Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-02
SMITH COUNTY.
Coed Corn and wheat Crops, No Tobae-
co and Money scaree-AlmOst an
s'Outrage"-Mkdnigh Administra'
tors FoiIed-POIiticaI Peipts.

Coed Corn and wheat Crops, No TObae.
co and Money Scaree-AlmOst an
SOutrage"-MKdnigh Administra'
tors FoiIed-POIitical Peirts.
To the Union ant American:
GIBBS Y ROADS, MACON COUNTY,
TENN, Sept. 20, 1S74.-Whilst we have
reports from various other parts Of the
State, Of violence, bloodshei, shortness of
crops and scarcity of money, we in this
COUNTY are pursuing the even tenOrIof our
peaceful way. Our corn and wheat crops
have been fully up to the average, which
shuts the door against absolute want. The
tobacco crop, however, is almost a failure,
which will continue the usual scarcity of
nieGey at this season.
The nearest approach to violence that we
have had, occurred on the night of the
2lst ;nst., at the house of Mr.. Ed. Wake
field, about three and half miles north
east of this place, which came about in this
wise: A few weeks ago Mr.. Ezekiel Park
hurst, gay widower, of this county, leing
of the tender and gushing age OF 70 years,
being possessed OF a suiilciency Of this
worlds goods to make Gloves young
dream comfortable in a valley cottage, and
about SLIGO in cash besides, won the heart
llslllU VI MISS dllACs Vi -hAs
Eb. Wakefield. Miss Pattie had but Just
entered her sixteenth year. They lived hap
ply for the space of ten days, when Zeke's
heart literally bursted with It's surease of
happiness, and he adropped dead.n 1t was
generally known that his estate would
''pan out" TO the extent above mentioned.
About midnight of Monday, 21st, a party
of four horsemen called at the house of Mr..
Wakefield, and aroused the sleeping family.
They were disguised after the manner Of
Ku-kluS, as popularity conceived, and pro-
Tossing TO be grand-sons of the deceased
Parkhurst, demanded the delivery to them
of the cash assets of the est tie, say $1,000.
This demand was coupled with the alterna-
tive-the money or blood. They were in
formed that the deceased had left the
money, but that it was then In the care
and safe keeping of Mr.. John Wakefield;
'son Of the old man." and brother
to the disc0nsolate young widow; also that
John was not at home, and that the exact
whereabouts of the money could not be
ascertained without seeing John, who
would be home on the morrow, Tuesday.
This clear and fair statement seemed to
satisfy the maskerS; and they rode away.
John returned the next day, and being in |
formed of "what was up" invited select |
party of his neighbOrs to spend the night |
with him, whom he disposed outside the |
house. Late at night the sound of hoOfs |
told the approach of horsemen, bat in the |
to receive them, an untimely noise |
was made, and the horses seampered /
off before their riders were identified. 1t /
is supposed they were the ''grand-sons' as
aforesaid, and they have not turned up
since. This summary mode of admins
.ering on dead peoples effects is not strictly
popular in this county, and will hardly be
There is little or no political enthusiasm
IN this county. though the people have their
yves open, and viii turn out in their
strength at the polls. They will show a
decided Democratic and Conservative ma
ority in November. The negro element in
he county is small, and the Civil
Rights abominatiOn has demoralized
he Radical voters and paralyzed the lead
rs. The Representative district Macon,
Jackson and Clay eounties) will probably
end Mcmillan, of Celina. The Senatorial
ace is between Butler, late Secretary of
State, of Jackson, and Burford, of Trous-
lAle.
The canvassers for Congress are Head, of
summer, Mcconnell, of Trousdale, Starke,
# Robertson, and Goodpasture, of Overton.
lead is the strongest in this county, though
lie materially injured his prospects by his
premature letter on finance, which the
JNION AND AMERICAN ventilated at the
ime Of its appearance. The other two
ne both men of inherent strength
nd it is not impossible that some one who
las not entered the canvass, but who has |
expressed no reluctance to
CRYING the people in Congress in the event
hey cannot combine on q better man, will
e before the convention-which meets at
carthage on the LIST of October. This has
zen the attitude Of Col. John Murray, Of
acllson. In the event just supposed, some
houghtfUl people have surnised that
Dewitt, of Smith, would fill the bill,
hough be has no thought of being put for
Yard. Whoever may be selected will be
elected, as the district is
lore decidedly anti-Radical than at any
me heretofore. TONsON.