Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-29
THE AUSTIN MURDER.
Further DstafIs OF the Assassina-
IiOn Of Captain James "A. Harvey
by sheriff Manning.

Dy BnoFfu manning.
From the Helena ark World, Of the
18th, we clip the following interesting
particulars Of the murder of Mr.. Harvey
by Sheriff Manning, of Tunica county,
Mississippi. The article says;
0a arriving at Austin we found con-
siderable excitement among the people,
the citizens grouped around the Court
bOuse aud jail discussing the unfortunate
affair. Captain Perkins, who has charge
Of the jail, kindly permitted US a private
intervie9 with the prisoners locked up
for being implicated in the dark deed.
So far four have bsen arrested and incsr-
cerated. as follows: DR.. P. Z Chapman,
John w. Regan, Henry Christensen, a
German, and Mrs. Manning, wife Of the
sheriff. We found the men huddled to-
gether with FIVE others in a cage eight
by ten feet. As each corroborates the
others story we selected DR.. Chapman,
who gave US the following: On the night
Of November 9th Captain Manning
came to me and said: doctor, | want
your assistance TO take e ran coming
down from Memphis tonight" l re-
piled: Certainly, Captain, you can de-
pend on me, and we Immediately started
Tor 0. K. landing. Before leaving the
town we met Christensen aud Regsu;
both were told TO com along, and all
four Of us started for the landing. Capt.
Manning was the only man having o gun,
a double barreled shotgun. On our way
down be said: am going to kill or
capture the d-n scoundrel." On APP
preaching the lasding the George W.
Cheek was just rounding in. Captain
Manning stopped US and stationed Regan
and myself some distance from the road
in the woods, and told Us to remain there
until called. He told Christensen to board
the Cheek and inquire for Harvey and
walk of the boat with him. Captain
Manning, during this time, remained on
shore near the road, leaning against a
large tree. Christensen appeared in q
few minutes, accompanied by a stranger
with a valise. When the two men
reached the spot where Manning stood,
Christensen stepped back and said,
That's him" Manning said to him:
Is your name jim Harvey2' ut is"
said the stranger. Then you must die"
said Manning. What for2' was the
reply. Be was answered by a shot from
the sheriff gun, and, without a word,
threw up his hands and fell dead. Man.
ming went to his PROSTATE form and shot
him again. Then he called US up and
made us swear secresy or die. We feared
him and each swors never TO divulge the
terrible deed. He then told me to bring
the %valise, be, in the meantime, having
searched Harvey's pockets, taking sew.
eral letters from them. The valise was
burned.
We went up town ard parted for our
own homes. Next night Manning came
to me and said, Doc, that letter (pur.
ported to have been written by Mira.
Manning to Harvey is in the court.
house; | want it; come with me-" | fol.
loved him and found Christensen and
Regan already at the courthouse watch.
ing one corner. We put Christensen in
the window to get the letter, but he failed
to find it. Manning said, Come out;
will have that cursed letter or burn the
house down" He went in himself, got
the letter, and we separated, he sgair
swearing US to never tell anything. The
story was told 10 q straightforward man
ner, and we shall let the public draw
their own conclusions. Chapman anC
his comrades turned States evidence
and are awaiting the trial.
The correspondent also interviewed
Mrs. Manning in the Jail, and in re
spouse to his question as to whether OF
not she was acquainted with Harvey, sht
replied hat she declined to answer.
When asked if she had written the not,
to Harvey, Of which she was accused
she replied, Indeed, l did not"