Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-09-11
Another Account.

The first reports of the killing of Elijah
Axley, last week, in Monroe County, Tenn,
by Bob Triplett, in witch it was represented
as justifable homicide. l think it is calcu.
lated to make very erroneous impression
upon the public mind, and when the facts
are all brought out they will make up
very different case.
From reliable parties who live in the
neighborhood when the killing took place,
learn the following facts: 1t seems that
Triplett and his wife did not live very hap
PLY together, and some time ago she was
taken i'll suddenly one day. being in few
weeks of child birth, and during the night
following she died. 1t is said that Triplett
objected to calling a doctor, and after he
had been called by his neighbors he ordered
him away, and he went. When Mrs. L.
was dressed for burial, several ugly and sus-
picious bruises were found upon her per-
son, and that in view of these, her delicate
condition, and sudden death, and his strange
condnct in regard to medical attentions, it
began to be mooted in the neighborhood
| that most likely Mrs. 7. came to her death
by violence at her husbands hands. and that
the matter ought to be brought to the at
! tention of the grand jury at -Madisonville,
at the September term of the circuit court,
and Triplett said he was going to leave the
county before court, and that he intended to
settle some matters before he left.
On last Saturday morning, Axley being
on his way to work the road, went by DIR.
Bayless house to borrow watch to keep
the time on the road and when he got there
Bayless family, with Bob Triplett, were at
breakfast. Axley took chair and sit down
on the front porch. AS soon as Triplett
saw Axley he left the table, went into
another room, and then come Immediately
out on the porch where Axley was, and said
| in a rude and angry manner, what
authority have you for talking about me, "
when Mr.. A., replied, he was denounced as
q liar, then he arose to his feet and attempt
ed to strike Triplett, when Triplett stabbed
| him three or four times in the side, once in
the neck, and several times in the head.
The stabs were deep, and made with mar
row instrument. Axey jumped off the
porch and picked up two rocks, when Trip
lett ran, and Axley followed him but a few
steps and fell to rise no more, but expired
almost immediately. 1t is said that in less
than five minutes after he arrived at Bay
less house Axley was dead. 1t is said now
that Triplett had threatened Alleys life,
but he (Axley) was not aware of it. Ply
| SlcaIy, AAley was large anu powerful Hlall,
while Triplett was a small man, and yet il
is fact that Tripiett was not scratched, AND
Axley was stabbed eight or nine times.
This fact, coupled with the further fact thai
Jim Bayless was bitter enemy of Axley,
would seem to justify the belief that there
was some foul play shown.
1t was most unfortunate occurrence, and
not justifable homicide, by any means, but
rather a foul and atrocious murder Elijah
Axley was son of that noted old pioneer
Methodist preacher Axley, who taught the
people of Monroe, McMinn and Roane
Counties fifty years ago., and who was
specially conspicuous for his eccentrieities
his piety and his earnest advocacy of tenn.
perance principles and sobriety. Eijal
Axley was peaceable, quiet, industrious,
good citizen, but would resent an insult
when offered, and was a member in good
standing of the Masonic order
; RTriplett, understand, has not been ar
rested yet, but I learn that considerable
reward will be offered for his arrest soon.
JUSTICE
Athens, Sept. 10, 1851.