Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-05-31
WHOLESALE DETECTION OF
CRIME AT MURFREESBORO.
Burglars, IncendiarieS and Mur-
dcrers i'm Custody.

Rurgl lars, LnCendiRrieS and mur-
derers i'm Custody.
For years Murfreesboro and its vicinity
have been cursed with the depredations and
villainies of a gang of burglars and incendi-
aries whose audacity and cunning defied
detection or arrest. During the winter and
spring inst past these crimes have increased
in frequency until they eliminated in the
murder of Major Pugh. Commencing no
further back than November s, 1873, no less
than five incendiary fires have occurred
there between that date and March 26, 1879.
Burglary, associated or not with incendia-
risnn, seems to have been the regular occu-
patton of a gang of negroes, with few white
men as managers of the concern. Major
Pugh's house was twice attacked by them,
once early in April and again on the 10th of
this month. At the first attack Mrs. Pugh
fired upon the scoundrels from q window;
at the second Major Pugh was killed by
shot from either John Hall or Burrel Smith.
The murder of Major Pugh seems to have
exasperated the people of the city beyond
endurance, and the whole energies of the
community were concentrated upon the
one purpose of detecting and Furnishing the
villains. In this purpose they were mate
rally aided by the address and perseverance
of coIored detective from \ Nashville named
Henry Brown. The first persons arrested
were Frank Bailey and Hick Slaughter
white, and John Hall, Burrel Smith, Henry
McNairy, Ed. Lytle and Rush Holbert, col
ored. To these have since been added Isaiah
Nichol, white, and Simon Lyle, Ed. Me
Adoo, Joe Butler and Henry McFerrin, col
ored in all three white and nine colored.
Between the two negroes John Hall and
Burrel Smith evidently lies the guilt of Ma
jor Pugh's murder, and very likely both
were accomplices in it; they are mutually
accusing one another.
Since the arrest two wagon-lOads of stolen
goods have been discovered by searches in
the houses of the arrested men. Jewelry be-
longing to Major Pugh was found in Halls
house, and Major Pugh's well known dia-
mond ring was found on the person of
negro woman. Halls wife, who attempted
to burn the jewelTy before the detectives
found it, has been arrested. All the prison.
efs are anxious to be received as States evil
dence. Hall and Smith have both been
inmates of the penitentiary before.
The arrests and the exhibition of the plum
der for Identification have produced intense
excitement in Murfreesboro, and on Sunday
and Monday there was evidently a purpose
anOat OF INncn law. Inc auJnOrlLleS ap-
piled to Gov. Marks to interpose in favor of
legal methods, and on the 26th the Governor
visited MurfreesbOro and addressed the ex-
cited crowd it is hoped successfully, though
excitement is by no means allayed yet.
Judge Quarles, of Nashville, will open a
special court for the trial of the prisoners as
soon as he can adjourn his court now sitting
in Nashville. Meantime the authorities at
keep their prisoners secure from both rescue
and lawleSs violence.
The prisoners, Hall and Smith, had their
preliminary trial on Tuesday the 9th, be-
fore Justices John F. DromgoOle and John
n. Clarke. They pleaded not guilty of muir
! der, but guilty Of arson and burglary. There
| Is a general Discrimination on the part of the
MurfreesbOFO lawyers to undertake their
defense; DIR. J. b. Murfee addressed the
crowd during the preliminary trial, in favor
of awaiting legal proceeding. Excitement
/ seems To be diminishing and the law will
/ probably be allowed 20 take its course.