Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-09
THE NEELEy's BESDOUTisAGE.
FIFIFHW Il XE
Arflalsof tne case. As1
MurderOus Assault ON a Man over
30 Years of Age.
Threo Negroes Arrested and Conn
NINA AtlA rnitted.

lars ATTENDING INC uukGSAo
upon white man PANIED John oanoers,
at Neely's Bend. 1t was then stated tnas
three negroes, named Jonn 9onhson'
Elizabeth johnson and Charies O,afK, Nv
ing On Mr.. Sanders place, mad oeen az
rested, charged not only with assault Win
intent 10 commit murder, but with larceny
and arson.
The case was brought yesterday before
ESquires Cassety and Wherry. Mr.. John
Sanders, the man upon whom the assault
was committed, appeared IN court yester-
day with his head bandaged up, and
large patch upon his LETT cheek, showing
evidences of severe treatment.
Mr.. Sanders is an Irishman, over ninety
wears of age, and though feeble and suf-
fering from his injuries. gave quite
lengthy testimony. He lives at Neely's
Bed, on the Cumberland river, some
twelve or thirteen miles above Nashville,
in the 10Th civil district OF Davidson
county. He stated yesterday on the trlai,
that John johnson and Elizabeth Johnson,
his wife, Tired in his (Sanders) kitchen,
and thst Charles Clark slept In his (San-
ders room, near the fireplace. There
was no white person on the premises ex-
cept witness On the night of the as
ssalt. 1.-THE 26th of February last,) the
witness was looking for his son. Sanders
woke ND before o'clock and looked out
at the door, and says that he saw johnson
and his wife setting Gre to his (Sanders)
harm Witness then called up Charley
Clark and told him that the crib was on
fire. and also told Charley to go out and
LET ont the mules. Charley said he was
uniting on his shoes Sanders then went
ont doors and told johnson to let
the mules ont. johnson said that the
fire was too hot, but told Sanders to
| "come and see." Sanders went out tur-
ther and after he had gone few steps
| from the house, johnson came up to hun
| and struck hun on the left cheek with
rock which johnson held in his left hand
Sanders turned and started fer the house,
when Johnson threw a rock which hit him
in the hack of the head. Sanders, when
asked if he could identify johnson, said
that the fire from the burning barn aud
stable made it very bright, SO that ne
| could see almost as well as he could IN The
| dav time. and he swore that johnson was
the man who assailed him. After the as
| SAINT Sanders went back to the house and
looked at his clock, and 1t was five mil
utes IF er three o'clock IN the morning.
Before going ont he put $3.50 under his
| inflow. and when he came back 1t was
eope. He asked Charley if he had taken
# and he said no. The negro woman
| came in and offered to wssh Sanders face
| and he would not let her. Sanders said bt
believed that the negro woman took LII
money. as she had an opportunity OF steal
ING the money bat johnson had not.
N Zach Steele testified that he arrested
the negroes on Sanders place; they d,
| not endesvor to escape from him.
Isasc Hudson. who lives in Nicely berd
from three to four hundred yards iron
Sanders place, testified that he saw tn
light from the burning building, and wen
over to Sanders house between four All
3 five o'clock, and the barn was still barr
inc. Sanders asked him to stay with hin
and he remained till about daylight. Whe
he first went to the house be called ou'
and johnson and Clark came out ''fror
| somewhere about the house" He aske
, them where M. Sanders was, and the
| said he was in the house. The only pa
ties witness saw were the three defendant
| and a little negro child. AfOer breakfas
: | witness returned to Sanders house, an
Sanders accused johnson of burning
| earn and S2lQ some VI tn6 LoSiOCo 10
taken his money. He did not remembt
: exactly, but thinks Sanders accused II
, negro woman of taking his money.
Charles Clark, one Of the defendant
testified that he lived with Sanders. U
| the 2Gth of Feb, johnson came from Mas
vile. AID johnson said that Sanders to
: him to cut some wood, and he refuse,
: The old man then asked him to feed Il
: COWS. johnson went, but soon came bac
. and told Clark that Sanders told him
= 90 back, and said also that Sanders "
= fractions" and that he (Johnson) did,
= like to stay with him. johnson told Ola
g that he would catch Sanders out SOL
night and throw a sheet over his face al
whip him. This was on Sunday, and ii
night the assault took place.
e The court, after elaboration, found
l. follows:
n johnson is guilty as charged, of assa'
with intent to commit murder.
, johnson and wife and Clark are guilty
,. to larceny of money.
johnson and wife are guilty as to arse
- Each of the defendants was required
give 81, 900 bail for their appearance
= fore the Criminal Court. Failing to
u this. they were committed.