Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-09-11

Though. but few miles off, yet it was several
hours before they informed Boyd's father of the
circumstance.
After the murder was committed, the lifeless
body was taken some distance further from the
road, where II was thrown 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
4. 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-eght
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 Yer
non at 2 p. NJ. on Monday.
Accordingly on yesterday morning large
number of citizens, comprising the family and
friends of Mr.. Boyd andth Masonic fraternity,
left Sweetwater to attend the obsequies, but ut
this writing it is impossible TO obtain any add-
tional 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-
vised scheme 10 enable Boyd to leave the coun-
try without compromising his securities, in the
suits now pending against him in the United
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 by Others
one Of whom stated that he saw him near Fry'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, ard
several persons from the neghborhood of Lau-
rel Branch, who are now in the city, did not
ever hear Of the alleged murder until after they
had left homo and were on their way to Knox
Vile.
To show that there is nothing like malice or
animosty in the incredulity expressed, we will
| mention that one of the parties who is not yet
convinced of Mr.. Boyd's death, is now attending
the Federal Court under indictments similar in
their nature to those of the former.
Reagan and Hensley certainly acted in n 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-
| lecture They took dinner with brother of
Mr. John Coppenger, on Connesauga Creek,
who meeting them shortly afterwards was told
Of the tragic event, and expressed his surprise
that they
| HAD NOT GONE IN PURSUIT
| OF the villains. They replied that thoy would
not uttctnpt IL Win less tnan twenty ufo lIcn
| Mr.. G. told them they could be easily raised,
| we'll armed and mounted at that and protered
| the use of pack of hounds TO trail them with,
which offer they declined. At this time, early
| Saturday afternoon, they had not informed Mr.
Boyd of his sons death, but did so shortly after
| Mr.. Coppenger had Indignantly expressed his
! opinion of their conduct.
What is somewhat remarkable is that nothing
was said about the horses ridden by Boyd, Rea-
gan and Hensley, although they were robbed
| and even Boyd's person rihed of whatever val
| uables he possessed. The number of the murder
ers was also given differently, sometimes as four
| and at others five.
| We have conversed with several gentlemen
from Monroe county on the subject and given
/ the substance above. As to the
FACTS IN THE CASE,
We shall probably learn them to-day. We
have at this time given the accounts and views
of men who are we'll acquainted with Thos. g..
| Bovd and his companions, Reagan and Hensley,
and familiar with the country, without COM
ment.
That there are we'll grounded reasons for the
story of his death hone will deny after learning
| of the large number of friends who left Sweet
water to attend the funeral and as IL corpse is r.
| very necessary adjunct to funeral, the ques-
tion very naturally arises, if the corpse an
nounced to be inferred yesterday was not that of
Thos. q. Boyd, whose was it We have heard
of no other person recently killed, and exposure
would too closely follow detection to make Il
fraud of this kind easy of perpetration.
| THE LATEST.
The latest intelligence from Sweetwster de-
velopes no change in the mystery that envel-
| opes the case above mentioned. Public senti-
| ment is very much divided and many are of the
| opinion that the remains-which were charred
beyond all semblance of recognition, and some
portions entirely consumed-Rre not those of
| Thos. u. Boyd but of some other man, while
others are 10th to set aside the testimony of b..
p. Reagan, who thinks there is no doubt about
| the matter
| A Government detective went down to Sweet
| water on Monday afternoon. and the truth Of the
| matter in all its details will be made known in
! due time, though since our daily of Tuesday
has been issued we learn that he is of the opin-
! ion that the remains inferred on Monday are
not Boyd's. Meanwhile, until the facts are
/ known we snail express no opinion on the sub
ject, which it now mysterious, to say the least
| oft.
THE Union and american feels blue
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