Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-05-16
MURDER FOR MONEY.
]. J. CaTerbilI, OF Gibson County, Aur.
dered for his MOHey-A Terri
BILE Crime.

From an Occasional Correspondent
KENToN, TENN, May l3.-The records
of suicides, duels, and fatal sdrays which
are daily brought to our notice, have, Of
late years, become 80 common that we
are accustomed to regard them as 8 nat
ural part Of the programme which Is
being enacted in this age Of demOraliZa-
ton. We listen to their recital, or read
the details, with only passing word of
comment on the laxity of law and the
depravity of mankind. But when one
Of these old-fashiOned, premeditated,
cold-bloOded murders occurs, we in
stinetively shudder at the GOODNESS with
which
THE ASSASSIN DOES HIS WORK,
and more especially where the murderer
has entertained no hatred or iIl-Win
toward his victim, but is melted to the
deed only by love of money and de-
sire to rob. Such a murder was COM
mitted at Rutherford Station, Gibson
county, last night. T. J. Caverhil was
bTutally murdered in bed, and robbed of
five hundred dollars. He had been a
resident Of the town for several years,
and his death is deeply lamented by ali
the community. After supper, one of
his children being unwell, he sug-
gested to his wife that she had
better retire and leave the sick
child in his charge, as he was IN the
habit Of remaining up until late hour.
Mrs. CaYerhill retired, and about two
O'Clock her husband went into an adjoin-
ing room where another one of the chill
dren was sleeping, threw himself upon
the bed, and fell asleep, little thinking
it was q sleep from which he should
never awake. He had been there but a
short time when his wife was aroused
by the frightened cry of the child that
had been sleeping by his side, and, en-
tering the room, she found her husband
bleeding, lifeless corpse, with
TWO HIDEoUs GAsHEs
one in the forehead. Upon this discov-
cry Mrs. Cayerhill was overcome with
the most indescribable horror, and her
painful screams and cries soon aroused
the neighbOrs, who promptly assembled,
but the murderous fiend had done his
work in haste and had fed. This was
about three o'clock, and, owing to the
darkness, but little investigation could
be made before daylight. The assassin
had evidently been
WATCH1NG HIS VICTIM
through the window all night, and only
waited till he should fail asleep to perpe-
trate the horrible deed. Finding at last
that his time had come, he stealthily
entered the room, and proceeded to
divest the unconscious sleeper OF five
hundred dollars in money, q watch and
some private papers. 1t is probable that
the unfortunate man became aware Of
the presence of some one in the room.
and showed signs of waking, whereup-
on the rebber, to prevent recognition
and detection,
DEALT HIM THE FATAL BLOWS,
which must have been done by heavy
iron or the back of a hatchet. The muir
dered man uttered no cry, and gave no
alarm, but sank back and expired with
out word. As soon as it was light
enough the citizens turned out, and af-
ter a close examination of the premises
they got
ON THE MURDERER's TRACK.
He had hitched his horse on the north
aide Of the house, and approached 1t on
foot through the back yard. The watch
was found on the ground where his
horse had been hitehed, and where he
must have dropped it in his haste to
leave the spot when the scream of the
terrified woman alarmed the neighbor-
hood. The fugitive took a north ward
course, and his trail was followed some
distance in that direction, but was final
ly lost. Every exertion is being made
to overhaul the guilty party, and some
suspicious are entertained, but up to this
writing no definite clue has been OBJ
tanned, and no important arrests have
been made.