The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-03-10
The Winston County Tragedy
Praiseworthy and Gallant Conduct
of Sheriff Johnson.
LouIsvIII,E. MISS March
y. T. II. OLAIBUKNE
NATCHEz, March 5, 1881.

| LOUISVILLE, Miss, March 7, 1881.
| EDITORS CLARION On the 18th of Feb
ruary, George Conner, negro man con.
victed at the January term of our Circuit
| Court for the murder of his wife, was pub
| licly hung near our town. An immense
| crowd assembled to witness the execution
probably the largest that was ever seen in
Louisville, variously estimated from five to
| six thousand persons. In the afternoon OF
that day young man by the name of John
Thrasher became very disorderIy on the
| streets, whereupOn w. d. Triplett, deputy
Sheriff of the county, and town Marshal of
Louisville, approached him for the purpose
of arresting him. Thrasher at this time
| told Triplett, that if he would not arrest
him, he would go home, to which Triplett
accorded. As soon as Thrasher was releas-
ed, he drew large pistol, and challenging
Triplett to arrest him, galloped out of town.
Thrasher was Immediately pursued by
Triplett, and in order to elude pursuit
Ehrasher dismounted, but finding capture
inevitable, he turned toward town as he
says, with the view of giving himself up,
the corporate limits of the town by one W.
L. Hindman, who dsmounting gave Thrash
er his horse and told him to shoot Triplett
(who was then within fifteen, in rear of the
parties) if he attempted to stop him.
Thrasher wheeled his horse, and was met by
Triplett, who Selling the reins of the bride
told him to consider himself under arrest,
ar1 h.
charge his duty. Thrasher Immediately
discharged his pistol at Triplett The ball
entering near the left nipple, passing
through the lungs and ranging diagonally
downward came out near the spine. Trips
lett staggered few steps, and fell, exclaim.
ing II am dead man" just as John Rob-
erts arrived. Hindman now passed on foot,
and said, looking at Triplett, che will do it
every time, gentlemen"
The best medical aid, the care and an
guish of loving friends, many of whom
would gladly have died for him, were una
vailing, for within an hour after the fatal
shot, he ceased to breathe. It is said
the reaper death is partial to the
best loved. 1t was so in this case the
deceased was youth just merging into
of stainless moral character, of urbane,
winning address, and member of the Bap-
tist church of this place. All realize that
in the death of w. d. Triplett, eur COM
munity has lost one of its brightest jewels. |
When the intelligence reached town of
the shooting of Mr.. Triplett, our Sheriff, |
Capt. w. B. johnson. calling on w. T. |
Stevens and w. ]. Wood, started in pursuit |
of Thrasher, who was then two and half
onf cd Es~hf
Capt. johnson was informed that he had |
just left the road. Following the direction
indicated, Capt. johnson urged his horse |
through the wood; passing through which, |
he came in view of Thrasher, who was mak> |
ing his way toward ravine. Capt. johnson
perceiving his intention made a slight |
detour to the right, with the view of cut |
ting him of, which Thrasher seeing, he |
threw himself behind a tree, and fred at /
johnson, the ball taking effect in his horse, /
exclaiming to johnson at the same time, |
''God damn you, will kill you, if you adj
vance on me-"
On Capt. Johnson's, and Mr.. Stevens con-
tinued advance, FLASHER surrendered say
ing, that he had been led into the difficulty |
by older men. Mr.. Wood now rode up /
with Thrasher's horse, which he found in an /
adjoining thicket. Capt. johnson and his |
posse brought Thrasher to town, and during /
the night Hindman was also lodged in Jail |
Last Monday and Tuesday were devoted to
the investigation by the Mayor. of the
crime committed by these men, both of
whom were remanded to jail without bail.
think due praise should be awarded our
gallant Sheriff for his prompt discharge of
duty, as the slightest hesitancy would have
rendered futile the attempt to capture the
criminal Though the deceased was q
member Of his family, and loved As a son by
Capt johnson, he only answered the plead
ing look ofthe PROSTATE dying youth, as he
swept on, by one agonizing glance, realizing
the value of every second, staying not when
duty called, though knowing that mute
glance would be the last CLEAN of recogni.
ton, from one he loved 50 well. WP.