OF Acknowledgement He was
one of the principal actors in the shifting
scenes with which that convention was
characterized. At one time, when Cate,
Pearne and Butler hung over the
Speakers desk, disputing the right to
the chair, and amidst tempestnous up
roar, Capt. Hathaway, half intoxicated,
with his form half bent, hair disheyeled,
and his hand raised toward the blue en-
pyrean in an attitude Of entreaty, made
use of the following characteristic ex-
pressions:
If you go into discussion you will
never get out Of il. Don't 20 into II, now
don't. / appeal 10 you as lovers Of the
Republican party. Here's talent that
outWaigbs the world. Laughter and
tremendous cries of order II you want
/ 10 elect a rebel 20 in and do it, ICON
tinued cries Of order have fought the
thing, in and out on the line, and hate
TO see such a id division. We have
had enough of this Cd id slang.
/ want you 10 understand, gentle
men, continued the militiaman, that
I've got a melt in my body big enough to
wrap twice round my spine and tie in a
knot, with the ends tapping the calves 81
my legs. and Cd d-n if / can be
howled down by any living set Of men.
In addition to and in eorroboration Of
these statements, detailed to US By per-
sons from that neighborhood, we have
received the following:
LlEEETY. November 9.
To the Editor Of the Banner
DEAR SiR: On last evening, W. l..
Hathaway 1.-THE murderer Of Henry Fra
zier, Esq. came to this place and CON-
mitied some violation Of the corporation
laws. The town constable, James II.
! Overall, took with him one man good
and true), NJ. c. Wick, and attempted to
arrest him or did arrest him, and at
tempted 10 take his arms from him,
whereon Hathaway violently tore loose
from them and made an attempt TO draw
his pistols 10 shoot them (which he had
threatened to do II they attempted TO
arresi him, whereupon they shot and
instantly killed him.
We clip the following additional par
/ ficnlars Of his death from the Lebanon
Herald Of yesterday:
LIBEKTY, November s. 1870.
To the Editor Of the Heraldi
W. L. Hathaway was drunk and very