Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1880-11-30


the discoverer, though one Of the most
reputable men Of the county, was sus-
peCted. He felt the touch of Suspicion
himself and became W Id under It. The
murder had been done with the pole or
back of an axe. Heck was found lying
naturally as though asleep on the left
side of the bed. lie had been struck
one blow. No more. His forehead, the
inner end Of The left eye brow and some
inch down the side Of the nose had been
crushed in, The blow had been direct
ed from his left side--rathcr. Browns
skull hau been crushed by q single blow
above his left ear. A single b,oW-no
more-had killed him, too, but he was
found with feet drawn up and lying
across the foot Of the bed, as though
Heck had been killed FIRST, and the blow
had caused Brown to spring up in a sit
ting posture when the next one killed
him. The reader should note that the
bed was spread with the head to the
front Of the house 50 that it pointed with
the foot of it toward the space in front of
the fire. Heck was at the left side and &,
If the murderer stood at the head of the
bed next the front window and was
left banded, he would naturally have
struck Heck first. Brown being next
struck, he may have fallen across the
foot of the bed from a sitting posture,
or he may have been dragged there, in
getting his money. His oyercoat and
pants were evidently taken away, as no
traces of the metal buttons were discov-
cred in the ashes. His pocket knife was
also taken. The murderer is supposed
to have entered by the door (Y), left
open, into room (C) used by the Browns
as cook room, thence through the din
ing room (B) to room (A).
| stop here to note that | called Blev-
ms attention to the fact that it might be
interesting to ascertain if Harris is left
handed. 1t is not propable that the
murderer struck these blows fiom = po-
sition in front Of the men, as to do so
he would have had to encounter tie po-
sition Of the bed and the risk Of the use
of their hands by the sleepers, He
would have been more likely to go to the
end Of the bed where he had the nearest
and clearest access to the object of his
blows, and that would be the head Of it.
For be it remembered the bed was on
the floor, with the foot fronting the fire.
lie would not likely have passed between
them and the fire light, as he would have
inevitably done to strike them Il right
handed blow from the front. Whether
one or two were engaged in it., the blows
were both struck, in all probability by
one person. Browns skull was broken
by the blow into four pieces, parting
everywhere at the sutures. There had
| Ina, t,,rA ~
them was missing. Brown was known
to have had lotof currency in his ponk-
ct book and bag containing SIS or $40
in silver. All this was missing, Put
ting together few stray facts Bleyins'
mind reverted to Joe Harris. His coat
had been left there for several days--it
was there yet. Harris was not in that
curious crowd. Friday, Saturday, sun
day, and Monday lie was about, and
willie Brown and Heck were alive he
was never far away. Now they were
dead and he no where about, He had
frequently seen Browns money aud had
none Of his own. lie knew Marble Hall
and Brown, perfectly. lie knew those
doors, those axes. Alta strange and
painful juncnre he and that axe could
could not be found. Two wagoucrs from
towards Hancock came by and were con-
fldent they met Joe Harris before day and
that he avoided them. Joe Harris broth
err, aged 81 years had been present all
day aud in the late afternoon started to-
ward Hancock Blevns followed, ar
rested him and, while not sUspecting
him for any purpose worse than u desire
to warn Joe, he returned with him to
the hall and put him under guard
Then began
THE PURSUIT.
With n friend Sheriff Blevins started
on the dark, cold ride across Cllnch
Mountain. The flying nend had left an
occasional track Of his exodus. But he
was not in the Clinch Valley, The de-
tcrmined officer pressed on across Cop
per Ridge, and finding his man had left
the road he followed his dim trail by nm
obscure path until he could see the
woods on fire n mile Of on the mountain
side. Drawing nearer he could see In
the glare Of the burning timber the
forms Of men ana women as they fought
the fire. He could hear their voices
Soon the forms were invisible, and then
he could hear them descending the
mountain. Dismounting lie took Il scout
on foot and saw the women and Onr
man leave the crowd and go to a house
Stepping in at the door the man 'es
sitting before the fire,
CAUGHT.
Bleyins inquired It his name was jot
Harris but Joe looked Upand cas duml,
Pointing 4 heavy Navy Revolver at him
he babe him, under penalty ct siX holes
I'm his carcass cross his hands behind lin
and there hold them without move
ment. In Il few minutes his companion
on that cold ride came up with the hoH.
es and while the obediCnt Harris crossed
his hands, under the mn2llo Of Oh,
aforesaid navy they were tied with one
Of these sccuro knots Of which first.
class bandanna handkerchief 10 Busrcp
tible. Then one Of the bed cords, ON Tho
bed where Joe had expected 10 reat for III,
nirht, was paid for, removed and there
with he was very securely bound, On
his person was q goudly lot Of powder
lod md caps, beside Charley Browne
pocket book with $3.50 Of Charlie
b Brown money in Il.
b. "Whero did you get this money p
II. al laborcl for IT,"
y. putting the money IN his own
pocket.) "Now mouutinto my saddle
Joe went into the saddle and Bob Bley.
ms went onto The horse behind him, and
then, though 10 was after midnight, the
three were at Marble Hall by dawn, --
The Indignant people were there. Price
became Il man Of uuspcakable joy, He
was indicated. On the way Harris nd.
miltcd that the money and book were moi
HE.