The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-09-17
SOUTHERN TENNESSEE.
Its Heritage From the Civil War.

i ~~~~@S
rested at Picketsville BY United States
soldiers on charge of completely in the
Trenton outragcs, will not arrive here
till this afternoon. They will be taken
before United States Commissioner
for examination.
Another of the negroes taken from
Jail, and who escaped, is here, but
under advice Of United States officials
refuses to communicate anything in re-
gard to the affair, beyond the fact that
they escaped when six were shot near
| Trenton.
The Avalanche gives the following
history of the situation
During the civil war this region Of
country was overrun by squads of
guerrillas, claiming allegiance to
both the Northern and Southern
armies, but really serving
neither one. Col. Hawkins commanded
q regiment Of federal marauders, chiefly
made up in the counties adjacent to
Gibson, and several parties of Southern
adherents roamcd over the region
both sides taking horses and other
property from the citizens at will.
Many deeds Of blood were perpetrated
during this period.
At the close Of hostilities many Of
these disbanded guerrilias remained in
the country, and for three years or
more there was regular understand
ing between them in the range of coun-
try embracing Dyer, Gibson, Madison,
T,n<or ou1 hoNorr ooru<,oc Oyor
this whole range Of country. from the
Mississippi to the Tennessee rivers.
rapine, arson, robbery and murder,
was of almost daily occurrence.
One Bird Evans was. the acknowl-
edged leader Of these predatory night
hawks, and a perfect reign Of terror
prevailed among the most respectable
of citizens. Governor Brownlow and
his administration were the reigning
authorities, but they were powerless to
stop the bloodshed and check the law
lessneSs.
People were torn from their Shrek
ing wives and children, and were shot
down and left by the roadside, after not
being allowed time to say asingle prayer
and for no known effense.
The Governor threatened to call out
the militia, but it ended there. Nothing
came of it, nor could the authorities
suppress the evil deeds Of these evil,
worthless men.
Finally the citizens became so exas-
perated that they could bear it no long
er and during the summer of 1858 a
party of some forty or more, headed by
. former army captain went forth to
search for the rascal Bird Evans and
three others. Evans, his kinsman,
man named Cox and another named
Stations, with twelve more were taken
in quick succession by the Captain and
his followers, and all were put to death
without trial or delay.
Evans, the leader, threatened dire
vengeance upon his captors and said
his time for revenge would yet come.
The Captain replied to his threat that
when he got through he would not be
IN condition to seek revenge on any
one. As Bird went forth
to execution, seeing his time
had come, he begged and plead for .
short delay and wished his wife sent
for and wished TO say his prayers. He
was told that through his long career
he had dispatched many good fellows,
without mercy, granting them no time
for prayers or anything else. The
same he had meted his kind would in
turn be extended to him, and 50 he was
executed.
This action broke up. the outlaws en-
tirely. Those Of Evans band who
were not killed left the country or lived
IN quiet retirement, and until the re-
cent t. oubles little has been heard Of
hElessness there, until Picketsrille