Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-12
TERRBBLE TRAGEDEIE WILLIAM
SON COUNTY. q ~
A citizen lis Assaulted by Negro
Highway mem who Drag Him
from his Horse and RoD
Him of. His MONEY Z
Peuncipg Upon Two other Men I'm .
Buggy One of the Negroes
is shot Dead while sefzlng
the Horses Reius. z .4t

Acconuts reach us of bold and VII
Lannon's robbery by unknown negro high
wsymen who secreting themselves IN the
underground fringing lonely part oil the
Columbia road, about six miles beyond
Franklin. sought under cover OF darkness
tn ron and murder whoever might pass
along that route. Between twelve and
three o'clock yesterday morning as gentle
man approached the spot he heard rus
ting among the leaves'on the ground, at
which his affrighted horse gave q plunge
thar almost unSeated the rider. Bsing I'M
able to peer through the darkness of the
night he scarcely had time TO imagine the
Cause of his animals fright when with
the Simultaneous clickings OF pistol
cocks. be heard several persons say halt.
AT this five negro men sprang up to bis
side. and while one seized the reins OF his
bride. two or more dragged the terrified
traveller from his horse, threatening instant
death in case he uttered cries Of help or
offered resistance. In order TO make sure
no human being could be appealed to even
If their victim under such threats desired
10 cry out, be was choked to the ground,
and while firmly held, robbed of gold
watch and S120 in money. Not satisfied
with this booty, the villains commenced to
search his person closely, intimsting to the
powerless man that his lite would next be
taken. While thus engaged, the demons,
though in the night gloom scarcely less black
than themselves and their own depraved
hearts were startled by the rumbling OF
wheels short distance from the spot. AT
| ter a basty daliberation, during which they
suspended the work of search, they deter
mined to assal the occupant or occupants
of the vehicle with view of augmenting
their i'll got gains, and if necessary consign
the anticipated new captives to the fate
that of a horrid death-already awaiting
the unfortunate man now in their power
On came the vehicle, which proved to be .
buggy in which were seated two brothers
Messrs. Henry and Tom McLemore, re-
turning from Franklin to their home neal
Spring Hill. AS it neared the spot, one o.
the negroes, with the quickness of wild
beast, sprang from the bushes and seizeC
the horse by the bit. Two other:
followed, whersupon Tom McLe
more jumped from his buggy
and realizing the intention of the unknown
assailants drew his pistol, A sharp repor
followed by quick fash of fire, which
cleaned like spirit of retribuslon mid thu
gloom, revealing for a moment the bruta
countenances of the highwaymen. one
whom utteIipg a scream, whose echoe
seemed to vi0rate long upon the ear, spran!
forward and fell dead by the side of youni
McLemore, who lost no time in firing at tn
accomplices, all of whom fed quickly. IL
the excitement of the moment McLemore
having exhausted his pistol wads, drew hi
pocket knife with which he cut the falleI
+ negro's throat from ear to ear. Although
unknown to him NE PROSTATE form, whic
but moment before, ia all the savag
strength of brutal power, had endeavore
to commit a horrid crime, wa
but corpse, its life havin
gone out mid the dark shadows fths night
, When the pistol fred so unexpect Idly tn
endorsed gentleman was forgotten by Ri
captors, who releasing their held fed int
the woods, though it is believed one 9
more of the rersaining four was hit by tn
subsequent shots of McLerhore. Upo
searching the dead negro the Sl2O take
| from the gentleman were found Tight
, | held in the left baud of the corpse. Muc
excitement was caused when it was know
how narrowly the three gentlemen e.
capped being murdered, and all say Mel
more was justifabie in acting as he dl'
His cool conduct and promptness dou0tle'
! saved his life as well as that Of his oroth'
! and the other gentleman whose name
did not learn.