Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-16
WEST NAsHYILLE,s TRAGEDY.
Lycurgus McCasland Shot Dead For
a Burglar.
The Deed Done by his Friend and
Former ROOm-Mate.
A Catastrophe That Looks Like the
Work Of Fate.

From the 18th oflast February till night
before last, Lyeurgus McCasland was en-
gagged out on the Nashville, Chattanooga
and st. Louis Railway, in guarding con-
victs. Wednesday night he returned to
this city in charge Of a number O~fconvicts,
who were unable to work, arriving here
between twelve and M o'clock. Shortly
before the latter hour he went to the house
of his brOther-in-law, Matt +. Allen, on
Porter street, a short distance from the
Chattanooga depot. As the family had no
intimation Of his coming, and his arrival
was altogether unexpected to them, he pos
sibly intended to play a little game Of sur
prise by slipping quietly in the house with
out arOusing any one; or it might have
been, that he was unwilling 10 disturb any
body on his account, as he was a little
peculiar in this respect. At any rate, in
stead Of knocking at the front door he
came to a rear room of the house, occupied
by William T. Allen, a brother Of his
brother-in-law.
People IN that portion of the city have
recently been much troubled with burglars,
and Mi. Allen was prepared for their re-
ceptiOn. A little while before Mr.. Nc
Casland came to the house Mr.. Allen heard
a noise in the yard, and went out to see
what was the cause of the disturbance;
but hearing nothing be returned and went
to bed again.
After he had been in bed a few moments
he saw some one at the window on the
porch. He could see nothing but the mans
face, and thinking it was a rObber, took his
pistol out from under the pillow. The
face now appeared at a window on the Op-
posite side Of the room, and the man try
ing to raise the sash. This excited Mr..
Allen very much, and he was now con-
WINGED that somebody was ~endeavOring tC
break into the house. Aiming towards
the window, he fred, and the ball tool
effect in Mr.. M~cCasland's left breast.
After having been shot be walked around
the house, entered the porch, and when in
the act Of falling was caught by some mem.
Der Of the family, all Of whom had beer
aroused by the discharge Of the pistol. He
was taken into the house, and after linger
ing about ~three-qUaTters Of an hour, ex
pired.
DIS. Compton and Henry were sent for
and, both living near, were soon on the
scene. But the fatal bullet had done it!
work, and no human power could save tht
unfortunate victim from death.
The deceased was thirty two years o
age, unmarried, and a man of exception
ally good morals. His uprightness ans
unObtrusiVe manners won for him many
friends, who will mourn his loss. Will,
loving relatives shed bitter tears over hi.
untimely end, no one gives way to mon
violent grief than the man who innOeentll
brought about his premature death. WheI
Mr.. MCCasland was in the city he and Mr.
Allen roomed together and were Away
strong friends.
Recorder Duling summoned as a jury 0
inquest j. II. Firth, +. 5. BOlles, W. D
Mayo, II. K. Anderson, W. II. Tucker an,
Z. L. StObey. After the examination O
the witnesses the jury returned the follow
ing verdict: "That the said Lycurgus Nc
Casland came to his death by a pistol shot
by the hand of VIM. F. Allen, he, th
said William F. Allen, having shO
under a misapprehension, he believing tina
the deceased was a rObber or burglar al
tempting an entrance into the house by wa
Of the window"