The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1872-07-09
COWARDLY ASSASSINATION.
AN OLD MAN IN JACKSON COUNTY MUIR
DrRED BY HIS sTEP.sON.

AN OLD MAN IN JACKSON COUNTY MUIR
DERED BY HIS sTEP.sON.
From the Carbonate New Era Of Saturday
One of the most unprovoked and cow
ardly assassinations it has ever been our
lot to chronicle occurred on Wednesday
last in Bradley precinct, near what Is
known a. headquarters, twelve miles north
west of Murphysboro. Several years ago
Dr. Henson, one of the Oldest residents
Of jackson county, married widow
Brown, who had family Of children,
several of them fully grown. Henson,
1t is said, was not very kind husband,
and about six weeks since his wife separa-
ted from him. Henry Brown, a son of
Mrs. Henson's, a reckless, dissipated and
bad hearted man, about thirty years Of
age, had several quarrels with his step
father, but the old doctor never supposed
that Henry bore him any special hostility,
regarding their frequent msunderstand-
ings a. mere family disputes. 1t appears,
however, that Browns animosity was
deeper seated and he determined upon re-
venge.--On the morning Of the 26th ult.
he Invited q friend--son of DR.. Dodson
to accompany him to Mr.. Henson's
house. Not anticipating any trouble,
young Dodson went with Brown, and APP
preaching Henson's farm they saw the old
man blowing in q field. Brown accused
Henson of threatening to "clean out the
whole ridge."-This imputation Henson
denied, saying he was too old man to
think of such thing. Brown reiterated
the charge and declared his intention of
settling the matter. Henson again denied
it, and said he had but few more years to
live and he had no intention Of endanger-
ing even those few years by getting up
fuses and talking in such manner
Finally, after Brown had cursed him
soundiy, Henson said Henry, never
said SO, and whoever says l did tells u
lie."-No sooner had the words been spo-
ken than Brown drew revolver and
commenced deliberately firing upon the
old unarmed man. In vain did the grey
haired victim besoech the fend to spare
his life, and his appeals to Dodson to in.
ter fere. were heart rending in the extreme.
Dodson was unarmed, and could only beg
Brown to quit firing. Five shots were
fred, two of them only taking effect one
Of them entering under the right arm and
coming out through the breast, and the
other piercing the groin. As the second
ball struck him Henson fell, and Brown,
clubbing his pistol, sprang upon his
PROSTATE foe, dealing him several heavy
blows upon the head, fracturing his skull.
Henson fingered until Saturday morning,
when death put an end to his sufferings.
A warrant was issued for Browns arrest,
but he managed to elude pursuit. 1t is
said, however, that no determined or
organized effort was made to arrest him,
and that his escape is altogether due to the
the inefficiency Of our officers. 1t is also
said that a despatch vas sent to an, officer at
DuQuoin requesting Browns arrest. The
officer it is alleged, was friend of Brown S
and notified him of his danger, declining
10 make the arrest
We hope no efforts will be left untried
to bring Brown to justice. The murder Of
his step-father--a man Of nearly seventy
years Of age-was without the least pallia-
ton; it was one of the most fendish
crimes ever committed in this state. The
parties who secreted him after be had COM
mitted the murder, and who connived at
his escape, also deserve severest punish
ment, and We call upon the next grand
jury to see that they, too, be called before
the bar Of justice. 1t is terrible to know
how cheaply human life is held in some
portions Of Southern Illinois, and how
easy blood-stained criminals escape the
penalty Of their crimes. Is justice farce
in Jackson county, or has the law become
powerless to punish the guilty2