Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1875-10-23

consult and to act. The conclusion was
universal, that these crimes were the
deeds of the Harps. Rewards for their
heads, dead or alive, had already been
publicly offered. The pioneers Of the will
derness had resolved 10 capture them
A company was formed 70 hunt the muir
derers, consisting Of John Leeper, James
TOmpkinH, Silas Magby, Nevin Lindsey,
Mathew Christy, Robert Robertson and
the infuriated Aosea Stigall. II there
were any others Mr.. Ruby had forgotten
their names. These men, armed with ri
fies, got on the traiLof the Harps and over
took them at their carfp, upon the waters
Of the Pond river; but whether In the
present boundary Of Hopkins or Mullen
burg county, 1 have not satisfactorily as
certained. About quarter of mile
from the camp, the pursuing party saw
the Little Harp, and . man named Smith,
huntiRg horses N the range, cOnversing
NE ar pl14'y q bEaE1cai - tssteE. : his WORD
-fsftii5e Vas tlsesl.i'5 che eaf1
Kentucky to designate the natural pasro-
rage Of cane brake, wild pea-vines and
grass on which their live stock grazed.-
The Llttle Harp charged Smith with be
ing a horIe-thief, and blew in his charg-
er. Charger iAa small implement with
which the hunter measures his powder
in loading his gun. The shril sound
thereby produced, soon brought the Big
Harp to the branch TO see what was the
matter. The pursuing party and the Big
Harp arrived at the branch, coming in
opposite directions, nearly at the same
time. The Big Harp came mounted on a
large grey mare, the property OF the muir
dered Love, and which he had appropia-
ted. The pursuers, not doubling the
guilt Of those whom they had oYertGken,
without notice fired upon them, badly
wOunding Smith, but not hitting either
of the Harps. The Big Harp was in the
act of shooting Smith as those in front a
mong the pursuers fired. He had cooked
his gun and told Smith he must die. But,
surprised by the yolley he received and
the rushing up or the persons, be reSerV-
ed his fire, whirled Loves mare and gall
lOped off to his camp. The Little Harp
ran of on foot into a thicket and was not
seen afterwards. On reaching Smith, the
pursuers were detained n short time lis
tening to his explanation. He was regar-
ded as An accomplice of the Harps, but
soon demonstrated his innocence, and his
life was spared. As soon as satisfied by
Smiths explanation, the purEuers has
tened to the camp. As they reached in
sight, they saw the Big Harp hastily sad
ding the horses and preparing to take of
the women with him. As soon as he saw
the rapid approach OF the pursuers, he a.
gain mounted Loves mare, armed with
rifle and pistols, and darted off, leaving
the women and children to provide for
themselves. They were soon made pris-
oners; and Magby, who was large fat
man unfit for the chase, and one other
were left behind TO guard them. Loves
mare was large and strong and seemed TO
carry the POO lbs. weight of her rider, the
Big Harp, with much ease, and he SEEM
ed determined TO call on his powerful
and finely formed grey to expend all her
strength in his behalf. Tompkins, rath-
er small man, rode 4 thorough bred,
llblOOded bay mare of the best Virgin
ia stock, about 10 hands high, and he led
in the pursuit. He had chased thieves
before, and when he came back, the only
account he ever gave of one of them was,
as Mr.. Ruby said, ''that he would never
steal another horse" Nance was the
name of his mare, and she exhibited both
speed and bottom in this race of life or
death. The other horses of the pursuing
party were nothing like equal to Nance,
or Loves mare, and their riders being
large men, the Big Harp might entertain
hopes of escape. In the frsttwo or three
miles of the race he kept far ahead, no
one trailing him in sight except TOmp-
kins. There was no difficulty in follow
ing with speed, through the rich mellow
soil OF the wilderness, the tracks made by
the horses of Harp and TOmpkins. Leep-
er was second in the chase, and the rest
followed after at intervals as rapidly as
possible, Upon the river and creek bot
toms the trees of the forest grew very
large. In passing out into more elevated
land the trees become spare and high
crop of prairie grass grew among them.
