Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1880-04-29
MATRICIDE.
ANOTHER TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
A SON KILLS HIS MOTHER WHILE
UNDER the INFLUENCE OF
II LIQUOR.

knoxville Chronicle, OF the list INST.
which will cause the blood to freeze
in ones veins, so fearful is the oc-
currence:
another terrible tragedy was en-
acted in our city about five o'clock
yesterday evening, resulting in the
instant death of Mrs, Rebecca z. Eckle
ffori blow inflicted by her son Yell
Eckle, while in crazy fit OF ihtoxA
ication.
The particulars Of the lamentable
occurrence, as we gathered them are
about as follows: Yell had gone
home very drunk. His residence is
adjoining that of his father He was
raising considerable disturbance, and
his mother went down to interfere,
and quiet him if possible, and in her
remonstrance, it seems, slapped him II
time or two. The only other persons
there at the time were Yells wife and
two small children. His wife at the
time of the elimination of the Tragedy
had stepped out of the gate to call
sohle one from her mothers across
the street to take tie baby, fearing
some injury to it.
As far as is known there was only
one witness to the striking Of the
fatal blow,and that was Mary Thomp-
son, a colored girl who cooks for
Sheriff Reeder. She was standing on
the Sheritf's porch, some 40 or so
yards distant, perhaps, and says she
was watching the occurrence. She
says while Yell and his mother were
talking to each other, he inflicted a
blow on the back Of her head with
what afterwards proved to be slat
from the child's crib. Mrs Ecklc
was standing on the porch steps, and
fell backwards Immediately on re-
cciving the blow, her head striking
the porch floor. Miss Nancy Rceder,
who was also on the Sheritf's porch,
had her attention attracted, as did
some others. She ran at once and
was first to arrive on the scene. Sh:
tried to arouse Mrs. Eclilc, but found
her lifeess, death having been in.
Simultaneous. Yell was sitting on {
step near By, apparently crying
Miss Rccder remarked to him that he
had killed his mother, but does moi
remember what reply he made. Mary
Thompson says Yell replied, Yes
and I'll kill every one of YOU OF
something to that effect. Messrs
jim Kidd aud Sam Walker were
among the first to arrive, as was alsc
policeman Nose Smith, who tool
Yell in custody and lie was inimedi
ately taken to Jail.
The news spread rapidly, and th
whole vicinity was terribly shocked
over it's recital. Crowds Of peopl
gathered around. The lifeless re
mains were removed to her residence
and Coroner A. s. Hudiburg being
notified, summoned the followin!
jury of inquest; A. 7. Cottrell. l.. c
Shepard, NJ. A. Walker A. H. Brown
W. +. Hairies, Alex. Rceder and w
Galbraith. The evidence Of the wit
nesses above mentioned was taken, Il
,, was also that of the physicians whit
made an examination. 1t was foun'
that the blow was inflicted just at tn
iolnt of the neck and head, produce,
appoplcxy, and that resulted Iii In
slant death. There was very littl
outward appearance of a wound, bl,
it was bruised badly under the skin
The jury returned verdict as foI
!, follows:
! I'VE, the undersigned, sunrtone
as Jurors to hold an linguistic, n on th
body of Rebecca G. Eckle, after bein
, sworn by A. S. Huliburg, coroner fc
Knox county, and after examining
witnesses, do find that Rebecca {
E Eckle came to her death from th
! effects of o blow on the back of th
! head, inflicted by Y. w. Eckle wit
|, a crib slat.'
| The unfortunate man was visited {
, the window of his cell by number c
persons. He was still under the ii
i huence of liquor, and seemed to b
insensible or Indifferent to his situi
i ton. He talked and cried alterliatel
affirming that he hadn't done ahJ
r thing out of the way, etc, When r.
q minded of the fearful crime he ha
= committed, he said he couldn't reali,
it was so; said he loved his moth,
> better than anybody, and called f
1 her to be brought to him. He ais
a called for his father and his wife an
+ babies, Afterwards he called Sheri
! Reeder aside and pleaded with hi
i to take him to the house and guar
n him; he was afraid of mob. He is
: man perhaps 26 or q years OF ag
hhns a handsome and intelligent your
wife and two interesting childre
Que small babe. He is u timer |
trade, but seems to be confirm,
$ slave to drink. When sober, there
a not to be found q more kind-heait,
;" and industrious man, but when
W liouor he becomes wild and despera
d. it seems, and the the neighbors ha
" been frequently apprehcnsive OF Il
i consequences. an .
~ Mrs. Eckle was generous and kin
lp hearted, even to fault to her so
le and it was only last Saturday tn
she paid him out Of trouble, he pro,