Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-09-10

The Affair EnveIOped in Mystery.
On Sunday dispatch was received by gen.
tleman in this city stating that Thos G. Boyd,
| of Sweetwater, had been murdered on Friday,
near Laurel Branch, about sixteen miles south
east of jacksonville.
| THE SANGUINARY DEED
| Was committed about one o'clock in the after
noon, in the light of broad open day, when in
fancied security the Victim anticipated no dan
GER Boyd left Sweetwater on Wednesday or
Thursday last, accompanied by two men, B. P.
Reagan, ESD, and Perry Hensley, all on horse
back, and with the intention. it is said, of sum-
moning witnesses to appear in his (BOyds) be-
half at the United States Circuit Court, now in
session in.this city.
When they reached Laurel Branch, the party
stopped to get drink Of water, and Boyd was
stopping down at the edge of the branch, when
FIVE MASKED MEN,
Armed with guns and pistols stepped from the
| thicket and summoned them to surrender. Be-
| ing taken by surprise and out-numbered beside,
they could do nothing but heed the peremptory
summons which they did with the best grace
! possible under the circumstances. They were
at once seized and blindfolded and Reagan and
Hensley led several hundred yards up the
remained with Boyd. At that distance the es-
cort and their prisoners halted. Boyd was then
taken short distance from the road and in
sight of his friends if they had been in condi-
ton to see him.
In few moments the silence was broken by
snot when they invountariy turned their
heads and Hensley's bandage having slipped
he was enabled to see a little. Boyd had been
taken just beyond small rise and the upper
part of his body was visible. Another shot was
- l. - AhO4l h, Il
BOYD FELL TO THE GROUND.
Reagan and Hensley were then hurried to
some distance and tied securely to a tree, when
they were searched and their money taken from
them. The former had about five dollars and
the latter seventy-fve cents, at which they
seemed disappointed and remarked that Hens
ley had on very nice boots to have SO little cash
and that they were too good to die in, leaving
the impression on that individuals mind that as
soon as they finished Boyd he and Mr.. Reagan
would be served in the same manner.
The two men were left tied in the forest, and
in a few moments after their departure,
- TWO MORE SHOTS
Were heard in the direction where Boyd was
last seen. But they saw and heard nothing for
six dreadful hours, expecting momentarIly the
return Of the murdererS to intlict on them the
fate that had befallen their friend. Some time
after dark their captors reappeared, and loosen
ing their bonds told them to leave that vicinity
as soon as possible-that they had settled with
Boyd, but had nothing against them.
As may well be imagined, they were not slow
in getting away, but though we'll acquainted
with the country, they were so confused that it
was
NEAR DAYLIGHT
Before they discovered their whereabouts, and
though but few miles off, yet it was several
hours before they informed Boyds father Of the
circumstance
After the murder was committed, the lifeless
body was taken some distance further from the
road, where it was thrown on brush pile and
the brush set on fire, when the villains left,
having completed their bloody work.
The intelligence OF the murder was conveyed
to the family of the deceased and Winfield and
A. A. Boyd, with others secured the woods on
Saturday and Sunday morning looking for the
body, which was found about 10 O clock, and
having been exposed for nearly forty-eight
hours was dreadfully swollen, riddled with bull
lets, and presented
A HORRIBLE SPECTACLE
Some accounts say it was burned beyond all
recognition, while others assert that the fire
had gone out before reaching the remains and
that the flesh was not burned at all. But how
ever this may be the body was taken to Mount
Vernon, the residence of his father and notice
sent to his widow AND friends of the, fact and
that the funeral would take place at Mount err
non at p. NJ. on Monday.
Accordingly on yesterday morning large
number of citizens, comprising the family and
friends of Mr.. Boyd andthe Masonic fraternity,
| left Sweetwater to attend the obsequies, but at
this writing 1t is impossible to obtain any addi-
tlonal particulars of the affair, which is
| sHRoUDED IN MYSTERY,
many being of the opinion that he is still alive
and that the story of his death is cleverly de-
Vlsed scheme to enable Boyd to leave the coun-
try without compromising his securities, in the
| suits now pending against him in the limited
States Court. 1t is also asserted that he was
seen by Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts on Friday af
ternoon, several hours after the murder was
alleged to have been committed and bv others
one Of whom stated that he saw him near Frv's
| gold mine Another circumstance in favor of
THE DOUBT
Which exists in the minds of some, is that par
| ties living in the vicinity heard no shots fired
| and were not asked to join in the search, ar
several persons from the neighborhood of Lau-
rel Branch, who are now in the city, did not
ever hear of the alleged murder until after they
had left home and were on their way to Knox
Vile.
To show that there is nothing like malice or
luminosity in the incredulity expressed, we will
| mention that one of the parties who Is not yet
convinced ofMr. Boyd's death, is now attending
| the Federal Court under indictments similar in
| their nature to those of the former.
Reagan and Hersley certainly acted in very
| singular manner, but whether it was because
| their nerves were unstrung by the terrible ad-
venture through which they had just passed. or
that they were acting part is not for us to con-