Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-20
+ lNION AND AMERICAN
SHELBYVILLE.
Items from BedfOrd-FinnnciaI Pres
sure, Criminal Trials, ReVivals,

HuIcs 1GibASs ACNkNal5P
Marriages, etc.
To the Editors of the Union and American:
SHELBYvILLE, Tenn, Dec. 10, ISL
Bedford county is alive these days, and has
been for the past month or two. The
country people come 10 town every Satur-
day, and in crowds on the first MONDAYS.
FOL The first Monday in this month a stranger
might have concluded the county was being
sold out. BY virtue of the situation" for
several hours we were compelled to listen,
'inolens volens," to the labored cry of the
auctioneer selling under the fiat of an exc
cution, stocks, Glands, tenements and he
reditameuts," to ratify the relentless de-
mands of the law, alias insatiate creditors.
So you will understand that the ANNA
ton which makes Bedford seem unusually
adliUe these days" paTtakes somewhat of
the nature Of death-struggle! 1t is fortu-
nate for the sorely pressed debtors of these
"hard times" that Imprisonment for debt
a relic of Feudal oppressiOn-ls not a part
ofthe law ofthe land. There is cry of finan-
ciai pressure everywhere just now, and the
unlueky Bedfordites have the extra burden
to bear of building a costly Courthouse; and
no wonder the taxpayers groan. Alb, what
q luxury il is to be a poor man and the
owner Of no property at such time! But
we hope the crisis has passed, and better
DAYS are at hand. And since the ''undying
Prince of Wales" is rapidly recovering lce
have ceased to apprehend the "Train' Of
events, resulting in ruinOus financial crash
in 1872, predicted by George Francis Train
@ = CIRCUIT COURT.
The cold weather has not frozen up the
avenue to justice. The doors of her time
honored temple stand open. For two
weeks past the machinery of the Circuit
Court has been m0ting vigorously under the
clear heads of Judge Williamson and Chan
cellor Marks, both of whom have proven
themselves emuently fitted for the
bench. The former came in last
week during the sitting of the
court, and relieved the latter for
several days. The contrast in the
characters of these two able jurists is nota
bic. Williamson is quiet, and mild as the
May morning, moves slowly, listens atten-
lively tOthe argument Of counsel upon le-
gal questions, celebrates, and decides.
Marks is rigid, and emphatic, works with
vigor, decides with a vim, and cuts of de-
bate '.sGns ceremonies" Both are .frm,and
implrtially dispense evenhanded justice.
During the first week several cumbersome
civil suits were tried.
LE Dthlt dbAhEl3 d. NAoNlsAl 10 nav A1eho
commenced over a week, and is not yet
half disposed of. Ed. Hilton and Tom
Jones were tried last week for the killing of
Mi. Burke on the Public Square in Shell
byville, nearly twelve years ago: Jones
charged as accessory before the fact" For
several years prior to his death the deceas-
ed was proprietor Of hotel in Shelbyville.
The jury brought in a verdict Friday night:
''Jones, not guilty. "Hilton guilty of man
slaughter penalty, three years imprison-
me It in the Peuitentary. Hlton's counsel
argued self-,lefense, and will move for
new trial. Court adjourn
ed early Saturday morning and convened
Yesterday al 1o'clOck. Several misdemean-
ors we've tried yesterday afternoon.
This neutrality-suspicious. are being discussed.
The mos. important criminal cases yet to
be tried are the state vs.. Chambers and
Maupin, the State vs.. Covington, charged
with murder in the first degree; and a num-
Der of cases growing out of what is known
as The ..Richnond fight" If these cases
are not they will consume the rest
of the term, and the unfortunate parties to
civil suits will have to await the coming of
April Court for settlement OF their diff
culties.
The State docket must be tried first, the
majesty If the law claims precedence for
criminals.
THE PORK HOUSE.
Nessgs. Barrett d Settle have closed their
bloody warfare and made peace with the
hos The present; or rather declared an
armis'i,a until next fil; when we pre-
same l.a,lilities will be renewed. During
the winter campaign over eight thousand
hos were slain. They grant no quarter
prisoners are all executed without mercy.
RELIGIOUS.
4 ye-y interesting revival is in progress
at ne Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Rev. {. T.. Mayhem was here last week and
did goo work Rev. w. d. F. Sawrie has
been here nearly week, and breaches
every night with increasing power and eff
feet. Last night there were twenty-five
peuiten.s at the altar, and over forty have
alr,ady protested faith in Christ, and still
the good work goes on increasing in in
terrst.
HYMENEAL.
I.ast Thursday, at o'clock, p. NJ, our
friend, D. G. Shapard, of this place, was
united in holy wedlock to Miss Matte Al
len daughter of Mai. William Allen, one
of BedfOrd's best men. Dave is boy OF
sold worth, aud has chosen for his wife one
well worthy 10 walk by his side, and be the
lors-light of his heart and home Long
NAV they live and love each other.
They saw we are upon the eve of other
ms riaoes, bat 'twould lie unsafe to publish
such s.uncertai lin affairs" until after the pub
lie ceremony has made binding the VOWS.
CHRISTMAS.
Shelbyvile promises to be unusually gay
during Christmas week. a number Of
youag lady visitors are expected from
Nashville, Columbia and other parts, far
an near, ana the young folks anticipate a
general jubilee. lTEMIlER.
CYCLoNES-It is now thought that the
cyclones of he Bay Of Bengal and the
Southern Indian ocean originate IN the
~ ..;,,s of ia trade-windS of the North