Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-03-04
soMERY1LLE TRAGEDY. .
The sberir OF Fayetse county and
mr. word Arrested ana brougnt
20 MemDhis.

The sheriff OF Fayefte county and
Mr. word Arrested ana brougnt
60 Memphis.
The late fatal difficulty between Mr..
Nat Word and Mr.. W. H. Reeves, at
Somerville, is calculated to bring about
contest between the State and United
States authorities. Mr.. Word has been
indicted by the Grand Jury Of the Fay
cite county Circuit Court, and is retained
in Jail by Sheriff Hester. A squad OF
United States soldiers are in Somerville
under the direction of Deputy United
States Marshal Garrett, and a claim has
been made for the custody Of the pris-
oner. Captain Garrett is man Of
sense and Judgment, and will await in
structions from Washington before any
positive action is taken, other than to
make demand for the rendition Of the
prisoner.
United States Commissioner Morrison
issued FIVE warrants yesterday for the
arrest of citizens of Somerville, Tenn,
who are charged with obstructing United
States Marshal Reeves in the discharge
Of his duty during the late affair at Som
erville. With the prosecutions it is very
evident that little persecution is in
tended. The cases win be heard by
Commissioner Morrison on Monday next.
There is often little too much parade
and officiousness exhibited by United
States officials, from which, however,
there are several exceptions in this city.
LATER DEVELOPMENTS.
Since the above was written Deputy
United States Marshal S. s. Garrett ar
rived in the city, having in charge Mr..
Nat Word and Mr.. W. II. Hester,
Sheriff of Fayette county. Mr.. Word
had an examination yesterday before
Judge Flippin, of the Circuit Court,
and was admitted to bail. Immediately
afterward he was arrested by Deputy
U. s. Marshal Garrett, on the charge of
killing W. H. Reeves, while the latter
was attempting to serve and execute
capias or warrant for the arrest Of one
Mat Ward. There seems to be little
mystery connected with this proceeding,
which we will try to throw some light
upon: A warrant was issued blythe Clerk
of the U. S. Circuit Court for the arrest
Of one Mat Ward. This was placed in
the hands ofDeputy Marshall. G. Reeves,
who proceeded to execute it by arresting
Mr.. Nat Word. The record and writ
show the name to be Mat Ward, and
there is such man living near Somer-
vile. 1t also seems from the warrant
issued for the arrest of Mr.. Ward, that
Deputy United States Marshal ]. g..
Reeves must have deputized Mr.. W. ID.
Reeves to execute the writ after he Mr..
J. G. Reeves) had the conversation in
Trimbles store with Mr. Word. From
the records it is evident that Marshal
Reeves had no authority in the world to
arrest Word, but should have arrested
Mat Ward, and the whole thing of the
arrest and homicide originated in mis-
take made by Marshal j. G. Reeves as to
the tenor of his writ. The citizens against
whom writs were issued by the United
States Commissioner were N r. Word,
charged as above. Messrs. Frank Trim
BILE, G. W Starry, Sam Cooper and W.
H. Hester, Sheriff of Fayette county,
are charged with obstructing and resist-
ing G. Reeves, Deputy United States
Marshal, in the discharge Of his duty in
arresting one Mat. Ward To-day, Col.
Shelton appeared before Commissioners
Morrison for Mr.. Word, Sheriff Hester
and Mr.. Trimble-United States Dis
trict Attorney Hudson appearing for the
Government. Without entering into
any examination, the bonds of the par
ties were fixed as follows, and made re
returnable to the next term of the
U. S. Circuit Court, commencing on
Monday next. Mr. Words bond was
fixed at $4,000; Sheriff Hester and Mr..
Trimble each S25OO. The bonds were
given and the parties were discharged
from custody. Colonel Shelton informed
the Commissioner that Messrs. G. w.
Starry and Sam. Cooper would be down
on next Monday and give bonds. 1t
would be strange if it should turn out
that mistake in the names of Mat.
Ward and Nat Word was the cause Of
the deplorable tragedy.