The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-11-16
Highway Robbery and q bloody
RetribuftOn.
from the Nashville Union aud American

from the Nashville Union and Americana
Accounts reach us Of a bold aud villain
ous robbery by unknown negro highway
men, who, socicting themselves in the UNI.
dergrowth fringing lonely part Of the Co
>Iumtia road about six miles beyond Frank
lin. sought, under cover OF darkness, to rob
and murder whoever might pass along that
route. Between II and 3 O'Clock yesterday
morning as gentleman approached the
spot he heard a rustling among the dry
leaves on the ground, at which his af-
frighted horse gave a plunge that almost
uuseated the rider. Being unable to peer
through the darkness of the night, he had
scarcely time 10 imagine tile cause Of his
animals fright when, with the simultaneous
clicking Of pi.to-locks. be beard several
persons cry halt" at this five negro men
sprang up TO his side, and while one seized
the reins Of bis bride two or more dragged
the terrified traveller from his horse, threat
euing instant death III case he uttered cries
for help or offered resistance. In order to
make sure that no human being could be APP
peaIed TO, even if their victim under such
threats desired to cry out, he was choked to
the ground, and while firmly held robbed ola
gold watch ami 1920 in money. Not satisfied
with this booty, the villains commenced to
search bis person closely, intimating to the
powerless man that his lie would next be Ia
ken. While thus engaged the demons, though
ia the night-gloom scarcely less black than
themselves and their own depraSed hearts,
were startled by the rumbling of wheels
short distance from the spot. After hasty
deliberation, during which they suspended
the work OF search, they determined to assail
the occupant or occupants of the vehicle
with view of augmenting their ill-got gains
and IL necessary consign the anticipated new
oaptives to the fate--that OF horrld 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 aud Tom Mole
more, returning from Franklin to their home
near Spring Hill. As 1t neared the spot one of
the negroes, with the quickness Of wild
beast, sprang from the bushes and seized the
horse by the bit. Two others followed, where
upon Tom McLemorej Jumped from his buggy,
and realizing the intention of the unknown
nssailants, drew bis pistol. a sharp report,
followed by quick flash Of fire, which
CLEANED like spirit OF retribution amid
the gloom, revealed for moment the bru-
tai countenances Of the bighwaymen, one
OF whom uttered scream whose echoes
seemcd to ribrate long upon the ear,
sprang forward aud fell dead at the feet o!
young McLemorc, who lost no time. IN
firing at the accompiices, all of whom lied
Quickly. III the excitement Of the mo-
meut McLemorc, having exhausted his
pistol.wads, drew his pocket.knite, with
which he cut the PROSTATE Negroes throat
from ear 10 ear although, unknown te
him, the PROSTATE form, which but a mo
ment before, in all the savage strength o.
brutal power had endcayorcd to commit
q horrid crime, was but q corpse--.its life
having gone out amid the dark shadows Of
the night.
When the pistol fired so unexpectedly the
endorsed gentleman was forgotten by his
captors, who fed into the woods, though II
81 believed one or more Of the remaining -four
was bit by the subsequent shots of McLe
more. Upon searching the dead negro thu
$3.50 taken from the gentleman were found
tightly held in the lett hand of the corpse
Much excitement was caused when 1t wa:
known how narrowly the three gentlemen
escaped being murdered, and all say McLe
more was justifable in acting US he did.