Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1874-03-12
Carpet-Bag Murder.
Col. Morgan Quietly Assassinates
Sheriff Hiiliard - Marrying a
Woman Of African Descent Sole
iy for political Effect.


of this " by Col. Morgan,
Sheriff elett, passed off quietly.
Such tragedies are OF too fire.
quent occurrence in this lati-
tude to excite more than gen
tie ripple on the surface Of the
social current. Both Sheriffs
! We're Northern white men, elec-
ted to Office by black Republi-
cans. For many years they
have been leading spirits in the
politics of this section, control
ing the negro vote and securing
for themselves the most lucra-
tive offices in the county. Hill
! lard held the Shcritf's o.iice for
four years, and is said to have
accumulated a fortune. Nor
gan was Chancery Clerk, con-
ceding the chief place to his
friend HiLliard on account of
the latters superior ability and
influence with the negroes. But
Morgan grew in favor with the
constituency, and being an am
bitious man he aspired the lead
ership Of the party. To prove
/ his devotion to the cOlored pop
ulation, he married a daughter
I of Africa, and made & wedding
tour with his bride through the
\ orth, subjecting himself to
many indignities and insults,
which, being duly reported, on
'Iy served to strengthen his po-
litical fortunes 1t home.
He succeeded in obtaining
the nomination fur Sheriff last
November and was elected by Il
triumphant majority.
This murder grew out Of Hill
lads determination not to sur
render the keys Of Office until
the question Of the validity Of
the late election should be passed
upon by the Court. In this he
adopted the policy of Gov. Pow
crs and other State officers. -
Morgan announced his purpose
TO take possession of the office
forcibly, ifneed be, and in view
Of this threat Mr.. ELiiliard, with
his deputies, held the office
night and day, prepared to re-
Sist such an attempt.
On the evening before the
murder a conference was held
beteen the contestants and it
was mutually agreed TO await
and abide by the action of the
Supreme Court in a similar case,
submitted 10y the treasurers Of
an adjacent county. Hilliard,
regarding the difficulty settled,
retired from the court house and
passed the night with his fami-
ly. The next morning on 60
ing to his Office, which is in the
courthouse, he found Morgan
and his deputies in armed pos
session. Summoning few
friends he proceeded to the
courthouse TO reason matters
with Morgan, but on pushing
open the door Of his Office he
was fired on by Morgan's depu-
ties, who were inside. Morgan
was outside the building. 1t is
said he anticipated danger, but
relied upon his deputies to do
the bloody work. When Hill
lard perceived that he had been
wounded in the groin, he turned
away, and in a bent posture,
with his hand on the wound, he
walked to the courthouse door,
where he was met by Morgan
with a revolver in his hand,
which he (Morgan) discharged,
the ball lodging in billiards.
brain and causing instant death.
Hilliard exhibited no weapon
at any stage of the tragedy.
Although, as remarked, this
murder produced but slight sem
sation in the community, the
subsequent committal of Nor
gan to jail occasioned very
great commotion among the col
ored people, who are, with few
exceptions, his Barm friends,
ready to vote or fight for him at
his .dictation. For some days
it Rs surmised that an attempt
would be made to liberate the
prisoner, and on last Friday
evening a body Of armed ne
groes approached the Jail for
this purpose. No resistance
was offered, butMorgan declined
to avail himself of their loyal
services. He held q consulta-
ton with his legal adviser and