Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-09-17
CONTRADICTORY

u.
Hensiey was laying on the ground on his
| back.
CONTRADICTORY.
I Colonel Whitney here stated (givfng much
emphasis TO the statement) that there was a
wide discrepancy between Reagan's state
ment and that of HenEley, but which did not
seem 10 affect Reagan. When Whitney read
from his notes of Hensley's statement show
ing where there was difference between the
statements, Reagan would remark that Hens
ley was mistaken; at only one time did he
seem 10 be excited, OF in the least intimidated,
ana that was when the two statements varied
as 10 the time of day when they were turned
az nberty; Reagan claimed II was about dark I;
that the moon had commenced to show itself;
while Hensleys statement placed il at half
past four o'clock. Mr.. Reagan is apparently
about thiTty-seven or thirty-eight years Of
age; Is u large, heshy built man, probably
weighing upward Of two hundred pounds; his
general appearance, while relating his story,
yesterday, under the scrutiny OF Colonel Whit
ney ana MaJor Petubone was calm and quiet;
he did not seem 10 aim 10 prevaricate or mis-
lead any one in his answers, but II asked
second time would cheerfully repeat his first
answer; he is a man who from outward ap
pearance, would not become easily excited
under any circumstances.
HENSLEYS STORY. /
The following statement was made by Hens
ley 10 Colonel Whitney, on Wednesday LAST,
at Madisonyille: Ny name is Perrian Hens
ley; ! am twenty-fOur years old; l live on
Ball Play, Monroe county, Tennessee; on the
second day Of September MI. Reagan and my
self went TO SweetWater; Reagan said that
Thomas q. Boyd had agreed TO give him two
dollars per day TO go with him 10 summons
witnesses; Reagan said that he would give me
one dollar per Gay If would go with him; he |
said Boyd would pay all expenses; on Wednes-
day we leit Sweetwater 10 go the Old man
BOyds; we went In buggy; we stopped at
old Boyds all night; on Thursday night we |
stayed AT Sheriff Hawkins, about two miles |
from Colonel BOyd's; on Friday morning We |
went up 10 the old man Boyd :; we there met |
Thomas q. Boyd; we all started from there to 4
go TO the Garden settlement; when we got 70 |
= -r.rarHN Nam= 49,
H. Keho, and asked me 10 90 TO his house and /
summons him; Reagan and Boyd took an 4
other way, and We We're TO meet at GOrmleyis; /
we met at Gormleys, then went TO COppingers /
and took dinner.
CAPTURED.
After dinner we started to go up the noun |
tain. About One-half or three-quarters Of |
mile from COppingeris five men came out Of /
the woods; two had their faces blacked, two /
with cooked pistols in hands "jObbed" them /
against me. They took US from our horses, |
tied our hands, and bade us get on our horses |
again. They took us to the top Of the noun |
tain, and into the woods about a mile. They
then took US of our horses and tied our feet /
tied handkerchief over my eyes, and laid Us |
down on the ground. They then took our
horses of out OF sight They then said 70 I
Boyd: Come on, Cd d-n you, you are an
old fox; we've got you now; your time has 1
come" When they were tying me they said /
80 These are d-d nice boots 70 die in" They
then took Boyd of seventy-tive OF hundred 1
yards, down hollow and over a bank. I |
could not see him all the time. But Just as /
they raised on a small rise of ground, saw
one man point pistol at Boyd and fire. After /
the shot Boyd yeil and rolled out Of sight
RELEASED.
About one hour and a half after this, two |
men came back Of the hill 10 US; We were /
captured and tied; about two O'Clock Friday 4
evening, they united our legs and told us TO |
get US; they walked US up the branch about 1
two hundred yards and laid US on the ground; /
they left US and were gone about one hour;
they went back toward where Boyd was shot.
In about an hour one man came back to US;
he said TO Reagan 81 know you; I've nothing /
against you; you saved my life once" Rea-
gan said where. He said: ask no favors and .
III grant none" He then united Reagan and |
told him TO unite me. He bade US gOod-by. |
We Travelled till II was quite late and then |
laid down IN the WOODS tll the sun rose IL |
the morning so we could see which way to 60
Next morning We came out into the big road, /
about four miles from where we We're cap
tured.
HUNTING FOR BOYD AND BOYD'S BODY. /
We first went to JOhnson's; we got some wa
ter there; we then went 10 Kings and got dim
ner; from there to Coppinger's-there we met /
on our way to Colonel BOyds to inform him F;
told COppinger of it: sIa-d all nISht, on Satur-
day, at Nose Humphreys; didn't go 10 BOyd's
father, but on SUNDAY morning went 10 my
house on Ball Play. sometime during the day
they came for US to 20 10 hunt for Boyd. Rob
ert Mcmahon went 10 Colonel BOyds and in
formed him about the affair. Coppinger, when
We first got there, saturday morning, want
ed to get up crowd and hunt Tor Boyd
DNQNs Dat i llll MN 4 WAS going up
TO old man BOyd's 70 have him get up the
crowd to hunt for I. G. Boyd. Boyd said when
~ have done nothing to be mur-
dered for; If am to die, let me die like man;
/ want my body taken to SweeIwater to be
buried" Reagan was not blindfolded. We
were tied with ropes. After they had tied a
over my eyes and laid me on
the ground, rubbed my head against a bush
til got the blind down so could see ever II
with one eye.
THE QUESTIONS.
The questions arise, after careful reading
Df all this, "Is IL a hoax or a tragedy?" and
q W here Is BOyd?n Now that the authorities
have hold Of II we hope no stone will be LEFT
that viii lead TO answers.
BOYDS HEGIRA.
1t is a fact that Is, says the Knoxville Chroa-
icIe, that Thomas q. Boyd stands indicted In
the Federal Court for almost countless frauds
against the government in the
prosecution Of pension and other claims. y
perusal OF the records in some OF these cases
to the curious, and evince a degree Of ingeni-
" on his part that would have entitled him
to the highest praise If applied in the right
IN the Spring Of $50 the application Of the
mother OF j. ID. Smith was made FOR Arrears OF
pay and bounty, claims that he was private
IN Captain BrysOmi s company OF National
Guards who was alleged to have died in pris-
On at Atlanta in November 1861. The proof
was made in due form and in July following
a check was issued 10 the claimant, Emily
smith. The check was made payable TO
friend, and was taken from the pOstOfhce by
Boyd on an order by Emily Smith, which
shows that J. d. Smith was not member OF
RrysOn's command at all.
The fugitive has been seen since he leit hr.
sioan's, as we are informed by the best an
hOrity, but IL Is not deemed advisable 10
mention the locality.