Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-15
Why WOOdsOn was not Sent Back for
Trial.
Mob Violence Feared by the Civil
Authorities.
Exciting RumOFs Of a Raid from
Rutherford.
A Strong Guard Of Soldiers at the Jail
Last Night,
But no Demonstration from any
Quarter.
Our Special Correspondent on the Feel
ing at MurfreeSbOrO.


over the murder Of Mrs. Vim. jarrett
proves to be far more incorporate than we
had proof of before going to press Sunday
morning. The accused negro, Jesse Wood
sor, was brought to Nashville last Satur-
day evening for security-the officers and
citizens of MurfreesboTO having been firm
ly convinced that, in case he remained
there during Saturday night, he would not
live to see the next days sun. Indeed, the
officers feared that he would be Wrested
from them before getting of to Nash
vile with him, as a crowd OF about
80 men followed them to the train, making
rather Ominous demonstrations. The fear
would have been realized doubtless but for
want of organization among those willing
TO participate. The prisoner was brought
here with tho understanding that he would
be taken back yesterday morning, for pre-
liminaTy examination. This Mr.. jarrett,
the bereaVed husband wished him to have
without molestatiOn and so declared, with
the view Of allaying the excitement, stat
ing that be did not feel absolutely certain
that WOOdson was the guilty party.
On Sunday, two men came to Nashville
from MurfreesbOrO in q buggy-there being
no train, and they took little pains to con-
ceal the object Of their visit. They made
careful inquiries as to the disposal intended
to be made by the authorities of the pris-
Oner, and returned to MurfreesbOrO under
the impression that he would be sent back
there yesterday morning for his committing
trial.
WOOdsOn did not, however, go to MUIR
freesbOrO as was expected. j. II. Major,
Deputy Sheriff of Rutherford county, ar
rived by an early train, and after cOnsulta-
ton with the authorities, he and JailOr
Jackson were instructed by Attorney Gen
eral Caldwell to take the prisoner before
Judge Frazier, of the Criminal Court.
WOOdsOn waived the privilege Of prelim-
mary trial, and Judge Frazier committed
him to Jail here to await trial before the
Criminal Court Of Rutherford county at
the next term. The following is a copy of
the order:
State OF Tennessee VS.. Jesse WOOdson.
oThis day came the Attorney General,
who prosecutes for the State, and the de-
PENDANT having been BROUGHT to the bar of
the court in the custody Of the Sheriff Of
Rutherford county, and it appearing to the
court that a homicide has been committed
in the county Of Rutherford upon the body
of one Gertrude jarrett, that an inquest
has been held upon the body Of the de-
ceased, and that the jury of inquest
charged the defendant with the commits
sion Of the homicide, and the Coroner of
said county issued an order for his arrest;
that the Sheriff of said county arrested said
defendant; and It further appears that the
Sheriff was, and is, in apprehension, from
the excitement consequent upon the
homicide that some outbreak may follow
his Imprisonment in the jail of Rutherford
county, and that il would be unsafe TO
place him there, and has brought the de-
fendant before this court; and the defend
ant, in person and by counsel, being will
ing and DESTROYS TO waive all necessity Of
preliminary examination of the charge and
claims no right Of bail; and the court being
satisfied that It would be unsafe TO commit
the defendant to the Jail Of Rutherford
county, it is therefore considered by the
court that The defendant be committed to
the Jail Of Davidson county and there kept
until the next term Of the Criminal Court
to be held for Rutherford county, and until
demanded by said court"
When L was discovered in Rutherford
that the prisoner was not forthcoming,
telegraphic inquiry was made privately as
10 what would be done with him. The
answer having been returned that be would
be detained in Davidson cOuUty's castle,
the indignation was reported to be almost
bOuEdleSS, and then II was that the air be-
came thick with rumOrs Of a raid on Nash
vile. Among the reports was one to the
effect that a band, three hundred strong,
would come hither last night and make an
attack upon the Jail. The matter was
brought to the attention Of the civil authOri-
tees in good time, and they set about pro-
viding a guard for the Jail.
Captain Sam DOnelsOn, with about forty
OF the Porter Rifles and Capt. Kelley, with
about fifteen of the jackson Guards, in-
GLIDING all the officers, volunteered to de-
fend the cOunty's prison against violence
and, armed with Enfield rifles and bayOnets,
the bows reported for duty by I O'Clock.
The ammunition was not in very large
supply, but bayonets and side arms were
counted upon heavily by the volunteers.
Capt. DOnelsOn took command, and made !
the disposition Of the troops.
The main body Of the guard were posted |
in the Jail building, and sentTies we're |
stationed at the door and on the principal |
street corners in the neighbOrhOod. The |
sentries were under orders TO all Ow no one /
TO pass to or ffOm the Jail without giving /
the cOuutersign. Ia fact the force was dis |
posed in strict military style, and strict /
military discipline was maintained.
The rain storm made it rather disagree
able for those on guard out doors, but they /
stood at their posts with fortitude and
that would have done honor TO
4 maturer sOldiery. 1t was understood
that the detachments would remain a. the
all until after daylight this morning.
At the Jail, last night, they were not only
prepared 10 give any assailant warm re-
,eptiOn, but scouts were sent out on the
various roads, and the trains coming into
he city were closely watched.
THE FEELING IN RUTHERFORD.
Our enteTprising MurfreesbOrO cores
oOndent, writing under date Of $50 P. N.
yesterday, gives the following particulars
Of the wild excitement there:
GAS early as s A. NJ. the sovereigns began
pouring into town to atteLd WOodsJn's
trial, never doubling but that
be would be brought back this morning.
W men the train arrived without him, they
gave vent to their disappointment and
chargin in the most unresJrained manner.
through the different crowd
ed circles, heard many startling asser-
ions, rash threats, and knowing pred ic-
lions. A score or two of young bloOds
whose chivalrous valor, deep indignation
and outraged feelings robbed them of their
seriously contemplated an early
aid on the City of Rocks. An
lther equally valOrOus squad, gOaded by
heir disappointment and approaching the
to accomplish their hearts desire,
discussing the propriety Of holding an in
lignatiOn meeting over what they term the
OfficiOusness of our high Sheriff,
looming him to an inglOriOus defeat,
should he be a candidate for re election. In
till larger numbers cOngregated those who,
while they felt and deplOred the loss Of
ars. jarrett, and abhOred him who could
)erpetrate such an atrOcicus murder, felt
md appreciated the fact that our interests,
he interests of our State, in fact the interest
IF the entire South, demanded that
We should patiently await and allow the
aW to take its due course, awarding to
Sheriff Rams o nI land his Deputy. II. Major,
IS much praise for their energetic vigilance
IS the former did blame for their inteTter-
snce.
While the great majority Of our citizens
are as peaceable and law-abiding as any In
his or any other State, such q heinOus
act as this has naturally excited and eXas-
1erated them to such a high pitch that they
eel unwilling to allow such a criminal the
Easy fate that, after three or four years Of
mock trials, is usually doled out by one OF