Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-04-16
REMARKABLE IMPOSTURE
A North Caroiinian Pretends 10
be Deaf and Dumb and
Elopes from his family.

'a"s'J 'Ss'"ohs uuii"S 'nS "", auu "Si0
as good soldiers as marched under the
flag Of the C,ufsderacy. They all lived
in the same neighborhood in one of the
eastern counties Of this State, and were
comfortable of though owning no slaves.
The entire family lived in as good reputc
as any in the State-paying their way,
industrious, and many of them exemplary
members of some branch of the Christian
Church. John himself owned consid-
erable tract of land, was married, and
aad seven or eight children. He had for
years been member in excellent stand,
inn of the Methodist Church.
About a year before the war ended
John became entirely deaf. 1t was sup
posed to have been caused by the mal>
practice Of an assistant surgeon who was
said to have poured Croton oil in his ear
for q local irritation. John was detailed
for light duty of some description, and
remained with Lees army until it was
dissolved by the surrender of Appomat.
tox. He returned home and resumed
work for livelihood with diligence.
He continued to be deaf, aud carried a
slate and pencil, on which communica>
tions to him were made. He still had
perfect command of his voice, and was a
lively companion, good neigtbor, and
frequently prayed in meeting. About
two years after the war was over, in Civ
ing directions to bis sons one day about
some work, he found that they paid no
attention to him. After repeated efforts
to tell them his wishes, it was found that
no sound issued from his mouth. He
had suddenly and unconscously become
dumb
This additional misfortune produced no
change that was perccptibla, except that
Jones haG to use the little slate as we'll as
those who communicated with him. He
was as hard working as ever, always had
money, owed nobody, and was regarded
by all who knew him as the last man ia
the werld to do mean or dishonest ac-
tion. In the latter part of May, 1871, a
mule was stolen from him, but hi; broth>
er followed the track SO hOtly that the au
imal was rescued, and the thief, who be-
longed to well known gang, taken red
banded. One week after the loss of the
mule, on Sunday afternoon, Jones in.
formed his family that he was going into
the woods to get some whortleberries, left
home, and did not return. The neigh
borhood became alarmed, the woods
were secured for fourteen days by parties
numbering sometimes hundred, but nc
traces Of the lost man were found. Con
lecture was rife as to the causes Of his
disappearance, but it finally settled into
conviction that he had been spirited
away by the confederates Of the mule
thief and murdered.
About one month after jones' disap'
pearance young woman, whom we viii
call Mary Smith, who had been living
several Years in his family, but who, af'
ter the misfortune had returned to hel
parents in the neighLorhood, quit her
home, leaving no clue to her destination
whatever. Some suspicious persons en-.
deavored to connect the two events to-
gether, but it is an evidence Of the high
esteem Ill which Jones was held that but
few credited it. In December, 1871,
Mary Smiths mother received letter
from her daughter, saying she was married
and happy, and lived in county in the
central part of the State. In few days
after the reception Of this letter, Jone.
returned to bis family and friends. His
strange account was, that on the Sunday
evening he left home, he was assaulted
by two white men and a negro, and a.
he could not cry for assistance, they over
powered him, put him in covered wag
on, and carried him about thirty miles
beyond Raleigh, ana kept him in cave
for seven months. At length the Ku'
Klux got after his jailcrs, who had t.
run away,which left him ee,and he used
his liberty to get home as quickly as pos
sible.
A gentlemen, however, had taken th,
letter Mrs. Smith had received from bel
daughter, and written to this place it was
postmarked, instituted inquiries, and soor
found that a discovery was imminent
lie sold some land, and again decamped
none Of the peighbors taking any pains Il
find bis body this time.
In the meantime, the investigation
were pushed, and it was found that Jone
and the woman Mary Smith had beer
living as man and wife in j County
Jones was tSe same person in his ney