Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-26
TERRIBLE HOMICIDE.
Particulars of the MurfreesbOro
Tragedy.
Literally Shot and Gut to Pieces.

Literally Shot and Cut to Pieces.
We published yesterday brief account
of the fatal bloody tragedy enacted near
Murfreesboro on Thursday last. 1t was
one of the bloodiest and most unfortunate
rencontres that occurred in Middle Ten
nessee for long time. We were yester-
day placed in possession of the particulars
of the sad affair, which we herewith fur
nish our readers. The affair resulting in
the killing of William Hall, occurred "a
miles from Murfreesboro, on the Lebanon
turnpike, near o'clock in the evening of
Thursday, the 23d inst 1t appears that
some two years since, J. W. Maynor sued
Taylor for SANDER, in the Rutherford Cir
cult Court, fixing damages at 1000 The
case has since been in the courts
and was on the evening of the homicide
decided in favor Of the plaintiff. Mr..
Hall, who was killed, was summoned as
witness in the case, though he was not ex-
amined. AT er the decision of the case,
the plaintiff, Mr.. Maynor, RENTED "a, 900
stating that he did not want Traylor's
money, that it was family character that
be wished to vindicate. 10 the evening,
after court, Mr.. Edward Traylor, bis two
sons, John and George, and John Brown,
nephew, started in carriage for home,
distance of twelve miles, near Old JEFF
ferson. A short time after, William Hall
and ]. ". Maynor left town on the same
road, they living out some eight miles.
After reaching a point a short distance
from town, Mr.. Taylor and his party halt
ed on the roadside, and waited until
Me Sis. Hall and Maynor had passed. As
soon as the latter had passed, Traylor and
his party again entered the road and fol-
lowed on. About two and half miles
from town, near the Sanford farm, they
over ook Hall and Maynor. John Trsylor
at once drew q revolver and commenced
shooting from the carriage at May1 or,
without saying word. Neither Hall u
Msynor were armed. Several shots were
fired at Maynor, he being on horseback
while the Traylors were in the carriage.
One of the shots struck Maynor in the right
arm above the elbow, inf citing a severe
flesh wound. Traylor then commenced
firing at Hall, who was also mounted. Hall
immediately dismounted and endeavored
to get hold of Traylor. Traylor then got
out of the carriage and ran into a cotton
field, Hall pursuing him. On reaching
the cotton field Hall caught his antagonist
and threw him down George Traylor
then ran up and stabbed him several times
wi b long bladed knife, five of the stabs
entering the cavity and penetrating the
vital parts. Either of five of the stabs
also shot Eve timer. Either of
produced death. One ball went through
e. II 4
penetrated the left side through the ribs,
and the other entered the left breast near
the heart. Literally cut and shot to pieces,
the poor man, lace ated with lead and
steal, soon gasped his last breath. Soon
after the homicide the Sheriff of Murfrees-
boro was notified, and a posse was dis
patched to spprehend the Tr4yloIs and
Brown. They, however, succeeded in
making their escape. Mr.. Ed. Traylor, the
father of George and John, was arrested
while at home, but has since escaped, and
the whereabouts of none of them are now
known. Ed. :Traylor and Mr.. Hall were
brothers-in-law, and the families were on
pleasant terms until recently Great ex-
element prevails in the vicinity, and $400
reward have been offered for the appre-
tension of the parties to the killing, or
800 for either of them.
The parties charged with the killing are
thus described: John Trsylor is about 5
feet II inches high, weighs AS pounds, "a
years old, sandy hair, face slim and in
clined to red, somewhat stoop-shouldered.
Geo. Traylor Is about feet 8 inches high,
weighs 100, age %, light hair, somewhat
curly, high cheekbone, broad face. John
Brown ia about 5 feet 8 inches high,
weighs 100, age %, hair very light,
''down" upon his face, had on whea he
left full suit of brown jeans. Ed. Tray
lor is about 5 feet or inches high,
weighs about $50 or $50 pounds, is about
so years of age, light sandy hair and bald
headed, face inclined to be red, stoop-
shouldered, and was dressed in common
homemade grey jeans clothes.