Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-09-11
THE BOYD MYSTERY.
Lntest Intelligence from the Scene OF the
NSrfIfE Tragedy. ma N7ef53
A Diversity or Opinfen-Thc Affair sun
-E Yelled I'm Doubt.

A Diversity or Opinfon-Thc Affair sun
Yelled I'm Doubf.
The alleged assassination OF Thomas u. boyo'
of Sweetwater, is still the topic OF conversation
along the line of railroad as we'll as at Sweet
water and Knoxville, where he was widely
known. and the doubts expressed on Monday
were even stronger yesterday than the day pre-
yious. Those who attended the funernal on
Monday afternoon state the remains were
BURNED TO CRISP, tf
and were as black as coal. All resemblance to
humanity was destroyed by the devourin3
flames and portions of the head and parts ofthe
body entirely consumed. The shape of the body
was destroyed and to use the language of our
informant, the remains 'could have been plac-
ed in bushel basket with ease. a
PUBLIC SENTIMENT is DIVIDED
on the subject, many believing that the body
found was really that of Thomas G. Boyd, and
they have in support of their belief the testlmo-
nv of the men who were with him and the grief
manifested BY Mrs. Boyd,, wnich none are dis
Boyd had been engaged in collecting claims
for large number of men, some OF whom, 1t was
said, had threatened his life That he had heard
of those threats was evident from the fact that
on the day he left Sweetwater, Boyd told the
man from whom he hired the horse he rode that
he was going into dangerous locality and
wanted swift animal that he could depend on
in case of
l AN ATTACK, ese5
and accordingly one of that description was
furnished, thought to have the speed and bottom
of Dick Turpin's 'Bess," but horse-fesh could
not save what was already doomed. Ihe
strongest reason for supposing that Boyd really
was Killed is the eyidece of Esquire Reagan, VINO
asserted that he believed the remains found were
his though he could not identify them. Rea,,
gan's statement was not made under oath, and
he did not swear positively to the identity OF Ine
body found, but confined his assertion to the
'best of his knowledge and belief" Tho coro-
ner's jury have not yet a}
RETURNED THEIR VERDICT,
but reserved their decision until Saturday, the
18th inst, which, in itself, is matter for the
gravest doubt among many who would otnel-
wise accept the matter of Boyd's alleged death
without questioning it. This delay was undouDt
eddy for the purpose of sitting the matter tnor'
onghly and making Investigations for the pur'
pose of putting the vexed question at rest.
Two physicians saw the remains, and we are
told that DR. .Scruggs says that the wrists r.
.l-. ARE LARGER THAN BoYD's,
| and also the shoulders, On the 2rd of August
an old family servant of the Boyd family, Sam.
uel Bowles by name, died at Sweetwater ano
his corpse taken that night to Eleazar church
nineteen miles distant, where it was the mex
day inferred. This church is about nine mlles
| from where the burned body was found, and
whispered suggestion is mooted that if the grave
of BOwles was examined, it would be seen tina
the old darkey who faithfully served BOYD
while living, served him even more faithfully
| in death, and that his body fed
-f4 a~a THE FUNERAL PYRE sfF#Ef
instead of the one whose death has been an
hos
found in the woods near where the burning tool
place, and it is surmised that 1t was USED U
bring the body from the grave. Quite a. mum
Der of Boyds papers were found close by scat
tered around carelessly, and not even scorched
Another circumstan connected with tbt
matter is that Boyd was alleged to have beer
killed with his clothes on, and it Is not unreaS
enable to suppose that his boots were LETT upoI
his feet, but if so the fire must have burned witt
such intensity as to melt the taeks In his boot
heels, for not one could be discovered In TIT
ashes where the body was found, although sew
eral teeth were discovered. t itisEE
--..r-. A NEW JURY
OF inquest has been appointed, under the ieao
ership of Esquire Montgomery, and everything
will be done to investigate the matter thorough
| ". The grave of Bowles will be opened to
| day. and the public will soon learn whether tn
belief that it has been tempered with is wei
| founded or not The Government detective al
| luded to Yesterday is still on the ground ant
will use all his efforts in ferreting out the truth
| 1t has been stated that
BOYD HAS BEEN SEEN s
| by several persons since the hour he was re
ported to have been killed. A lady living il
| Monroe county, who was in this city yesterday
states that she met him near sunset on Friday
evening, accompanied by Reagan and Hensley
| and stated that the two latter spoke to her, blu
| Boyd did not, though she knew him we'll.
The disinclination of Boyds connexions t.
make a vigorous effort in probing the matter
| excited surprise among some of the citizens
who wished to see justice DONE. If the citizen
who live in the neighborhood when the murder
was committed persist in protesting Ignorance
of the crime, they should be compelled to Civ
their reasons for every law abiding man shoult
wish the perpetrators brought to punishment
| But there is no telling ''what a day may brlni
FORTH" and before the sun sets the whole m ate
may be made clear and the mystery explained
| school Notice. Eaa
The Knoxville City Schools will open Mon
| day, September 16, 1872. All children between