Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-05-18
ICoNNuSIoATED.1
Mobocracy in Roane.

LnUDoS, Tenn, May lOth, 1871.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: A quiet young man
and unofending citizen, son of Mr. Thomas
Russell, the Postmaster of our town, was attack
ed on the platform of the drug store of Blair u
Common, by one - Loudermilk and two others
in company-Tueker and Sam Toliver. The
latter was in the rebel army, and the others
rebels. Young Russell crossed the mountains
into Kentucky with his father during the war.
Russell, without any knowledge of a preeoncert-
ed attack being attempted, passed out of the
door upon the platform, and when walking near
the end of the platform, was followed by Lou
dermilk, who drew about two-pound rock
from his pocket and struck him between the
shoulders, near the nape of the neck, knocking
him down off the platform; he then drew pis-
toll, and pointing it at Russell swore he would
shoot him, but was prevented Young Russell
was lifted up by his friends. but was unable to
sustain himself from the severity Of the blow.
Though on the streets now, he is still suffering
from the injury received.
Loudermills and his party Immediately left
town, in a very defiant, uproarous and threat
enipg manner, hurrahing for JEFF Davis and the
Southern Confedercy, damning the United
States Government and laws and firing a num-
Der of pistol shots, some of them into the yards
of private residences, thereby endangering the
lives of women and children. AS they passed
the residence of RusselPs father, they swore
they had done the job for one id Radical, and
they would serve more in the same way. They
left, unmolested. for their homes near Pond
Creek
The next day Mr.. McElhany, an officer, and
three resolute citizens as guards, went for their
arrest. They came upon Tucker and Toliver,
arrested them, and leaving one guard with each
of them, proceeded TO arrest Loudermilk, whose
house was near by. A citizen and friend of
Louderrnilk's learning the facts, mounted a
horse and preceded the guard at fast speed, and
notified Louderrnilk to make his escape, which
he did. When they returned to where they
had left the prisoners, they found that the guard
had been overpowered and the prisoners releas-
ed, by friends coming TO their rescue placing
pistols in their hands, and urging them to shoot
the guards. They are still at large as outlaws,
and are protected violators of the safety, life
and liberty of loyal and law-abiding citizens.
On the above outrage leave the reader to
make his own commentaries; to reHecthonestly
and dispassionately, and AJAX himself the ques-
ton, which, under the present regime-with
the amended and vitiated laws upon the
statute-book-is most respected, statute or mob
law? "Argun,entuns 6acnlinun,."
/ have no doubt the journals who advocate
the present party in power in Tennessee, will be
somewhat exercised on reading the above out
rage, and probably will carricature it as a CHI
mera of the BRAIN mares nest" or n raw
head and bloody bones" to divert public atten-
ton from the prevalence of this and similar
crimes.
In conclusion, l would remark, if necessary
TO dispel any doubts that may be attempted to
be created as to the outrage and facts above,
irreproaehable names can be appended.
prrT1Tr TTg