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

burned body being that of Samuel Bowles be-
yond the shadow of doubt. Jerry Turner, the
colored man at whose house Bowcs died. was
before the coroner's jury and testified that the
cloth and buttons attached were a part of the
coat that Bowles had on when he was buried,
which is conclusive, ard if there were any who
had previously chung to the belief of Boyd MUIR
der, their faith must be strong indeed if they are
not unchanged.
Reagan and Hensley were also before The Jury
Of inquest and repeated their.
"oFT-ToLD TALE,n
Which, however, was considered altogether
too thin " to be accepted as strictly veracious,
especially in view of the developments of the
past few days. 1t now appears to be question
from the information we have been able obtain
whether Reagan and Hensley were Boyd's
ddupes' or whether they were particgs crinatnis.
some incline to the former and others to the
latter belief. In support of the first we have
their united testimony, albeit weakened by con-
tradictions, as to their surprise at Laurel Branch
ana in. tne shooung OF their companion by masked
Villains, which was done after the manner of
heavy tragedy on the stage and with an eye to
effect rather than that which would naturally be
the case if any one had cause for
MORTAL ENMITY
Against Boyd and had resolved to murder him.
Besides, the universal testimony is that he was
personally a very popular man, and was not
known to have an enemy in the county. If
Reagan and Hensley are to be believed, we
must set aside the statements of reliable citizens
who positively aver that they saw these two
men in company with Boyd on Friday evening
several hours after the killing was alleged to
have been done
REAGAN AND HENsLEY.
OF the standing of these men in the commune
ty in which they live, we are not aware. Rea-
gan, we understand has been engaged in the
sewing machine trade is justice of the peace
and now resides at Sweetwater. His name was
mentioned some time in connec. ION with Boyd's
as being concerned in queer monetary trans
,.A,yN h,,No IL l4D
unearthed their magnitude absorbed all interest
in lesser affairs Hensley resides at Ball Play
and is not as widely known about Sweetwater
as his companions, and his statements are re-
ceived with considerable allowance.
BoYD's REPUTATION
was excellent among all who knew him, and he
had wide acquaintance. Even after the mag
nitude of the frauds he had Systematically prac-
tced were brought to light there were many
who took his simple denial as truth in the face
of positive evidence of guilt, such implicit con-
hdence did they have in his integrity, and
charitably thought he was duped by designing
parties for whom he transacted business, and
that if there had really been any frauds perpe-
trated, he was innocent Of any participation in
the profits.
Of genial and pleasant disposition, and be-
ing man of means, he was liberal in his deal.
ings, though by no means lavish in his expendi-
lures, and since the recent developments in the
case, people who had accepted the popular YER
diet in his respect, upon reflection fail to find
where he allowed his reputation as a shrewd
business man to suffer by wasteful extravaganza.
In this he has heretofore been vastly overratea,
and it is now firmly believed that he carried off
with him large sum of money.
BOYD'S PLANS.
About the middle Of July letter of Boyd's
addressed to President Grant, was published in
the CHRONICLE in which he had the audacity
TO propose to the President that, if he would
procure the dismissal of the suits pending
against him in the United States Court, he
Boyd would take the stump in favor of his ad-
ministraton and ventilate the Democratic party
throughout the length and breadth of the State,
giving his standing in the Confederate army
and his position in society as indications Of his
ability to do what he undertook. and endeavor-
ing to induce the belief that he held the Demo-
cratic party lin the holler Of his hand" as
Nasty has 1t
COULDN'T SEE IT.
President Grant failed to appreciate the offer
of the ingenious writer and treated the matter
with contempt. Shortly after its publication
Boyd addressed letter to the proprietors Of
this paper, asking if they would publish his de-
tense, inasmuch a. they had published his let
Letter. They replied that they would do so if it
was confined to reasonable limits. Mr.. Boyd
acknowledged the reply as follows;
.SwEErM!TER, Tenn, Aug; 81. 1872.
GEYTs- favor of 29th inst received and its con-
You have my thanks for your prompt reply to my
letter and your kind Offer felt sure that you. in Civ
ing place 10 the article in your paper, did SO with no
intention TO cast stain me or place in wrong
Light before the readers of your valuable paper.
assure you in the article propose TO send you du
ring the next week. shall not indulge in anything but
facts, as have desire TO a shadow upon the
character of any man, though few deserve moth
ing better at my hands,
THOs. G. BOYD.
1t seemed that ne then designed remaining
and contesting the cases against him, but hav-
ing another string to his bow in the dead negro,
Samuel Bowles, whose remains were safely
PACKED IN CHARCOAL,
at q remote point-whether with that object in
view as a dernier resort is left to conference.-the
changed his mind and did not furnish his win
dication" for publication, but decided on a fct
tious death, knowing that emnity seldom
reaches beyond the grave and that even with
foes the dead are sacred from attack. But 'facts
are stubborn things and the cunningly devised
scheme miscarried, and among the host of friends
he had one brief week ago there are few now so
poor as 10 do him reverence.
HIS CONDUCT
is severely denounced as showing a heartless-
ness towards his wife that arouses the indigna-
ton of decent men. Since the crDose she has
closely secluded herself and we are told has
been confined TO her bed for several days. She
E in delicate health and feels her husband dis
grace keenly. Ifshe was cognizant of the plan be
had in view, she is sincerely to be commiserated
and equally so if he would have played on hei
feelings by the story of his fictitious and tragic
death, which he intended to fost on the public
by the aid of hired tools. The tale will ere
long be unfolded and his
RECORD VENTILATED