Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-21
THE REYNOLDS TRAGEDY.
Capture of JOhu webb-AnOther Elk.
citing Scene I'm the Drama.

Capture of John webb-AnOther Elk.
citing Scene I'm the Drama.
From the Knoxville Press and Herald, March 10.
The morning passenger train from Carey
vile brought to the city, yesterday, John
Webb,-aceused, with Duncan, Of COM
plicity in the Reynolds tragedy. He was
taken up Gay street, securely chained and
guarded, and was curiously gazed upon as
he passed onward to the county jail Mr..
William Lewis furnished rs with the fol-
lowing account of the search for and cap
ture of Webb:
Mr.. Lewis was no uncOncerned listener
to the narratives of the murder of Mr.. Rey-
nolds, the rape of Mrs. Reynolds, the 'pur-
suit after Duncan, his tragic death, and the
various rumOrs in circulation regarding
the tragedy. He became convinced that
Webb, alleged to be Duncan's partner in
the crime, was secreted about or around
Careyville. On Monday, he spoke to the
Attorney General, mentioning his convic-
ton, and volunteering 10 endeavOr to effect
his capture. The Attorney General told
him to go ahead, but, if at all possible, to
secure the prisoner alive. This, Mr.. Lewis
readily promised, and the sequel shows
how carefully and successfully he kept his
promise.
Leaving Knoxville on Monday afternoon
last, on the Knoxville and Ohio railroad,
Mr.. Lewis commenced the task. At Clin-
ton he learned some facts which strengthen
ed his conyictiOnas to Webb's Whereabouts.
AT Coal Creek, he met Thomas Sartin-
who, with his brother, Columbus SartiD,
had captured and shot DUnean-and asked
him if he knew where Webb was. Receiv-
ing an answer in the negative he went on
to Careyville, Sartin being on the train.
Before bedtime, Mr.. Lewis discovered
what he termed
"MOCCAsIN SIGNS
in relation to Webb's whereabouts, which
still more convinced him that he was on
the right trail. Next morning, Thomas
Sartm left, saying he was going to
Knoxville. His brother, Columbus,
invited Lewis to 90 to his saloon and
take drink. Lewis went to the house in
company with Sartin and another man,
and all three cordially imbibed. The
saloon is in one part of the house, the re-
manning being the dwelling part of the
building, and occupied by the Sartin fami-
IL. Mr.. Lewis states that no reference to
Webb while in the saloon. Leaving here,
about o'clock in the morning, and speak
ing to some of the residents of CareyviIle,
he was informed that man was seen 20
ing into
sARTIN's CELLAR
about daylight. This satisfied him as to
the whereabouts of Webb, and he imme-
diately began to consider how best to cap
ture him. He soon afterwards met Mr.. p.
G. Wallace, an old acquaintance, residing
in Anderson county. Pledging him to Sc
crecy, he obtained his ready consent to as
sist, providing third man was obtained TO
aid them. Mr.. Lewis thought that two
were sufficient, but yielding to Mr.. Wal
lace's wish, he found that there was no one
in Careyville who would be likely to agree
to help, and so the two men mounted
horses and rode to JscbSboro.
THE TRIO COMPLETE.
In the courthouse at JacksbOrO, court be-
ing in session, Mr.. Lewis met his cousin,
DR.. Joseph Lewis, Of POwelrs Valley, to
whom the plans were cOnfded. and who
agreed to become the third man in the IN
dertaking. Columbus Sartin had also
come to JacksbOrO, and the trio departing
left him there. The three men arrived at
Sartin's house about noon. They made a
pretense of wishing drinks, but found the
saloon closed and their knocks failed to
secure admission. They then went into
the dwelling part of the house, and found
Mrs. Sartin there alone. They asked if
she could furnish them whisky and were
sin plent." Then Mr.. Lewis,
who was well acquainted with Mrs. Sartin,
asked her if Webb was not in the cellar, to
which she replied with an air of astOnish-
ment, "Why, Mr.. Lewis what are Won
talking abOut?' Further questions were
also answered indirectly. Mr.. Lewis no
ticing a revolver on the bed, picked it up,
and kept it in spite Of Mrs. SaTtin'S renOn-
Strances. He then declared that he was
going into the cellar after Webb, and Mrs.
Sartin declared, "If you do you'll get Your
brains blOwed out, and | won't STAY TO see
it," and left the house,
AT THE CELLAR DOOR.
Leaving Wallace at the south corner of
the house, the two Others proceeded to the
only entrance to the cellar, fat door Open-
ing on the outside, Lewis raised the I'M
fastened hasp, lifted the dooE, and stepping
down, called to Webb to come out.
AN OMNIBUS CLICK.
There was no answer to the call, save
that moment after, an ominous click was
heard proceeding from the further corner of
the cellar, and Lewis was quickly ierked
outside again by his companion. Lewis
then called on Webb to come out and sur
render, promising him protection from any
violence, Webb then for the first time
made his presence known by swearing with
terrible oaths that he would not come out,
and would shoot the first man who entered.
The parley lasted considerably over an
hour.
THREATS OF SNORING OUT.
Finding he could not get at Webb with
tut Fisking his own life and that of Webb's
IS well, Mr.. Lewis told him that he would
smoke him out by burning the house down,
md Mrs. Sartin, who had returned, was
old to have the furniture taken out Webb
hen offered to come out if he would be a.
owed to remain until his friends" arrived.
Further parleying ensued, without bring
ng out Webb, and the work of carving out !
he furniture was renewed. Finally Webb |
greed to come ont il Mr.. Ben Wheeler of |
he town was present. Mr.. Wheeler was
ent for and On his arrival Webb was nOti- |
ned and was told to come out and bring |
us pistol butt end foremost, or he would |
'e fired on. This he did, and coming OUT |
i the cellar, he was taken prisoner, and /
iiSarmed Of large navy revolver, which he
lad in his hand, aud OF derrinser carried
a his pocket. lie was taken Ia BENJAMIN
Nheeler's and there piniOned. Thence
Re was conveyed to JacksbOro. Court
vas in session, and by Judge YOung's
Fdsr strong guard kept watch of the
rEoner during the night. Early yesterday
aeTAins, the captured and the captOrs re-
arned to Careyville, and took tho train for
knoxville, arriving in this city at Il o'clock.
wEBB's STORY.
Webb denies entirely having been with
)9nean, says he never was at Reynolds,
nd don't know Ayers. He claims TO be
bic to prove an alibi by Ghe miners at
'areyville. He says he was concealed in
artin's cs.lsE because he had surrendered
inlSelf to them to be examined In Knox
lille. when the excitement was allayed.
sARTIN's STATEMENT.
Ii il claimed by the Sartins that Webb
ad surrendered to them and that they had
1fandpl brinoiDs him IN KnoN,-iIIa ,es- /