Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1873-06-19
SOUTHERN BENDERs.
A Parallel 70 the Bender .Butch-
cries In South Carolina.

The recent revelations in regard to the
atrocious murders committed by the Ben.
der family in Kansas will probably call to
the minds Of some Of the older citizens of
Charleston a SIMILAR series Of murders
that occurred near this city more than
half century ago. In that day travellers
did not enjoy the facilities of railroad
transportation, and in consequence there
were many little wayside inns scattered
along the public highways, some adjacent
to the cities, and others moro remote.
Such an inn was kept few miles from
Charleston. Being near tho city, it was
quite common for travellers, going or re,
turning, to stop for rest and refreshments.
1t was kept by two people, man and
his wife, who were accounted tobe honest,
aud withal very prosperous persons. Their
hostelry was convenient to the travelling
public, and therefore popular. Occasion
ally traveller would suddenly disappear
in very mysterious and unaccountabls
manner, but no suspicious attached to the
hospitable inn-keoper and bis wife. Mat
ters went on thus for some time, the mys.
terious disappearances meanwhile bccom-
ing more and more frequent. Fathers
sons and brothers going TO or from Char.
lesion would suddenly be missing, and nc
clue to their whereabouts could be OBJ
tanned. Public excitement, as may be
supposed, was wrought up to the highest
pitch, until finally there came sudder
and horrible solution to the mystery.
One night--so tradition saith-a be
lated traveller, on his way to Charleston
stopped at the inn. Sitting at the fire
il the bar, slipping his toddy, it suddenly
occurred to him that the actions of hi
host and hostess were somewhat peculiar
The fate o. other travellers in that section
probably made his sense of danger NOR
than usually acute, and he resolved to b
sharply on the alert. He was shown I
, his room by his obliging host, and whe
s the steps of the latter had died away o.
: the stairs, he made careful inspection Q
!, the surroundings. He discovered, anon
/ other things, that the bed upon which h
J. was expected TO sleep was ingeniously Fl
ted in its slides. 30 it could be lowere
, with ease to the ground floor beneatl
Other circumstances convincing him thl
be was in trap Of some kind, he BILE
out his light and patiently awaited d
velopments. A little after midnight |
y bearl stealthy steps on the stairs, and
II Immediately put himself in position
n defend himself. The steps drew near
= and nearer, and finally the door, viii
y was guiltless of either lock or latch, W
a. cautiously opened, and the hospitable be
i. stepped in. The traveller felled him wi
I'd q chair and made his escape to the Gil
. closely pursued by both man and wi
who followed him nearly to the city limi
- Information was at once conveyed to t
!. authorities, and guard was sent out
the inn and .be wretcbes arrested. I
Il investigation that followed revealed a
below the room in which the traveller '
n to have rested. In this PIT we're fou
the remains Of al who had SO mysteriou
R, disappeared. The spectacle was m
Eh ghastly one, and the revelation of 81
atrocity created, in that primitive day
much more intense thrill of horror
through the country than the Benz
ID butcheries, and justice was swift in ov
taking the murderer and his accompl
Charleston Ne,os.