Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-29
FOUR MEN KILLED.
A Frightful Tragedy in North
Alabama.

One of the most terrible tragedies
we have been called upon to record
for some time occurred at Collinsville,
Ala, yesterday afternoon, in which
three men were instantly killed and
another dangerously wounded.
The participants in the fatal tragedy
were some of the wealthiest and most
prominent citizens in that section: A..
B. Hall and his son Thomas. and
VIM. Mullens and brother. The two
former we're killed, also VIM. Mullens,
and the latter probably fatally injured.
Such excitement prevailed at Coli
linsville that the particulars we're
difficult to procure, but as we'll as can
be ascertained, the trouble owes its
origin to dispute over line between
the Hall and Mullens estates. The
land is located about half mile
east of Collinsville and is owned
Jointly by the Halls and Null
lens. Several months since q fence
was built between their respective
tracts by Tom Hall. The Mullens
brothers protested that it was i'm
properly located, and a bitter feud
sprung up between the two families.
1t became intensified by a threat Of
Bob Mullens to tear down the fence.
lie was informed that he would be
killed if he attempted to carry his
threat into execution. Yesterday he
proceeded to remove the fence. Tom
Hall was present, and demanded that
he desist. He persisted, and just as
he took off the first plank Hall fred
blowing off nearly the entire top of
his head, and Mullens fell dead in his
tracks.
John Mullens witnessed the deed,
and when his brother fell he drew his
pistol and advanced on Hall, but be-
fore be could fire the latter emptied
his second barrel into his breast.
Mullens staggered, but by herculean
efforts remained on his feel, land taking
deliberate aim at his assailsnt, fred.
His bullet sped true, and his victim
fell dead within few feet OF him.
Alb. Hall, father of the young man,
rushed up at this juncture, As he
approached the wounded Mullens fired
again, and the bullet passed through
his h cart. Mullens then fell to the
ground, weakened by the loss OF blood
and his a,qonizing pain.
A huge crowd quickly gathered, and
the terrible sight that met their gaze
struck terror to their hearts. and they
stood completely Hgpsfxed with hor-
ror. They gazsd al easb other with
blanched checks, the thFea corpses
and the groans of the wounded man
freezing their blood. The news spread
like wild6re, and in a few seconds the
awful silence was broken BY a terrible
shrek, followed by another as sgoniz:
ing, and two wives, widows nov. threw
themselves across the dead bodies
oftheir husbands. An Undesirable
scene followed, women shrieked,
men thrilled with terror and powerless
to aid running to ADD fro like wild
men, shrieked themselves hoarSe 10
their frenzied excitement, each one at
4 loss to explain the horrible tragedy.
The bodies were removed to their
homes as soon as possible, but the
excitement continued unabate'.
Captain A. G. Hall was the senior
member Of the firm Of Hall, Mackey
& Co., one of the leading and wealth
lest firms in North Alabama He was
well aud favorably known In this city
The other participants in the terrible
tragedy were also known here.