The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-11-22
Murderer, Horse-Thief, Soldier and
Priest.


The Woodford County (Ky.) Sun
saws: Sam G. Field last week received
a letter from Henry M. johnson, a
graduate of the Kentucky Institute, now
practicing law in Denver, in which he
gives the interesting history of man
recently hung for murder in that State,
who claimed to have been born in
Woodford County. The letter IS as
follows:
DENVER, October s, 1S72.-DEAR
FIELD: In looking over the photo
graphs of my old class, | came across
yours with your name and address writ
ten on the back. 1t recalled to my
memory the days of 1865, when we were
SO happy at the Military Institute. L
have been practicing law in this place
for eight years, and am happy to say,
doing moderately well. Last week
defended a man for murder, who claim
ed to have been born in your county.
His was the unhappy ending of career
full of strange and wonderful adven-
lures. His name was Henry Miller
Smith. He said that he was born IN
Woodford County, near the Kentucky
River, in 1910. In 1925, when only 10
years of age, he murdered peddler and
hid his body in a hollow tree, near
where he killed him. He obtained from
the pockets of this man $50 in gold and
silver. Fearing detection he deter
mined to leave home, and, stealing the
only horse his father possessed, he lett
forever the country of his birth. He
made his way to Texas and joined the
/ l., A farrr h1
| ing he was sent with party OF thirty
five soldiers in pursuit of band OF In
dams that had lately made raid on the
settlement; they came up with them on
the evening of the third day, and every
soldier was killed and scalped except
Smith. He, in consequence of his youth,
was spared and carried off by the Indians
into Mexico. Here he became acquaint-
ed with French priest, and the priest
conceiving great liking for him, pur-
chased him from the Indians, educated
him, and persuaded him TO adopt the
Catholic religion and become priest.
This calling he followed for ten years;
would, no doubt, as he said, have there
ended his days, but, meeting with
beautiful nun, he fell in love and induced
| HeE u ny lHO OOuHSiJ
him. They went to France ana
lived together three years, when he,
becoming tired of her, abandoned her
and returned to America. He went to
the frontier, and has ever since been en-
ployed as a scout by the Government.
| Three months ago, while in gambling
hell in this place, he shot the dealer,
without cause or prOvocation. lie was
tried for it, convicted, and last Friday
was hung. He was magnificent look
ing man, about six feet high, weighing,
perhaps, 200 pounds. He left in my
hands 5000 in gold, which he wished
me to retain for one year; at the end OF
that time, if no relatives come forward,
he wished me to give it to the st. Ceel-
liza school.
HENRY NJ. JOHNSON.
About the year 1925 a peddler was
murdered near Shryock's Ferry, and his
body was concealed in a hollow tree.
The murder has ever since remained q
mystery. The confession of Smith re-
veals the secret at last. 90 Murder will
out" Evil deeds of men oftentimes
come to light through their own deeds
or words.
The story of Smiths life is like ro-
nance. 1t is stranger than fiction. The
blood of that peddler followed him
everywhere. The Indians spared his
scalp that the law might break his neck
And thus another profound mystery is
cleared up.