Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-07-16
A sENATOBIA SENSATION.
wesley Whitfen, q Prominent and
wealthy Merchant of Psnoia
County, Mississippi,
Arrested for n Murder Committed in
Isss-Hfs Desperate Effort to Es.
eape-An Inferesfssk Case.


special Correspondents OF the Appeal
SENAroBIA, Miss, July 14-The prevail
ing sepsztion in this section just now il the
recently seyeloped facrs connected with the
murder OF an old gentleman OF the name of
Walker In the Bste-ville district, of Panols
county. 10 1878. Walker, a farmer, was
taken from his house one night in the sum
mer of 1873 by a number OF men and so
severely beaten that he died. In few days
two voting men-Bennett and Newberry---
who lived near Walker, disappeared
aud suspicion at once attached TO them.
They were both shrewd, and not until
thew had been ''shsdowed" q long while
were they captured, one in Texas, the other
in Kansas. Being brought back 10 Sardis,
they were tried and convicted, after an in
terestipg and holly contested fight. These
men had no money, and yet they had the
finest array OF legal talent that could be pro-
duced. This, of itself suspicious, with other
circumst ances, led many 10 surmise that the
Whitteus. who it was said Ssszrnished them
LAWYERS, were the instigators of the
killing. Bennett and Newberry, after
conviction, were carried before the
grand Jury, but were as dumb as
oysters. Newberry having served out his
term, about two months ago notified District
ATTORNEY Oglesby that he wass ready to
"squesl' on all connected with the killing.
In few days that which for years had been
a smothefed suspicion-a vague conjecture
suddenly burst into startling reality by thes
afrest OF three negroes aud warrant for the
arrest OF Wesley Whitten, a prominent
merchant and planter, near Whitten's Mill.
But Whilten could not be found. AT first it
was supposed he had gone to Arkansas, but
Whitfen was to be m married soon, and the neigh
borhood gossip placed him on the dodge In the
neighborhood of his "future happiness"
Last week the sheriff spotted" him, and one
night Scaled The town" ON MIN. Whittep
was prepared, and with shotgun in one
hand and pistol in the other attempted to
escape, and was severely wounded and cap
tured. He is now under $4,000 bond for
his appearance at the Circuit Court. Thus
an old murder is the new topic OF conyersa-
ton, and as Whitten has money and friends
lively fight is anticipated. II will prove
most interesting case.
Recent rains have insured fair corn crop
and the cotton prospect is materially inn
proved. The ."laying-by" season is near at
hand, and in consequence "fsh-fries,' p pic
MICS and politics are coming 10 tho front.
Health unusually COED; therefore doctors
sick. People IeunslTk kAbiy qriet ana orderly,
hence lawyers idle. The protracted meeting
season is not yet on hand, religion is there
fore in its normal condition. Very few of our
people contemplate visiting sum ner resorts.
And why should they, with good health,
the Thermometer down in the seventies, and
money as scarce aH an Irish Republican in
Memphis when Pat Winters is a candidate
on the Democratic tieket2 By the way, il
grieves US much to see our friend, General
Luke Wright, and other good men led
astray with the "ten-cent honesty scheme.
Il appears 20 me that If a fellow can
conscientiously scale your debt forty,
ceats on shs dollar that it would not
be ciassed among the hercuian lsbors for
him to stretch his conscience just "teu cents
worth" more. We Mississippians feel deep
interest in the success of Bate in Tennessee,
aud We think ali OF you Democrats ought to
"kiss and make up" quit fighting each other
but concentrate your forces on the common
enemy, and settle both your State debt and
Hawkins forever in the coming election.
nCC CIONAT