Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-05-25


Mrs. Fletcher wanted witness to go to her
| brother, but witness didn't want to go.
Then wanted witness to go to Robin1tt's.
| Witness went to Arthur Larkin's house
after5 the killing. Think told Mrs.
| Cooper there about the converse
ton heard the night before.
Mrs. Fletcher didn't say anything to wit
ness about that. Mrs Fletcher told witness
she wasn't able to pay her, and wanted
| (herself) to go to her daughter, in Arkansas.
This was why she wanted witness to leave.
| Cross-examined-Wil Larkin went up
with George when he went off afoot. Will
came back got his gun; didn't hear the
shot, didn't see George have squirrel; saw
it is to Art Larkin's may be three miles,
but don't believe it is, jnst about quarter
of mile to where Art. was killed.
Robt. Cook-Reside in Rogersville. Haw-
kins County, jailer and deputy sheriff ac-
| quainted with George Larkin. George came
to witness two different times something
like II months ago to borrow pistol, said
he wanted to go into the upper end of the
| county, didn't know but what would get
into difficulty; had one pistol and wanted
another. Witness asked him what was up,
said he had had d lawsuit with Art. Larkin
and other parties, and didn't know but
would have difficulty. Didn't let him have
a pistol.
Cross-examined- Suppose George was
| deputy marshal; didn't say was going to
serve papers, said he had business
| Have been indicted in this court for letting
prisoners have too much liberty.
John Green-Known George Larkin 10
or II years, was also acquainted with
Arthur Heard George have conversation
| with his mother at her home 10 or II years
ago. Witness WAS living at her house then.
CIhe witness was then asked if he heard
the defendant make any threats against
Art. Larkin at that time but the question
was ruled out of order, the time barring it
by statute of limitation
At this point the counsel for the State an
nounced that he would close for the present,
| but he had some other witnesses who would
be here and he would ask to introduce
them.
THE DEFENSE
opened their side of the case by the intro
duction of Col Thos. II. Reeves as the first
witness. He was questioned by Col.
Thornburgh, and deposed in substance as
follows: Am marshal for the Eastern dis
trict of Tennessee. Larkin was, at the time
of the killing, deputy under witness, and con-
tinued to act until the true bill was found.
term of Capt S. P Evans expired in March.
Capt. S. P. Evans-Was the predecessor
of Col. Reeves as marshal for twelve years.
Defendant was deputy for about
eleven years. Then the time
expired, and before appointment
of successor; instructed deputies not 20 serve
papers in their hands, unless in very urgent
cases. Larkin was pretty fair officer;
Hawkins County was not in his jurisdiction.
Always regarded his character for peace and
quietness, soberness, &C., very good;
thought as an officer he was rather too timid
for the business he was engaged in. Never
heard of his having fuss, unless when he
had been resisted. A great portion of the
time officers had good deal of trouble in
enforcing the revenue laws. Always con-
sidered it dangerous business, on account
of resistance. Very frequently officers were
shot at and wounded. There was such a
state of affairs as to put the officers on their
guard.
Cross examined-Resistance was confined
principally to the ranges of mountains on
either side. Don't remember to have had
troub from resistance in Hawkins County.
Don't recoliect whether any one was ever
arrested in Hawkins County for illicit dis
tilling by witness or officers. Don't remem-
Der to have heard George ever speak of
law suit with Art. Larkin until the killing.
Suppose gave instructions to Larkin not to
serve papers during the intermin; gave to all
deputies.
W. W. Freshour-Officer of revenue de-
partment for over two years; been with
Larkin a good deal in the performance of
duty. Larkn always performed duty pretty
well. He was slow and easy, backward in
getting into difficulty; always timid, most
too much SO. Duty of enforcing the rev.
enue law not pleasant one; officers have
been shot at and wounded; it is not very
safe business; up to year ago, re-
sistance was very frequent. In
danger and in tight place, George
always stayed, but he didn't seem
like he liked to stay. Some time before the
difficulty witness spoke to George and told
him he expected he would have to take out
warrant for his kinsman, Arthur Larkin,
when George replied that he George had
warrant for BIN.
ss-examined-Never had any trouble
in Hawkins County. Meant to say exactly
that George was rather cowardly, though he
always staid, never left witness.
j. l.. Lewis-Been engaged nearly
five years in the revenue service;
sometimes the work is pleasant and
sometimes very disagreeable. Never
knew when are going to get into
trouble Have been with Larkin some. AL
ways thought him an easy and smooth man
to tell the truth about it, always thought
George was coward. He was the last man
in the service that would have
been expected to raise a difficulty, unpro-
voked.
J. G. Duf-Been a deputy marshal for
nearly II years. 1t has been very dan
gerous business up till a year or
two ago; not SO bad now. Been
often resisted, shot and shot at,
thought it necessary to be always on the
alert.
r. T. DeArmond-Been deputy marshal
since 1874 At times been very dangerous
business; never was in any shooting scrapes,
but have been warned and was always on
guard. Have worked with Larkin. He was
very good officer, but was little too shy
and timid; in fact, thought George was a
coward
Davidson Sprouse-Known George Lar
kin or 7 years, never heard anything
against his character. Was sheriff of Cooke
County when Larkin operated there; there
was good deal of danger in some locali-
ties in enforcing the law, and it hasn't dis
appeared yet everywhere. Larkin was a
good officer, quiet and peaceable.
W. NJ. Lindsay-Been an officer in the
revenue service. Larkin had the character
of being a good officer. Witness consid-
cred the business very dangerous.
VIM. Monroe-Lived in Hawkins County
all life-Justice of the peace there six years.
Saw Art Larkin lying in the field where he
was killed. Got there before the body was
| moved. Witness presented rough dia-
, gram of the field where the killing oc-
J Cured, which was examined 1t was a
} field of about Is or 20 acres. Gan explana-
ton was given of the situation. and where
} the body was found Saw where Arthur
was shot. Was acquainted with Arthur
Larkin; tolerably good sized and strong
) man, right smart the largest and
| strongest man, plucky kin.
of a man; considered as much of man.
J Don't know as can say he was quarrelsome
man; never had any trouble with witness;
generally looked upon as plueky man, not