As the race progressed the Big Harp drove
into a thick forest of large trees upon a
creek bottom. He approached the stream,
intending to cross it. As he got near the
bank he encountered a large poplar tree,
four o. five feet in diameter and about
one hundred feet in length, which had
been blown down, its roots being at the
perpendicular bank of the creek and its
top extending back from the creek, so as
to make an angle between the creek and
body of the tree of about forty degrees.
He passed down between the creek and
the tree and the point of the angle, reach
ing which he discovered that the bank
was so high and perpendicular that it
was impossible TO descend and cross the
creek with safety, and that IL was alike
dangerous to attempt jumping over the
tree. He paused TO contemplate the situ-
alton, and concluded il was best to back
out and 20 around the head Of the tree
and hunt another crossing place. He re-
traced his steps to the head Of the tree,
and there he met Thompson face TO face,
with only some thirty or forty steps be
tween them. Each refined up his foam
ing steed, and stopped. Neither attempt
ed to fire on the other. Tompkins told
Harp that his escape was impossible and
that he had better surrender. ''Nevcr -
was Harp's brief reply, and at that mo-
ment Leeper was in sight, fastening for
ward as fast rs his horse could bring him.
Harp Immediately dashed off at full
speed, while Tompkins tarried for the ar
rival of Leeper. As soon as he got up to
Tompkins, he said, ''why didn't you
shoot him:" Tompkins replied that his
mare was so fiery he could not make a
safe shot upon her, and he would not fire
unless he was sure of execution
Leeper had fired upon the Harps and
Smith at the Branch, and found in pre-
pairing 10 reload his gun, the ramrod
could not be drawn in consequence of its
having got wet and swelled. He there
fore told TOmpkins, that he could not re-
load, and that his horse was fast failing,
and that Harp would escape unless Nance
could catch him. TOmpkins replied,
''She can run over him upon any part OF
the ground LeepCr said. LET Us ex-
change horses, and let me have your gun
and shot-pouch and III bring him down
if l can OYertake him. Tompkins con-
/ sented. They dismounted, exchanged
horses and arms, and Leeper mounted
/ Nance and dashed forward after the Big
/ Harp. The noble mare proved her abili-
! ~ TO ''run over him upon any part of the
/ ground
Le5pCr crossed the creek where Harp
/ did. and after passing through the thick
/ tall trees growing in the bottom, came in
I sight of the fleeing Harp As he reached
/ higher ground, with prairie grass and
1 scattered trees. '"The gray mare was
/ mot the better horse" Nance gradually
| gained upon her. When Leeper got VI
within thirty or forty yards, Harp tOlC
him ''to stand off. or he would kill him.
( Laeper answered, zone of US has got L
die and the hardest fend off, When th'
. woods had become quite open and inter
| posed but few Instructions to the sight
. Leeper said he thought he had "a goo,
/ chsnCe.'N He suddenly put Nance to he
I full speed and rushed up within ten step
. of Harp. threw his leg over the name an,
the bride rein over Nance'S head, jump
ed to the ground, took aim and fired
Harp refined up, turned, presented hi
gun and il snapped. He did this with
out dismOunting. Leeper said ''if Harp
guu had not snapped, the ball would no
have passed within twenty yards of him
so badly was it aimed" Harp then thrcy
mis- gun down, wheeled the grey mar
and pushed on his course. From thes
circumstances Leeper said, '-he knew Il
had hit him." Leeper soon caught an
remouHted Nance and pursued. 1t wa
but short time before he overlook an
came near Harp, who told him to keep O
or he would shoot him with pistol l
a short time Harp ceased TO urge the gre
mare forward, and put both his hands
the pOmmel of the saddle 10 hold OF
Leeper rushed up and threw him to I'll
ground. Two balls had entered near II
back bone and came out near the bFeas
bone. Harp begged that he be taken
, justice and not be put to instant dealt