Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-22
Murder md Robbery in the WiIds
Of Fentress County.
OOrrespOndent Of the Nnsh,illo pnnner.l

Correspondent of the Nashville Banner.l
LEBANON, April 20.-Some DAYS
ago we mentioned in the Banner that
a man vas murdered in Fentress coun-
ty and was supposed to be named Tay-
lor: Upon investigation by his friends
1t has been found the gentleman's
name was p. Y. Taylor, and was
Familiarity known as Pete, and was al
one time a resident of this county, and
resided near Taylorsville, but soon
after the war lie and Ills brothers
moved to Texas, where he had been
residing till he arrived here about
Christmas, where he visited friends
and relatives, till about the
10th of Januray, when he
bid his friends farewell and in
formed them that he was going back
to Texas; but instead of going that
way, when he reached Nashville, he
took passage on a boat and started IN
the Cumberland. When the boat
reached Woods ferry. he jumped
overt GARD. about 2 O'Clock at night. he
swan to the shore on the Wilson
county side, leaving his valice and
overcoat on board. He went to a
house and dried his clothes, and then
made his way to DR.. Ralston's, near
Hunters Point, the doctors wife be-
ing a relative Of his. When he reach
ed DR.. Ralston's, he bought a horse.
aaddle, bride and an overcoat, saying
that he was leaving the last kinsmen
he had on the face of the earth. He
then departed, going cast.
In the meantime the Banner pub
lished accounts of two murders having
been committed in Fentress county,
which aroused the suspicion of his
friends here that he might be one of
the unfortunate victims. Captain +.
5. Harris, who was a particular friend
Of Taylor's, wrote to Fentress county
and got the description of one of the
murdered men, which answered that
of Taylor so well that he telegrapeed
to Mckinney, Texas, for his friends
to come and investigate the matter.
Soon alter, Colonel Ned Chambers. a
former citizen of this county, arrived,
and proceeded Immediately to Fem
tress county, to investigate.
In n ofthe deep hollows in the
SPUR Of the mountain, near the edge of
Morgan county, the body of Taylor
was disinterred and recognized. Tay-
Tor evidently went Immediately to that
place after leaving here, where he re-
manned seventeen days before the MUIR
der was committed, in an impaired
state of mind. While not travelling
about the country, he made his home
in a little cabin in the head of the
cove. He would bid the family good
by every morning, stating he was going
back to Hancock county, East Ten
nessee, but at night he would come
back to the cabin, and ask if he could
stay all night. This was carried on
during his stay there, until he was
murdered, which occurred about the
10th of February.
Two brothers named Cook we're
charged with committing the murder.
The last seen Of him he was in their
company. Taylor was evidently killed
for his money. He had on his person
about $3.50 in gold, silver and green
backs. The Cook brothers are now
in Jail at jamestown, have been re-
fused bail and will be prosecuted to
the full extent Of the law.
The body when found was in an
almost naked condition. Ex-Sherif
10 Taylor, of Fentress, and other good
citizens took an active part in ferret
ing out the murder. Colonel Cham
bers and friends who went after the
remains say hat the citizens up there
were very kind to him, and offered to
aid him in every way.
We are under obligations to Capt.
+. S. Harris, of this city, for the par
ticulars of the murder, he having
been the medium through which
nearly all the information was derived.
Captain Harris says Mr.. Taylor was
a mar above reproach. His family
connection in this country is good and
his conduct in Texas was always such
that the breath Of suspicion could
NOT ha oacf unon b;n,