Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-08-18

Fort DOLels1n). The foul murder has
created great excitement, and is the all
absorbing theme wherever IL is known.
The were various runners si bEt regard.
iEg the murder, but the following sre
the facts: Monday one week ago NJ
Clish
LEFT BIS HOME
early in the morning to go TO Dover.
B fore leaving home he told his wife he
would return by three O'Clock that alter
noon. He failed TO reach home that
night, but his wife hardly thought his
absence was due to any serious cause,
supposing he had gone to see friend
named Isham Folks, and would return
next day. By Wednesday M'Clish had
not returned, and his long absence
aroused ken apprehension as to the
csuse Of his detention, ana led
to inquiries as to mis- whereabouts.
Friday, fdends fastened TO Dover,
where it was asceTtsined that he had
transacted some business and left for his
home abous four O'Clock that Monday
afternoon. DIigeE5 and general inquiry
failed to ascertain anything concerning
his WherSab Ut5, although it was learn
ei st Walters store on the road, that be
had purchased a sieve and pound of
copperAs. AS no one had seen M'Chsh
eipce, il was now believed that ne had
been murdered, and SO he had, as the
sequel proves. OTiCg 10 the fearful
character Of the murder, its
ACCOUNTIN DETAIL
canFot fsil TO be OF public interest, and
the further account is set forth by an ex-
ira Of The Dover Record, dated August
l4th, iD he following manner: "SAtur-
day some thirty men started out to hunt
M'Clish, having come to the conclusion
that be bad been dealt with fouIly.
About twelve o'clock a posse came IN
and reported having found his body
ABOUT q mile from town on a road known
as the Aaron SpriD G road. This is rather
an isolated route, b at used by fO0tmen
as abort cut. M'Clish having wslked
70 town toJk advantage OF this route.
Coroner Bufford was at once notified,
who, with Sheriff Rolls and quite mum.
ber OF citizens, repaire TO where the
body was.
THE BODY
lay about fifteen feet from the road in
cluster OF saplings, lying on its back,
and I'D terrible state Of decomposition.
His shoes had been taken, together with
his hat ard also the sieve, but the paper
of copperas lay by the body, Coroner
BuffOTd summoned 8 jury OF inquest,
and upon an examination there was
fouad two fractures upon the hack OF the
skull, made with the pole Of an ak, and
the head was severed from the body,
seemingly done with Ire ak, there beiDg
no evidence of two blows. There was
also a cut on the back, made with the
ak, which was the only instrument used.
TIE deed was done on the road, and evil
dently
THE DEATE-BLOw
came from fhe party striking behind
M'Ciish. The ground showed plainly
where the body had been dragged into
the brush, during which his s6Irt had
been torn from the body. he had no
coat on at the time. The right arm was
broken, ard the shoulders bore evidence
of severe bTuising. The murderers did
their work completely, which for bru.
tally and strociousnCss is Slmos5 une-
qualed. The pockets Of his pants were
turned inside oct, and lying q short dis
tance from the feet Of the body was an
old felt hat, which was declared not TO
be M'CIish's, for parties present said he
had Oh a black felt hat with wide
brim. Tne hat was taken possess ion of,
it beipg
THE ONLY CLUE FOUND,
for the rain of the preceding night had
obliterRted any footsteps that may have
been made. The question was, who did
the deed. Many surmises were made,
and the whole matter discussed pro and
con by the crowd present, and spirit Of
determination was manifested to ferret
the sffair up, and tring the perpetrators
to justice. The excitement iD town was
great, and all were eager to aid the eff
GERS of the law. In the meantime Sheriff
Rolls, with q posse, we're searching the
negro quarters in the neighbOrhOOd OF
the murder, and in the cabin of
BILL MOCKBEE
he found the sieve. Upon Questioning
Bill's wife, she said that Jack Seefiy
brought it there Tuesdsy morning. Ste
had Just put g shirt IL tub 20 wash as
Rolls entered. She seemed eager to wash
ii, which attracted RolIs's attention, and
he stopped her and afked her whose shirt
it was; she said it was Biil's. Sheriff
Rolls took the shirt out Of the tub and
upon examination fouUd blood on it,
which the woman accounted for 10y
stating that Bill he'd brought q rabbit
home, that be hsd killed, and carried it
in the bres st of his shirt Mr.. RollssaW
a spool Of green silk thread on the table,
aud casually asked her what she bad
been sewing with that silk; she said that
the last time she uaed it was to
MEND JACK sEEFLY'S HAT.
Sheriff Rolls took possession Of the
shirt and thread, anu came to town.
Upon examining the old hat, it was
found to have had the crown mended,
and the thread used wac green silk; here
was proof valusble. The next thing was
to find the men. The sheIiff's attention
was called to the fact that MOckbee wac
helping bring some things up from the
river, and was then unloading a wagon
at Mr.. Polk Brandon's. MIR. Rolls ln-
mediately STATED for him, and, placing
bis hand on Bills shoulder, told him he
wanted him. Bill, with all the sang .fTOid
ims gin86le, 4: owed along with the sher-
if, seemingly unconcerned.
ROPE WAS PROCURED
and he was tied securely, Upon being
charged with the murder by some Of the
crowd he protested that he was innocent
Of the deed, but the shoes he had on
were identified as beloT giDg to NJ 'Clisb.
great excitement run TO fever hest.
Many openly pronounced him gully Cf
the deed, and for fear Of summary pun
ishmeut the prisoner was taken and
placed uader a strong guard. Sheriff
Rolls, with posse, started in sesTch of
aCk Seefy, VINO they found at home,
short distance from town. He made no
resistance nor attempted TO get away,
but quietly surrendered himself. Upon
being told what he was arrested for, he
said he
WOULD TELL ALL ABOUT IT.
Jack said thst he and Bill MOckbee
got Wash Mockbee's sx Monday after.
noon to go aud cut bee tree. on the
ridge above Aaron spring, and they saw
M'Clish coming slong the road He had
the AK at the time, and Bill told him to
give II 10 him, which he did, and when
M'Clish got opposite where they were,
Bill stepped up behind him and knocked
him in the head. M'Clisb, falling 10
his knees, exclsimed, GOOD Lord"
The blow was followed up by another
one, killing him. He then cut his head
off and dragged the body where it was
found. Jack ssId they searched his p0ck-
cts, but only found dime. They then
fooky his Ehrea off Rud tnpk tho EEf and