Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-01-14
MOUNTAIN BRIGANDs.
Attempted Murder OF an East Tenncs5eean
He Eludes the scoundreIs, Fcur of whom
arc Arrested.

We heard, yesterday, narrative which, IN
poiut of thrilling interest e1cels the days Of
Murrel, Curry, and other noted mountain
brigands and murderers The statement made
to U.s. We are assured, comes direct from the
wife of the gentleman who SO narrowly escaped
being murdered in cold blood, and who wrote
her full particulars of the affair, though our in
formant could give neither the exact date or To-
cation Of the occurrence.
The hero of the adventure is Mr.. George
Susong of Jefferson county, who some time
ago drove a large number of hogs over into
North Carolina. About two weeks since, on
HE return home, night overlook him in the
mountains near the State line, and he was forced
to seek shelter in hcuss where entertainment
was promised. Mr.. Susong's suspicious were
aroused by seeing several roagh-looking char
aeters about tbs plsce-more than lie thought
lived there, or were required TO carry on the
business Of the hotel-yet as he could not frame
any reasonable excuse for leaving, and not
wishing tbs landlord to know he suspected any
thing, took matters coelly, and was shown to
his room, which his entertainers locked on the
outsida
Confirmed in his opinion, and being thus cut
of, Mr. S. looked about the room for some
means of escape Most probabably he was
armed, though We dc not know positively; but
one against half dozen was too great odds to
contend with if strategy could be made avail
able. The window not being deemed safe, trap
doors flashed across his mind but survey of
the floor convinced him nothing of the kind had
formed apart of the architects plan in building
the house. Another thought struck him be
looked under the bed and saw sight that al
most congealed the blood in his veins the
body of man with his throat cut from enc ear
70 the other!
Though sickened at the revolving spectacle,
he did notl lose his presence of mind, but rapidly
considered his desperate situation and the means
Of averting his impending doom His plan was
soon chosen, and, overcoming his repugnance.
he picked upthe bleeding corse Of the murdered
man and placed it on the bed, covering it care
fully. He then extinguished the light, and,
taking his position behind the door, awaited
results
The moments passed slowly, and seemed
heightened into hours, but about midnight
stealthy footsteps were heard approaching
door was softly opened, and Ave forms were dis
COiCEeC IN The uSckHeSS. VINO Wlln tEOleelcSS
footsteps approached the bed with cleaning
knives in their hands, thinking in few seconds
TO glut their thirst for blood, and satisfy their
greed for money they expected to obtain by the
foulest of clsims. Mr.. s. did not wait 10 watch
their movements, but slipped quietly out of the
open door and made his way from the premises
with all speed
Putting as great distate between him and
the blood-stsined portals of the den Of murder,
the next morning he found friends to whom he
related his experience Of the night before, who !
in force and succeeded in capturing |
four OF the scoundrels, and diigent search is be-
ing made for the fifth, who was still at large
The circumstances stated above, were told us |
by responsible gentlemen, who obtained his
from "a reliable source, and /
that Mr. Susong had received the letters from /
her husband, who was still in the vicinity where |
he so nearly met his death The first letter stated
the occurrences Of the fearful night, and the !
second his resolution to aid all in his power TO |
bring the villain. 10 justice and punishment for
fhci prirnes