Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-03-03
BY POPINACIz.

III newly settled countries there are
| generally, and very naturally, greater OPP
pyrtunities for the commission of crime
and more chances OF escape from the
penalties OF law. Though Mississippi is
said to be peculiarly law-abiding State,
and her citizens distinguished for decor
Gus conduct, yet wrhin her borders has
occurred the dark sad tragedy of the
Brankley brothers.
In Carroll county. at Winona, resided
their family, band of five brothers, char
acterized by unusual talent and enterprise.
Out Of these two emi9rated TO Texas; and
in Gonzales one of them became q success
full merchant, the rival of the wealthy
brothers, Bodzcll. He was a somewhat
wild dissirated man, but withal generous,
a liberal patron of the church and mas
ter mason. He was the first victim in the
family tragedy though his murder occur
rcd ont Of Mississippi. It happened ono
nj b: HAT one Of his Bodzeil rivals was
patrolling, ard coming up with negro
Of Blantley, gave him Il terrible drubbing,
exulting the while III tho chance Of in
dieting punishment on some Of the be
longings & BIantlcy and loudly express
sing iIl-will against him. A full report
was made TO hia master by the slave, and
the in.pu Isire gentleman sought the Bod
ZelPs III their store and called them to ac-
count for their language. An attack was
at nEce made upon him with fire
arms and ho staggered out, MORALLY
wounded. His murderers. through their
We aith and position, succeeded i'll Guiding
puI!itlmcnt, though popular feeling on
the subject was 50 strong as TO lead to sew
cral street fights, in one Of which the
youn", st, and al present solo surviving
brother, Abner Braotley, was shot through
the body.
This Mississippi tragedy has occurred
| since the war, aud includes two Of these
brothers and Il couple Of their cousins, Of
the eamO name.
Arnold Braniley, appointed Mayor Of
| WIuOna at the conclusion of our late Strug-
gle, was a man Of wonderful tact and
shrewdncaa. profC s8ional gambler, WHO
had paid his thousands and maneuvred
III many ways to keep out of the fight. In
this he WAS eminentIy successful and came
out at the close q rich and IOYU man. So
being the only person Of Intelligence and
ability Ill tho place, who could fairly and
squarely take the iron clad oath, he was
appointed mayor. He performed his du-
ties strictly and impartialIy, setting his
face particularly agains! the riotiDg and
drunkenness that prevailed among certain
reckless young bloods. These, prospect
i've of family or position, he SUNNI lrly in
CarCerated III the ca!aboOsc or town prison
for disOrderly behavior on the streets
Finally, for some very lawIess conduct on
iIA 0rf nj VOL ItCTf loa hall hos,
i'll bond Of twenty five thousand dollars,
to appear at Superior Court, when the
probabilities we're that they would be SEN
fenced to the penItentiary. He was warned
that his life was III danger, but being
a man Of considerable personal
pluck, notwithstanding his having
sbirAed military duty, he did not
allow himself to be deferred from at
tending to his business as usual. While
at concert, III company with his wife
and children, he was fired upon through
window, ono of the shots Intended for
him lodging i'll aud taking of lady's
| chignOn
The unfortunate Mayor was killed and
his wife and one Of his children slightly
noblest victim Of all. William B-antley,
the fourth of this doomed brotherhood,
commenced life as poor lawyer, and with
unprecedented rapidity gained popularity
and position. He was the flower of the
family, uniting to the genius and enter
prise of the others good, true heart
He entered the Confederate army as Cap
tain at the outbreak of the war aud went
up, SIT p by step, the ladder Of promotion,
fighting nobly at Shiloh, at Corinth, at
Franklin. at Lookout Mountain, and at
Murfreesboro', untiIa Brigadier Generals
stars glittered on his collar.
He was famed for his lawyerly skill III
ferretng out evidence in criminal cases.
He was present on the occasion OF Lis
brothers assassination, and at once set on
hension of the murderers. With his
usual penetration he speedily 'spotted"
the three rioters. whom the Mayors heavy
bond had made his pitiless and mortal
enemies. Sending the Sheriff and his
posse after them, the officers were told by
their aged father that his sons 'Were up
stairs" Attempting TO ascend, they were
peremptorily stopped by the determined
young men facing them at the head of the
staircase with double -barreled guns and
threatening to shoot them dead if they adj
vanced foot further. The officers were
inundated and retired, and soon after
Gen. Brantley received letter, warning
him that II he renewed his attempts to
BRING the assassins of his brother to JUS
tIce, his own lie would be forfeited. Con-
sldering himself doomed, Gen. Brantley
| made his will and set his affairs in order :;
yet, notwithstanding the agonized entrca-
ties of his wife, he took no precautions to
avoid his fate AS he was returning home
| wing him, just outside the suburbs, from q
ditch in an open field shot was fred
Dey gwine kill you Mass William"