Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-03-16
killing Of Pat Inman, near Muir.
frceSbore'.

killing 81 Pat Inman, near Muir
freesbsre'.
We haze been favored with a proof-slip
of the following account of the killing of
Pat Inman, Constable in the Eighth (Sul-
phur Spring. District, of this county, was
shot and killed last Saturday night at the
house of Mr.. Berong. two miles north of
this city, on the Lebanon Turnpike, by
two negro men, named Wiley Kimbro and
VIM. Kimbro alias Miller.
The shooting occurred about twelve
o'clock at night, and the contents of two
loaded muskets were fired into the breast
of Mr.. Inman, killing him instantly. Mr..
Inman lay upon the spot where he was kill
ed. guarded by the two negroes, until eight
was sent for and held an inquest upon the
body.
When discovered IN the morning, the
body was to some extent disguised his
pants being turned wrong side out with a
white coat on, of hunting shirt pattern,
trimmed upon the wristbands and collar
with red. There was no mask or disguise
! about his face or head. His hat was found
in his pocket. As to whether he was dress
ed in this garb after being killed, or had it
on before, is believed and stated both ways,
but the fact of his person having been
robbed by the negroes after the killing.
creates strong suspicion in the minds of
many that he was dressed after the tragedy
in this style, to make it appear in the light
of a Kuklux AFFAIR.
The two negroes do not bear the repu-
tation of being the best of their race, but.
on the contrary, have publicly made
threats against Mr.. Berong, and others
with whom they have had dealings. The
negroes state that Mr.. Inman demanded
admittance in their house, and was endeav-
oring to break in at the window when they
fired.
They were brought before Esqrs. Clark
and Hicks on Monday evening, and after
hearing the case, they were discharged as
justifable in the killing. A UNION MAN
AND RADICAL OFFICE HOLDER.
We state for the information of those
who do not know Mr.. Inman, that he was
always regarded as a Union man, from the
beginning of the war, and was never in the
lCUC1 d NY VI III III
with it. He did, however, act as an agent
for the United States Government in the
purchase of supplies for the army while
they occupied Tennessee. He was elected
to office when Brownlow was Governor of
the State, and when none but truly loyal
Union men, could hold Office, and the
charge or assertion of a rebel Kuklux' be-
ing killed is ~unfounded and false.
Mr.. Inman has a large circle of rela-
tives in the country, and leaves a wife and
four children. He was strong in his at
tachments, true to a friend and oatspoken
to an enemy.
Reliable and influential citizens of
Rutherford County assure us that the ac-
count given by the News is substantially
correct. 1t seems, however, although the
Kimbros had beer fully acquitted by the
examining Magistrates, and notwithstand-
ing that, according to the Murfreesboro
Monitor, public sentiment justified the
killing as an act of self-defense, they were
induced to believe by their Radical advis-
ers that it was not safe to remain at home.
They accordingly came down to Nashville
and made such representations to the Fed
eral officials that a force of twenty-five
soldiers was sent up to Murfreesboro We'd
hesday evening. The troops found every
thing quiet, no bad feeling between the
whites and blacks-no indications of a
threatened war of races. Contenting them
selves with making one or two arrests, at
the instigation of Inman's slayers, they
returned yesterday morning. bringing back
James Berong, who was arraigned before
United States Commissioner, Goodwin,
shortly after his arrival, on the charge of
''conspiring with others and going in dis
guise on the premises of Wiley Kimbro,
with the intent to injure, Cypress, threat
en- and intimidate Kimbro and others, and
with intent to prevent them of their rights
and privileges guaranteed to them by the
laws and Constitution of the United States
as set forth in section 6 of an act of May
81, 1870" In default of $4,000 Berong
was committed.
But the matter was not to stop here
Edward Arnold, Sheriff of Rutherford
County, reached town by the afternoon
train, and was very soon afterward arrest
ed. He was taken before the United
States Commissioner and gave bail to the
amount of $1,000 for his appearance, with
j. +. Dromgoole and ID. III. G. Spence, of
Rutherford. as his securities.
Notwithstanding the apparent effort to
make political capital out of the circum-
stances which led to Inman's death, we
refrain from comment until action has been
taken by the Federal authorities. The
examining Magistrate justified the killing
and this has been followed up by the Muir
freesboro Monitor, in an emphatic denun-
citation of the violence attempted by In
man and his confederates. Throughout
Rutherford the occurrence is deeply de-
plored and the participants condemned
Are the ends of justice to be further met
by the use of the bayonet, or the transfer
of the investigation to officials here, who
have a partisan interest in making the
case wear the darkest possible aspect? We
think not.-Nashviue Banner.