Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-09-18

DOyQ OIUCe.
REAGAN'S TESTIMONY.
Reagan stated that he had been living with
| Boyd at Sweetwater and was on intimate terms
! with him. On Wednesday morning between 8
! and O'clock he and Henseley started in bug
| gy for the mountains for the purpose of sum-
moning witnesses for Boyd whom they expect
| ed to meet at his fathers at Mount Vernon but
when they arrived no one was there except
colored girl. However, Ms. Boyd Mrs.
| Spillman came in shortly after, and there they
| stayed all night
On Thursday they vent to the residence of
Mr.. Hawkins, where they spent the night, re-
| tuning on Friday morning to the residence of
| Col. Boyd, where they were joined by
Thos. G.. Boyd, and at once started for the Car
den settlement but their buggy. or more prop
erly sewing machine wagon, had the scat bro
ken and the7
LEFT THE VEHICLE
AT Col. Boyd's, and he and Hensley and Tom
Boyd proceeded thence on horseback, going in
the direction of Coco Creek, Boyd riding young
Heiskelrs horse, Hensey taking the horse from
the buggy and Reagan riding an animal he had
borrowed from Ezra Reagan, kinsman.
They perfected their plans en- route, intending
to so to Mr. Holcombe's and thence into the
edge of North Carolina for the purpose of serv-
ing subpnnas, rs before stated. There were
several parties living short distance from the
route they intended travelling whom they wished
to summon, and Hensley went to notify wit
ness at Kelsos, while Boyd and Reagan went
devious at VIM. Gormleys, where they met
and proceeded on their way until they arrived
at Joseph Coppenger,s, whey they dined eat
ing their own provisions, large quantity of
which had been prepared by Boyds mother
before they started, which was carried in a sack
on Hensley's horse At Coppenger's they pro-
cured some corn for their horses, alleging the
scarcity of forage on the mountains. They ar
rived about noon. In response to a question
the witness said that he had never travelled from
Mrs. Roberts to Gormey's before that day, as it
was road but little frequented,
APPEARANCE OF THE KUKLUX.
After dinner they started on their way, meet
ing J oe Coppenger and a son of Will Payne on
mountain two or three miles from where the
cent began. This was abeut two o'clock, p NJ
Shortly afterwards Reagan saw snake by the
side of the road and killed it. They were thirs-
ty and spoke of dismountng to get q drink of
water, when, before they could do SO, two
black, horrid-looking men arrived with pistols
rushed out of the laurel thicket," to the wit
ness own words, and ordered them TO surren--
ger and give up their arms. Witness heard
the bushes rustic on the other side of the road
and looking around he saw three other disguised
men. Being unarmed they submitted without
resistance. When this occurred Boyd was rid
ing in front and witness and Reagan just be-
hind him.
The three last corners looked after Boyd,
while the two first proceeded TO Reagan, the
person who did so being described as big
heavy-bearded fellow" handing his pistol to his
comrade to hold, while he bound witness hands
behind his back. This being done they paid the
same attention to Hensley, when a squabble en-
sued in which Hensley's pistol was knocked
out Of his hand. They were then
ORDERED TO MOUNT,
but could not do so without assistance Witness
was very much excited, thinking their time had
come. Boyd was also tied. Just before the
three last kuklux appeared he heard some one
say rush in or something to that effect They
;.ynI hacn hn1 al
Branch.
The prisoners were then taken back about
sixty yards, when they turned off into the
woods on the left, when witness thinking his
horse would fall, was helped off and allowed to
walk. They then went on top Of the mountain
and again got on his horse when after proceed
ing as he supposed about mile from the road
they halted short time and then proceeded a
short distance further, when they stopped again,
| Witness was
NOT BLINDFOLDED,
But Henseley was. Here the horses were taken
away from them and the prisoners then walked
some distance further, this time in the direction
of Laurel Branch, when they stopped for the
third time and were searched, and everything
| taken away from them; witness haG 1928 in
money. Reagan and Henseley were then Ia
ken few steps from the top Of the hill on which
the search took place and made to sit down,
with their hands and feet tied securely.
Boyd was then led off by the first two who
alone, the csptors remarking that Boyd was IAN
| old fox but they had earthed him at last, In
few minutes they disappeared over q little
rising ground, the upper parts Of the bodies of
| Boyd and his captors alone being visible Wit
| ness saw one of the latter draw pistol, point it
Boyd's breast and fired, who fell at the first fire.
| He then heard some one exclaim,
"sHooT THE DID RASCAL AGAINw
And several shots were fired making five in all.
| After the firing the two men came back and re-
| moved them short distance and left them for
probably twenty minutes, when they reappeared
| and removed them about two hundred yards
further in the direction of Laurel Branch,
the moon family shining, when one of them
came back and united Reagans hands, re-
marking that he had nothing against
him, and would not harm him, for
the witness had once saved his life" Reagan
then united his feet and being told toslo0sen
Hensley's bonds, did so. They were then told
TO get away as soon as possible. This they en-.
| deavored 10 do, but they were unable to find
their way our of the woods, and, after wan
| derng around over the ridges finally lay down
in q thicket till daylight, when they started
again and reached james JohnsoLs about 7 OF
8 o clock in the morning. There thy rested and
got drink of water, and, after getting direc
tons us to the road from little girl, the only
Hills reaching there about ten o'clock, where
hey ate their breakfast telling their adventure
at both places.
TAKING MATTERS LEISURELY.
After breakfast, witness and Hensley went OF
their way and reached Jos. Coppenger's house
about noon, passing several persons on the way