Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-04-11
THE MEDLIN MURDER.
Statements from the County Press
Causes Inducing the C0mHittal Of
| the Crime.

statements from the Country Press
Causes Inducing the COmnittaI Of
the Crime.
Brownsville States.l
Last Tuesday about noon a personal
difficulty occurred between Mr.. Robert
Medlin, clerk Of our county court, and
Messrs. Henry w. and Eli Bond,
brothers, which resulted in the death Of
Mr.. Medlin. Owing to the fact that the
case is TO have hearing before Justices
WinbOUrne, Anderson and Moore, to-
morrow, we will give no details what
ever, except TO say that there are doubt
less two sides to the question, and that
the public should hear the evidence be-
fore passing judgment on the accused.
Humboldt Herald.l
On Tuesday last, about noon, diff
Guilty occurred at Brownsville between
henry and Eli Bond and Robert Med |
lin, which resulted in the death of the
latter. From a gentleman who left there
shortly after the shooting occurred, We
lean that MedIin, who is clerk of the
county court, had the collection OF q sum
Of money from the administrator Of an
estate which the Bonds were attorneys
for, Medliu paid over the amount, less
a small portion which he retained as
fees. The Bonds would not agree that
he was Justly entitled to the sum he re-
tanned, and said he stole IL. Medlin
agreed to leave the matter with the
quarterly court, then in session, but
would not give up the balance OF the
money. To this the Bonds dissented,
and Monday one OF them attacked Med
lin in q threatening manner for settle
ment. He, it seems, made no further
efforts to settle the matter after his
proposition was declined, when on the
day above mentioned both OF the Bond
brothers went to the courthouse
and found Med'in in the act OF eat
ing lunch, there being no one in his
office at the time but himself. The
Bonds said they had come for settle
ment, when Medlin said he was un-
armed, and st the same time grabbed
the arm of Eli Bond, when almost in
stsutIy he was shot by both brothers,
each of whom continued shooting till
they had fired eight shO's into his body.
n is supposed the first shot killed him,
and that the succeeding shots were fired
after he fell. Immediately after the
shooting the Bonds lell for their homes,
, arrested by the sheriff. The affair has
caused great excitement in the usually
quiet city of Brownsville. Medlin was
a Republican, and there was much dis
satisfaction at the manner in which he
conducted himself at the last election,
but his general conduct has been of a
quiet and inoffensive nature. The
Bond brothers are young attorneys of
Brownsville, and are prominent men OF
the place. They are cousins to the late
speaker Of the house OF representatives.
jackson Wing and TriOune.l
Tuesday evening last our community
was startled by the report that Mr.. Rob-
| ert Medlin, Of Brownsville, had been
killed by Henry Bond Esq and young
er brother named Eli. From all we can
gather from different sources the facts
| Of the case are about as follows
| USometime in the forenoon of Tuesday
Mr.. Bond, who is lawyer by profession,
was in the county clerks office in
Brownsville, transacting some business
with MIR, Medlin, who was the clerk OF
the court. There was disagreement as
| To the amount of fee charged by the
latter, the amount Of the fee being nine
teen dollars. An angry controversy
followed, and it is said that Medlin or
dered Bond out Of the office, and one
report says he emphasized the order by
presenting pistol. At any rate, Bond
left the Office, to which he returned
about one o'clock in the afternoon, being
accompanied by his brother Eli. On en-
tering the office they called upon Medlin
/ TO defend himself, and be exclaimed, 81
am unarmed, and cannot fight you
both.u He was then offered pistol by
one Of the Bonds. This, according to
our report, he declined to accept. An
other version represents him as taking
d the weapon. If he did take it, be failed
TO use il for some reason, Henry Bono
and MedIin then grappled each other
Bond having first fired al him without
effect. During the struggle Eli Bono
4 fred at Medlin several times, and IN
few moments the latter lay dead on tht
floor Of his Office, shot through the head
the neck, the heart and other vita
noiuts. He received in all seven shots
and died instantly. The Bonds wer
nIaced under arrest, and the affair vii
he investigated st an early day. MI
MedIin was about thirty eight years O
! a0e and was well-knOwn in this cit.
, aud county. He married daughter G
George Perkins, Esq, Of this city, who
! with one child, survives him. Henr,
/ Bond is about tweniy-siX years OF age
! is q son of Mr.. Thomas Bond, OF Browns
! Vile, and is lawyer by profession. h
, Bond, his brother, Is about eightee
wears Of age. We do not pretend I
state tbs facts in this case with peTfeC
accuracy, but We suppose they csnno
vary materially from the version give
{ above.