The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1878-02-22

I SURROUNDING THE FUGITIVES.
| 1t was discovered in Murphy, also
that the fJlgitives had pushed through
the turnpike gate just outside of tn,
town without paying toll, and afte.
an insulting alteration with the gate
keeper. This official reported tina
they were very heavily armed, having
several guns and pistols, and that they
were very insolent and defiant. h
was just organizing party to go in
pursuit of them and collect the pike
age, when Findley, fearing that this
might interfere with his plans, took
him te one side and confided his story
to him. He asked the gatekeeper tc
suspend operations for awhile, prom
ising to bring the men. back to him.
He then disguised himself thoroughly
and started out on horseback to locate
the camp and identify the people. II
was dark and rainy night, and he
had considerable difficulty in progress
ing at all. He had only gone about
two miles when he saw a camp fire
cleaning. Riding boldly up to it, he
was halted by man who seemed to
be doing patrol duty. Findley made
some commonplace remark and rode
up to the fire. After inquiring as to
the road, he departed. He remained
at the fire long enough to recognize
the whole party, and to even get a
glimpse of Kate Southern as she peer
ed out from the wagon cover. After
riding short distance he made a de-
tour and returned to Murphy. He
there secured a few additional men,
headed by Detective Howell, who
lived in Murphy and was perfectly ia
miliar with the country, and at four
o'clock in the morning started out to
make the capture. 1t had been de-
termined to completely surround the
from all sides and demand surrender.
This plan was carried into effect, but
it was found that the Southerns, for
some reason or other, had put out
their fire little. after midnight and
moved ahead. The party then set
out in fresh pursuit and soon came up
with the wagon. They rode by the
without making any at
tempt at ain arrest, but secured a good
in the road some few hum
dred yards ahead: They divided and
hid themselves on each side of the
road. When the wagon appeared
they closed in upon it rapidly and
called out, "Surrenderw
y SKILFUL CAPTURE.
There was hurried, quick move
ment inside the curtain, a clicking of
pistol cocks, and the pursuers were
about to pour a brOadside into
the wagon when Bob Southern re-
piled, "Well, what do you want?n
At this he appeared and began to dis
cuss the situation. He evidently be-
lieved that he was stopped simply be-
cause of his refusal to pay pikeage and
that by settling he would be allowed to
go ahead. Humoring this suppOsi-
ton, the Findley party succeeded in
getting possession of the arms inside
were outside arranging to settle their
scores. Kate Southern was inside
the wagon, but made no resistance,
being apparently paralyzed with fear
and astonishment. She did not even
give the alarm. 1t was Just before
day, and she was probably not aware
of the true state of things, When the
arms were secured and the men were
Findley told them that
he had come to carry them back to
Georgia, and thereupOn made himself
known to them. They were astoun-
led and became very violent, but it
was too late to resist the arrest. The
wagon was turned and the whole par
ty moved back toward Murphy. The
excitement of Kate Southern when
the truth became fully known to her
was fearful. She mOaned and NUT
tered to herself, and il was thought
fQ| :, white that she had lost her SEN
SeS.
ATTEMPTED RESCUE.
When they Were near Murphy the
whole party halted for breakfast. Be
fore going to the house old man South
ern and his two boys, against whom
Findley had no warrants, We're dis
woods, but returned before the cap
tors and prisoners had finished break
fast. They made a dash at the prison
ers, evidently intending to release
hem, drawing two pistols that tbey
had kept concealed, the youngest
Southern charging with nothing but a
club in his hands. Findley was
for them, however, and
Just as they reached the prisoners they
were Overpowered and disarmed with
Qut firing shot, The old man was
struck in the mouth with pistol and
badly wounded. Having been search
ed and thoroughly warned, they were
again discharged and ordered to clear
out. If the SOutherns had suspected
when they were first halted upon the
road that it was the purpose of arrest
ing them and carrying Kate and her
husband back to Georgia they would
have fought to the very death, and q
most bloody rencOntre would have en-
sued. They We're provided with a per-
feet arsenal and had determined when
they left Georgia never to be taken
alive. They were very devotedly at
tached to each other, and it required
actual force to drive the old man and
boys away from the prisoners. 1t is
said they discontinued their western
journey after the departure of Findley
with Bob and Kate and Immediately
turned their faces toward Georgia.
A PROSPECT OF HANGING.
When the arrest was made South
ern and his wife had baby just four
old, their only child. When
she had it in her arms. The
husband, wife and child are i'll jail to-
gether at Pickens. Bob swears that
when one dies they will all die, and
his wife assents, Their devotion to
each other il intense. The wife is a
woman of decided beauty. She
weighs about one hundred and thirty
five pounds, is young and fresh look
ing, with heavy auburn hair, and a
voluptuous physique. She is said to
have Indian blood in her veins. The
Judge has refused to hail the prisoners,
and the general impression is that she
at least viii hang, The Cohorts, who
have plenty of money, will prosecute
vigorously. The trial Is set forth for
May,
The only white woman ever hung
in Georgia was Nancy Eberhart, who
was executed with her paramour,