National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-08-21
FURNISHING A THIEF.
How Justice Was Melted Out sixty
Years Ago-John A. MurreIps Sem

Nashville Union.
Among the many notable characters that
figured in the criminal annals of early Ten
nossCe none exceeds in prominence that Of
John A. Murrell. SO much has been writ
ten concerning his career that sketch OF
him here is altogether unnecessary. His
greatest purpose in life seemed to be the
possession of fine horsefesh and he was
frequently to be found astrido thorough
bred, The only title TO which he could lay
claim was generally the fact that he occu-
pied the saddle, and the man that disputed
that title was In imminent danger OF "gong
to join the angels" without sending them
word.
As daring highwayman and expert
horse thief Murrcl gained national repu-
tation, the principal field Of his operations
being middle Tennessee. In 1920 he was
convicted and sentenced to the pcnitcntiary
for long term, and after serving part of
the term his health failed, and, death APP
preaching, he was pardoned out TO die,
which event occurred IN the mountains
shortly after his release.
A Union reporter yesterday, in looking
over the records Of the circuit court OF
Davidson county of We olden time, found
the following interesting sketch Of the trial
of Murrell. 1t was recorded as part Of the
minutes OF the session of the circuit court
held in the Davidson county court house
on Thursday, May %, 1926, Just sixty years
ago. 1t is given verbatim
"Thc State VS.. John A. Murrell, indicted
for horse stealing. This day came the at
torncy general for the seventh solicitorial
district Of the state of Tennessee, and the
said John A. Murrell was led TO the bar of
custody, Of the sheriff Of Davidson county;
whereupon came jury OF good and lawful
men, to wit Egbcrt Haywood, Henry Lille,
Micajih Fly, William H. Nance, Brent
| Spence, Jordan Hyde, John NJ. Wright,
| Philip Hoover, Norvell II. Robertson, God
| frey Shelton, Johnathan Drake, and John
| Nichol, who being elected, tried, and sworn
the truth Of and upon the premises to speak,
and having heard the evidence, on their oath
do say that the said John A. Murrell is
| guilty OF the horse stealing In manner and
! form as charged In the bill of Indictment;
and thereupon 1t being demanded Of the
| said John A. Murrell, II anything for
himself he hath or knoweth to say
why the court here to judgment and
execution of and upon the premises
| should not proceed, he said that he had
nothing but what he had before said
| Whereupon all and singular, the premises
being saw and fully understood, II is con-
sidered by the court that the said John A.
Murrell receive on his bare back, at the pub
| lie whipping post in Davidson county, thirty
lashes; that he sit In the pillory two hours
on Monday, two hours on Tuesday, and
two hours on Wednesday, and that he be
branded on the left thumb with the letters
III. IT, that he be imprisoned twelve
months from this date, and be rendered in
famous and pay the costs Of prosecution.
| And II is ordained that the sheriff of David
son county put this judgment as to the
whipping into immediate execution, and the
branding on Wednesday next, In the pres
ence of the court, and that the said John A.
Murrell be remanded to jail.
| HWIII. F. KENNEDY JUDGE