Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-03-21
THE GREENEVILLE HORROR
The Nemesis Of Vengeance Oh
the Track Of Horrible Crime,
George Simpson, the Burglar, In
ccndiary, and Murderer Of
Joseph Mason Shot aud
Killed at Merrist0wn.

Directly alter the tragic end or Mr..
Joseph Mason and his robbery. and the
burning of his storehouse at Greeneville
last week, Mr.. James Lyon, as Coroner of
the County impanneled a jury of Inquest,
consisting of cool-headed, sensible and
energetic men. The evidence adduced
went to criminate George Simpson, q
heartless desperate of that community as
the principal in the triple tragedy of rob-
berry, arson and murder. 1t is stated that
he revealed the plan of his atrocious pur-
pose to a young man named Fry. who in
~dignantly rejected the bloody proposal.
After Simpson was satisfied hat he could
not induce young Fry to become his ac-
complete. he threatened his life if he made
any div%ulgement, and afterwards was seen
lurking around Fry's house for the pur-
pose, nc doubt, of killing his would-be
confederate. A warrant for the arrest of
Simpson for stealing was in the hands of
an officer when he murdered Mason. We
learn from a source Of the highest credi-
bility, that with the exception of the pro-
g%enitor of the Simpsons, who was an
honest and Woodworking freshman, the
whole family are a trifling and desperate
set, the brother of the desperate in ques-
ton, having fired a Church in Greeneville
before the war.
But to return from our deviation.
Simpson, lea ming through spies, no doubt,
that his implication in the murder was
directly and Enthusiastically established
before the jury of Inquest, left Greene
Vile last Sunday night and was seen next
morning in the neighborhood of Blue
Springs, nine miles distant. His disap-
pearance was known to the jury and of
fcer Mercer and Depaty Dobson were
despatched down the Railroad on Monday
nights train. They left the cars at Nor
ristown and soon spied their game. Simp
sou was on the alert, saw his pursuers and
broke to run. They fired into him, hit
ting him in the left thigh and severing the
femoral artery. This happened about
eight o'clock and the wounded murderer
died about II. He was wearing the
watch and chain Of his assassinated victim,
and had on his person other articles stolen
the murdered man. Before he died
he made a full confession as to the rob-
berry, arson, and murder, and implicated
other parties il the atrocious crime. We
understand that the officers are in pursuit
Of the implicated parties. Thus. the per-
pctration and perpetrators of the most
atrocious crime that ever was committed
in this country, are disclosed and discov-
cred, confirming the scriptural admonition
and assurance Thy sins shall find thee
Since the above was put in type, we
learn that Simpson procured a blacksmitbs
hammer, and going to the store he knock |
ed at the door and was answered by Mr..
Mason. He pretended to want a peice of
bacon. Mason took a light into the room
where the bacon was kept, the assassin fol-
with his hammer. On enterig the
room be struck him on the head, crushing
in the skull. Mason Immediately expir-
ed. Simpson then took his keys out of
his pocket, and went through his safe, and
then set FIRE to the building, $313,25 and
other articles with the watch and chain
spoken of, recognized as the prop
erty of Mason wero found on the person
Of the slain murderer. The two men had
a personal difficulty some time ago.
Simpson stated that he was persuaded by
his Sister, n ~disreputable woman and a
nan by the name of Joe Carter to COM
nit the horrible a%trocity in order to get
possession of Masons money. which he d.
'ided equally with these parties. The
nan and woman have been arrested and
ire now lodged in the Greeneville Jail.
The woman has made a full confession
nd several articles of clothing taken from
Mason were found IN her premises. Great
Indignation was manifested by the citizens
owards the prisoners and threats of lynch
ng were freely INDUCED in. Mob law is
ever justifable apd we hope the law will
70 allowed to take its course. These are
he successive acts with their incidents as
eveloped in this tragedy of blood, arson,
and death.