Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-28
FRENCHMAN'S BAYOU TRAGEDY.
Akamlly Fonda Son Avenges His
1ather's Murder and HIS Mothers

A Family Fonda Son AvenRes Hfs
1ather's Murder and His Mothers
Seduction.
Some nine years ago there resided on
Frenchman's bayou. Mississippi county,
Ark, forty miles above here on the
river, two Germans, Reese and Specht.
Reese was a turbulent man and a great
annoyance to his neighbors, while on
the contrary Specht was quiet and in
offensive. Not long after Reese induced
Specht's wife to elope with him and de-
sert her husband and family. The
precious pair went to Missouri and re-
manned away for many years. In the
meantime Specht obtained a divorce
and married again, but a year or so ago
Reese and the woman returned to
F~renchman's bayou and at once com.
menced a series Of a~nnoyances toward
Specht and wife, whom they threatened
to kill on many occasions. In February
last Reese and Speeht got iLto some
difficulty concerning the title to a parcel
Of land. Reese threatened to kill Specht
several times during the controversy.
Reese and wife sent for Specht's dsugh
ter to come over and see them (she being
also the daughter Of Mrs. Reese, the alb
Quoted wife of Specht). They informed
the girl that they intended to kill her
father, and told her to tell her father to
meet them at the house Of a neighbor
and have a settlement. The girl on re.
turning did not tell her father about the
threats, not believing that they were
made in earnest, but she informed her
father that Reese wished to meet him
and have a settlement about the land
trouble.
THE MURDER.
Mr.. Specht went TO the neighbours
house, and in a short time ReeFe aud
wife, both armed With shotguns, came
riding up and dismounted. Each took a
station at a door, and Reese called upon
Specht to come out or he would kill him
near the fireplace where he had taken
refuge. Specht came out on the porch,
and was at once shot and killed by Reese,
the m standing at the other door
with shotgun cooked and presented.
Reese at once took to flight, aud hid
himself away in the woods, slipping in
at night occasionally to his place on
Frenchman's bayou. Governor Garland
offered a reward of 5000 for the arrest Of
the murderer. Reese came to Memphis,
and was secreted in this city for some
time, but he succeeded in eludine the
vigilance of the police and escaped ar
rest. On the 9th inst. he left the vicinity
of F%reuchman's bayou and took q trip
west into Jackson equity, where d squad
of young men, hearing of his appearance
in the county and desiring to secure the
reward, went out on a hunt for him, and
a few days since they succeeded in driv.
ing him back through the swamps to the
vicinity Of Frenchman's bayou.
THE AvENGER COMES.
When old nan Specht was murdered
his son, a young man, was residing in
Texas, but he was sem Cor by his sister
He came from Texas aud remained at
his fathers place, on Frenohman's
Bayou. He appeared to be a mar Of
quiet disposition, and he never made
any threats, or was never heard to refer
in any resentful manner to the murderer
of his father. He was regarded by all
in the most friendly manner, and re-
ceived the sympathy Of the entire com
munity.
DEATH OF THE MURDERER.
On Wednesday last, the 18th inst, the
young men from jackson county ap
peared in the neighborhood of French
mans Bayou, in search of Reese, and
young Specht, on invitation, Joined the
rsrty. On Wednesday night they sur
rounded Reese's house, and at daylight
yesterday morning they hailed the house
and demanded of Reese to come out and
surrender himself. Reese, seeing that
he was surrounded, made an effort to
escape and slipped around outside the
house to the chimney, where a lot of
saddles and harness were hanging up.
He reached up among the saddles as if
searching for arms, but he was again
called upon to surrender. He answered,
well, / will" but he continued graspiug
up among the saddles. Young Specbt,
who was On the opposite side of the
house, hearing the voice of Reese be.
came infuriated and ran around immedia.
tely. Seeing Reese, he leveled q musket,
loaded with slugs, and fred. The shot
struck Reese in the side, and he fell to
the ground a corpse.
Mrs. Reese, who is a desperate woman,
has been going around heavily armed, to
the great terror Of the neighborhood,
and threatening to kill several parties,
and since the killing of Reese fears are
entertained that she will kill som ebody,
her own son probably.
81 MEXICAN TWIST