Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-04-15
THE WOOTEN MURDER.
Another Version OF the Circumstances
Attending the Killing Of Young
WOOten by YarbrOugh, at
Holly Springs.

FDTrORs. .APPEAL-HOur paper Of tEl
fourteenth. contains an account Of thu
killing OF JOSEPH WOOten by GeOrg
Yarbrough, near Molly Springs, on Sat
llr,lav last, in which account iDjustici
T. done. aud the facts are greatly per
verted. The sffair vas unfortunate an'
uupremeditated, and is sincerely la
meuted by all parties; ard II Is 10 oe re
gretted that such sensational and high
lv prejuiiced statements should be pub
lished, since they are 50 well calculated
10 make feud out of what Is properly
q matter for mutual sorrow, and not io
angry TecriminatiOn.
/ was present at the examination be
fore the committing court. st Holly
Springs, on Monday last. The Stst'
was represented By distinguished coun
sci, and ouly the States witnesses WerE
examined, NarbrOugh waiving the IN
PRODUCTION Of testimony in defense. The
magistrates, without hesitation, held
the case 70 be bailable, and the required
bond was readily given.
DR.. John McRayen and Lewis Nc
LAIN, well-knOwn citizens Of the cOun-
", together with a number of cOlOred
teCDle, witnessed the affair, which Oc-
run'ed in front Of Yarbrough's residence,
siy miles west Of Holly Springs. Both
YarbrCugh and deceased were quite So
Der. and they were friendly, and had
no cause Of quarrel. A younger man,
however. 3 relative Of WOoten, and
whom WoOten was seeing to his house,
several miles west OF Garbrough's, was
10 much intoxicated as to be quarrel
some and uncomfortable. This young
man first quarreled with 3 colOred man,
sud. when NarbTough demonstrated,
,stsmounted and pitched into" him.
Va through, seeing his condition, and at
gu,Nst Of MOOten, nearly pushed him
oft and started for the house. The
yoiInO M eu followed, aud repeated his
attack NE testimony showed that
efforts of YsrbroUgh TO free himself,
and the repea ted attacks Of the unrea-
.3piBk youth. must bave been cOntin-
ued fJr haitian hour of more before DIR.
McRaven and Mr.. Mel can came up;
and that Joe WOoten and 4arbrough
were both doing all they could to
make the young man behave olm-
self When Or. MGR. and Mel. rode
10 NarlT0Ugh left the other young men
near the gate Of his yard and came to
those gentlemen in the road The
Young man followed using abusive epi-
ibets. aud DR.. McRaven asked Var
bT0ugb not TO notice him, and he
said be would not. The young man
Uut his left hand on Yarbrough's sbOul-
der and his right to his collar. Var
brougb pushed him OF and started
again toward his gate. Meantime the
continued worry and fret had doubtless
heated the tempeTs Of both 1arbrough
aud WOOten to an explosive state.
,NOoten then remarked to Var
h,ougb. If you hit him again
+ will knock b-ll out Of you" And
tl,a replv was: 81 don't intendt TO strike
Iio, but may be you want to take it
nm y And then the parties clinched.
Ns~bro ugh was thrown, and Wooten on
10, bas ( hin in the face with his list,
stIizing several blows. Harbrough
,vas seen With closed pccket-knlie IN
I,ie band bl1f could not use il. The wit
',,esses separ,,ted them, and LEFT them
.gis,,f or ten feet apart, seemingly quiet.
~ McRaveu was holding the olheI
.,.o1p, man. Nj. Mclean, thinking tne
6gbf ended. went to mount BIS
r4nie when he heard the eXclama-
tion UDon't cut me, GEORGE
followed by the reply: "DOn' I press me-
hen % and. turning, be saw the parties
rsca IN face. WOoten holding nsI-
l.rougl,s ffght wrist with his left hand,
Yarbrough having an open knlIe ~ ms ls
tight hand, struggling to cut Ihe arm ~ ~
IVooten, and WoOten aiming Diow
with his right fist. The next moment
ns saw a quick, Tearward blow py ar
brough, with his left hand, but did n0t
zee the knife. The parties Immediately
-eDarated, YaTbrough walking by wiz
1ess. with the open knife 10 his hsno,
al which time be said to Dr. MchaVeh
s.There IS q patient foT you, doctor" Inc
wound proved TO be in the lower poset,,
rior part Of the right lung, and was iatAi
within half an hour. pp.cF