Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-08-11
FIVE PISTOLS DRAWN,
And a Baptist Preacher Sup
posed 10 be Fatally ShOt---A
Singular, if True, EIec-
tiOn Story.
Special to the courier.Jour

opeclaltO tne LOurler-J Ournal.l
FRANKFORT, August 9.-From Col.
Dutton Jones, member of the legis-
lature from Knox county, now in the
city on business connected with the
state, the following particulars are
learned of an atrocious murder which
occurred at Flat Lick, in that county.
on last election day:
In race for constable it was assert
ed that Mr.. Elias Patterson had made
the remark that he could buy all the
Turkey creek voters for a quart of
whisky. Three brothers by the name
of Messers, living near the creek.
heard Of the remark and Indignantly
went to Patterson to make him re-
tract, Patterson denied that he had
said it, when one OF the Messers, in a
very threatening manner, told him not
to attempt a denial, but ifhe had said
it to stick to like a man. The Mes
sers thereUpon began to press around
Patterson and forced him against a
fence, when a Mr.. Hinkle and a Mr..
Bowland came up to join the brothers
in the abuse of their victim. "Imme-
diately after, without any provoca-
tion," says Mr.. Jones, the five drew
their pistols and began to fire upon
the intrenched Patterson, though.
strange to relate, without dispatching
him instantly"
Patterson begged them for Gods
sake not to murder him; that he had
committed no offense against them;
but still they poured their volleys OF
abuse and shot upon him.
A Mr. Gill Bingham hereupon ran
to the rescue Of Patterson, but the
merciless Messers and their compan-
ions turned upon the rescuer and shot
him dead in an instant. Again the
fiends fired upon Patterson, one shot
striking him on the spinal column,
producing paralysis of the lower
limbs, and causing him to drop as if
dead. They thereupon took to their
heels. But one of the brothers and
Hinkle were captured, the other three
managing to escape. "The excite
ment is intense" says Mr.. Jones,
and the sheriff with posse of fifty
men are out securing the country.
Though the murderers deserve imme-
date punishment at the hands of an
outraged community, yet when all are
caught, my people, am convinced,
feel that the law is strong enough to
protect them from a repetition of such
horrors, and will let that avenge
them"
No shots were fired but by the MUIR
dererS, and they fred about twenty in
all, from one of which one of the
Messers received a wound in the
thigh.
The Messers have always borne bad
characters, and, as they had not been
drinking any that day, nothing but
their bad blood must have urged them
to such deeds of violence. Mr.. Pat
terson is minister Of the Baptist
church, and has an unexceptionally
good reputation, and his death, if it
occurs (there being no hope of his re-
covery), will be greatly lamented by
all who know him.
Governor Blackburn heard the re.
cital Of the deeds with perfect horror.
remarking at tie conclusion: IF the
legislature had passed that militia tax
of twenty-five cents on each male be-
tween eighteen and twenty-five. |
every county in the state
would have been we'll protected
with infantry and artillery, principal |
ly those mountain counties, which
seem to be infested with so many dan |
gerous characters.