The New York herald., 1878-10-12

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said to have been enacted there on the night Of the
Leaving this ghastiy place when twilight was just
giving u a more spectral appearance hurried on 10
Wicos Lanarams and spent the night in The same
room, and Tor aught know IN the same bed, thai
occupied by .Jess" Rogers.
ROGERS sIDE OF TIE STORY.
Bright and early The next morning was ready to
leave the WIDOWS and l had desire 10 complete
thoroughly tho object Of mission by interviewing
the alleged principal IN the affair soon found my
self driving at rapid pace down the mountain road
which leads 10 Powell Valley, the present home Of
Jess Rogers and the Cay woods. Arriving at James
Caywood's residence about noon, anxious TO get
dinner, was politely invited in by the .Honorabie
James Caywood. engaged in conversation with Mr..
Caywood about hall nour, when dinner
the aass room. ~nsrs We oSuo @ Well sa table
presided over by a venerable looking female whose
name Savs nos ss yss a. e9ss my appss
business when, 10 my slight confusion and total loss
OF all appetite, In walked the veritable Jesse ..
Rogers and took the seat at the table next 10 the
writer. tried TO control my feelings, but confess
confused for when, however, there was no occa-
sion, Tor ex-ringmaster OF borne county maize
himself as agreeable aud entertaining as the most
fastidioas stranger could wisn. Alter dinner
gagged in general conversation ior a while,
when 10 my aslonshment Rogers somewhat
scandal and i.s results by asking II had heard OF
IL Iovaslvoiy replied 10 the effect that had heard
some lew rumors out they oeing only rumols nae
quite accurately The history Of the shameful affair
in which he ana his wife were principal actors avoid
Ing however, an uent osnis or his wiic's
quit by prefaclng his every statement with the
words 'tney say"' could not resist the temptation
OF asking him II he was guilty OF what "thcy said"
he was. He replied, ..rhey may say what lhsy damn
please, but haven't said tnat ! am, and am not
going TO please them by saying am not. only say
let The IN arrest me- try me Tor IT and prove u; that's
all they have TO do
.Mr Rogers are you not afraid OF arrest ?" asked.
he said, mo, there Is not civil o1cer IN The county
OF Claiborne State OF Tennessee, wno dares 10 DO IT,
Those tools up IN Kentucky have been trying 10 raise
\ nara fhlg m ~ ara
beginning to learn what KIND oil dirt Jess Rogers Is
made or and they are keeping their mouths shut up
now. Afraid OF alresf No! have plenty Of money,
and law DON'T bother money in tins country. Ii
afraid Of arrest would have been gone IRON here
going sner. except TO Tazewsi and Iii go there just
wnen leel like IT," %
BY this time was feeling quite easy with the
ana proceeded 10 question MIN al wl AID the follow
ing dialogue ensued:-
"Ar. Rogers, you spoke OF an excitement being
5sssd D.s, Iy me A'n'aeS-ns what KIND Of an excite
JESSE RoGERs-well, you see, the damned tools all
through Knox. Joshbeil ana Whitley countless over
there IN kentucky pretend 10 be powerfully indignant
over this whole mater, and hear seven or eight Pc
tt,ons nave gone up to the Governor begging nim 10
offer reward Tor Iho OF somebouy-tney
not particular whom. Now II these heatnens
nns 'hsy are % sous to run me out o. ,Sss ns
will lind themselves wonderfully mistaken. You
see. stranger, there is a cesp prejudice against
me and has been Ior long time. have influence l
hold Claiborne county in my vest pocket. nave more
money any man IN The county and have tho
talns, and ior these reasons and others that nigh:
name heap OF damned villains III this county and
Kentucky want 10 drive me out OF the country but
am not going. They may MAKO their nIggsrs outrage
my vile, and make me XIII some more OF them, but
still am going to stay right whore am.
This uttered win considerable warmth and
with many violent gestures and 1t was The ony time
tnal Rogers came anywhere near admitting that ne
did XIII Jackson without The use OF mis- usual express
sion, "they say"
CoaRYsPoxDESr-Mr. Rogers, do you expect 10 con-
RoGERs-Certainly / do. l may not perform the
duties next court, but am not going to reslgn and
after tho present excitement Iuils IL wiil 40
sho,t while, am going back to Tazowell and live
there again.
CoRREspoxDEsr--I have heard tha. Judge Rose will
declare your otice vacant at next court appoint
another man TO MI the vacancy.
RoGEKs-Did you near Judge Rose say that9
CoRKEsPoxDENT-No.
RoGERs-Weii, tneD, don't you believe word Of It.
Know more about Judge Rose tnan any one else
but that keeping 10 ourselves Tor th2 present.
MRS. ROGERS APPEARS.
Here was about TO ask amos hor question, when,
gancing up toward the further end OF tne porch,
beucd pretty, we'll dressed woman, who al once at
MaeIed my attention. one was none es oaner ,nan
Rogers walked up TO whore we were sitting and care
lcssy tell Into = rocking chair which Was vacant l
introduced to her, as East Tennessee etI-
Quette doesn't seem 10 require any tntroductionsi
hence did not engage IN any conversation with nor.
Rogers smng asked her some Questions IN regard 10
pet mocking bird she mas, anu whiie they were con-
versng pleasantly and from appearances. Affection
aIeiy, was looking on and having the picture OF
MrS Rogers indeliply photographed on my mind.
she is q medium sized woman, weighing ABOUT one
hundred and twenty pounds, black hair and good
deal OF IT, coal black eyes, high but not very promi
nent lorehead nose slightly retrousse, ruby lips, fair
complexion, rosy cheeks, beautiful mouth, small
nicely rounded hands, ornamented with two or more
rings, one diamond, plump arms and wrists adorned
with wide gold bracelets. In dress Mrs. Rogers was
quite gorgeous, even here At home. The dress sho
ths OCCASION was made OF tue best
brand Of alpaca, trimmed, pulled and friiled
with six; long, pure gold cham hung
gracefully around ner neck and passed down over
her bosom watch which was confined IN her belt,
near where brown SIX sash attached to her left
side. Wbeshsr she be guilty or not her claim 20 the
distinction OF being the prettiest woman IN tho Cum
berlsud Mountains or Powell Valley" is not TO be ds-
puted. Alter half hour spent In rambling conversa.
top, neither Rogers nor daring to touch upon tho
subject The scandal thc presence Of the prime
mover thsrein inquired tue nearest route to iaze
well, and bidding Rogers goodby and tipping my nat
politely beautiful vile LETT the place anu
slowly down the road toward Tazeweil, arriving hore
y little alter nightfal.
Fosentative had to dodga FIRST, Rogers irtenos
scouts, who are watching closely every stranger
ascertain whether ne be detective or newspaper
man, and II either he Is In danger OF being "lost IN
tne nountains" Then there Is another class, whicn
will term the good people OF the community, which
desires Keep the scandal and the tragedy quiet
possible, iearing It's publicity will be disadvan
endesvorng 10 establish here. TINS latter class par
ucuiarIy breads correspondents, and they suspect
every stranger who comes into town and are not
happy until they lind out he 10 not one OF those
dreaded scriDbIers committee OF these over
CAUTIOUS saiots waited me NJ my room At the hotel
the other night Tor the purpose oi ascsrtaining my
business here.