Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-15
a STORY OF TWO STATES.
Important Question Of Comfy Between
Tennessee and Illinois.

The correspondence Between GOV.
Brown and Gov. Beyeridge About
George Washington Lafayette Smith
- Full Account of His Crime aud
the circumstances Leading TO His
Arrest-A Case Dating Back 10 the
Civil War.
Among our Associated Press dispatches
in Yesterdays issue, was a telegram dated
Chicago, giving a synopsis Of a correspond
ence between Gov. Beveridge, of Illinois,
and Gov. Jno. c. Brown, concerning the
arrest in Illinois OF one Geo. w. Smith, an
alleged murderer, by the agents of this
State, ithOut a requisitiOn upon the Gov
eruor Of Illinois. We obtained the cores
pondence in full at the Capitol yesterday,
and give place 10 it this morning. Gov.
Brown gives al length the details of the
murder, the escape of the murderer, and
the circumstances of the arrest.
BROWN TO BEvERIDGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, NASH
VILE. Tenn, Oct. 6, lST4.-IIiS Excel
lency. Hon. John l.. Beverage, Governor
Of Llinois-Sir: Your communication Of
the 18th ult., in reference to the alleged
capture of George W. Smith within the
borders of your State by TennesseeanS,
and the bringing him here for trial, was
not seen by me for several days after it
reached my office, because Of my temporary
absence. l have very carefully inyesti-
gated the facts of that case, and find them
substantially as follows:
During the late war, (and perhaps in the
year 1922 Geo. w. Smith alias LaFay-
cite Smith, deliberately and maliciously
murdered one Henry Bradford, in our
county Of Henry, both being then citizens
of that county. The murderer was ar
rested. and the courts being suspended by
the war, he was taken before a provost
marshal for trial. That officer declined to
hear the case, alleging as a reason, that not
being a military OfienSe, he had no juriS-
iiclon. He was turned loose, left the
country. and was not heard OF until a
month or two ago. The murderer and his
victim were both ardent adherents of the
Confederate cause, aud the homicide was
not ascribable in the least to the issues or
incidents of the war.
At the January term, 1868, Of the Cir
cult Court in the county of Henry, an in
Gictment was found against Smith for
murder in the first degree.
All efforts to find Smiths place of refuge
proved unavailing, although efforts were
repeatedly made with the object Of bring
ing him to trial. At last it was TepOrted'
upon what was deemed reliable authority,
that Smith was in Kentucky. And upon
proper application to this office a requisi-
ton was made, two or three months ago,
upon the Governor of that State, for Smith.
An agent was appointed to receive the
murderer. Finding that he was not IN
KENTUCKY. where he had been heard
of. and learning that he was proba-
bly, in the State of Illinois, the agent
went into that State, with the sole view Of
ascertaining whether that report was true,
intending, ifverified, to get a requisitiOn
upon YOUR Excel ency. While pursuing
this intention. he met or fell in with Smith
on the public highway, and they recognized
each other. The agent, fearing that fur
Their DELAY, after this recognition, would re-
suit in the final escape of Smith, arrest
ed him and brought him across the river.
SIN this friends followed aud sued out a
writ of habeas corpus in KENTUCKY, which
was heard before a Circuit Judge of that
State. who refused 10 discharge him, and
Smith was brought to Henry county and
lodged in Jail, where he now awaits his
trial.
l learn that the proof is overwhelming
against Smith, and that neither he, nor bis
attorneys, made any pretense of former
conviction or acquital.
The facts thus stated, have been de-
rived from unquestiOned sources, and may
be relied upon.
The act of the party aTrestiDg Smith was
without my authority and is not, Of course,
justified. Yet, l feel assured that there
was 10 purpose of violating your laws, or
defying the authority Of your State.
Under this state of facts, and with these
assurances, l hope your EXcellency will
find it compatible with a sense of duty Gas
| have done on several similar occasions) to
make no demand either for the murderer
or for the party who arrested him.
Awaiting your reply, am, very respect
fully. your obodient servant,
JNO. c. BROWN, Gov. of Tenn.
BEVEMDGE TO BROWN.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, SPRING
FIELD, Ill Oct. l., 1SI4.-His EXcellen-
cy, Hon. JnO. q. BrOwn-GOvernOr OF Ten
nessee, Sir: am IN receipt of yOur COM
municatlon of the 9th inst, in reference to
the arrest and abduction Of Geo. w. smith,
Of Massoc county. Illinois.
With due difference to your EXcellency S
views and wishes in the premises, in my
opinion II matters not whether Smith is
guilty or innocent of the charge for which
he stands indicted i'm Henry county, Tenn.
Il is apparent that he was forcibly and
against his will arrested and carried tey0nd
the jurisdiction OF the State If Illinois
without authority of law; lherelHe, deem