The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1888-08-04
IN BUNCoNIBE JAIL,
John McNIahan Brought to Ashe-
Vile for Safe Keeping,

Deputy-sheriff M. H. Morris,
of Jackson county, arrived in the
city yesterday afternoon, bring
ing with him, John McMahan, a
white man, charged with the mur-
der of E. Buchanan, also white,
near Sylvia, on Tuesday night
last. McMahan seemed to be
very Indifferent about the awful
crime he had committed, and had
but little to say in connection
with the affair, either one way or
the other. Buchanan died from
AS eAssoeI bis soslnd VFesznes-
day night, and public indigna-
ton ran so high in jackson that
the officers of the law were COM
PEELED to spirit McMahan away to
prevent his being lynched by the
infuriated citizens of the county
who were aware of the murder.
He was brought to this city heav-
lily manacled and hand-cufed,
and lodged in jail for safe keep
ing until the next term of Jack
son Superior court, when he will
be tried for his life before a jury
of twelve of his peers. Once be-
fore has McMahan been on trial
in Jackson for murder, as an ac-
ceSSOrv. and he came clear, But
this time the vengeance of the
law will be wreaked upon him,
almost beyond a doubt. He bears
a bad name, and the killing of an
offensive man, and one against
whom he had no grudge, will
weigh most heavily against him
in the scales of justice.
From deputy-sheriff Morris,
we learn that three or four days
ago, q warrant, charging McMa-
han with 'trespass, had been
sworn out before Justice eagle
by a man named Burgess, and
placed in the hands of constable
Lakey for execution. In the mean
time, however, McMahan and
Burness had met and made up
the differences between them, and
it was understood that Burgess
was not to prosecute McMahan.
Lakey ran up with McMahan,
served the warrant upon him, and
took him before Justice eagle for
examination. Here McMahan ex-
planned to the Justice the compro-
mise made between himself and
Burgess, and the Justice said he
would dismiss the action upon the
payment of costs. At this juncture
Burgess came along, and McMahan
declared that .he would only pay
one-half of the costs. and Burgess
must pay the other halt, This Bur-
CESS refused to do, and both he and
McMahan stated that they were un-
prepared to pay the costs at that
time. Justice eagle then remarked
that he would go into trial and see
what there was in it, anyhow. Bur-
CESS remarked to Constable Lakey
that he "was afraid to go on the
stand and swear what he knew
against McMahan; he had a pistol
in his pocket, and he would shoot
him." Lakey went towards No
Mahan, who retreated few steps,
and told him to keep off; I have
no o-pistol, and you are not going to
search me-, Lakey kept on trying
to take the pistol away from Nc
Mahan, and after worrying with
him sometime without securing the
weapon, called to Buchanan, who
was at work near by, to "come and
help me take this pistol away from
McMahan." Buchanan came, and
grabbed McMahan by the left arm,
(the same one which Lakey had
hold ot.) McMahan then threw his
right hand around to his hip pocket,
and drawing his revolver, brought
it in front Of his body and fired it
off under his left arm. The bullet
entered Buchanan's lett side, Just
beneath the nipple and glanced
downwards. He reeled. staggered
and fell to the ground, exclaiming
as he fell, "he's shot me-"
LNeEHUOuY pr6SGuG Gu0uIuSueu up
and secured McMahan, who had
thrown the pistol away in the mean.
time. Buchanan was taken into
Justice eagles house and his
wounds Immediately attended to.
McMahan was taken to Webster and
placed in jail, from whence he was
brought to this city yesterday after
noon. McMahan says that the only
hope he has, is in fighting the trial
off as long as he can. The people in
jackson are very indignant over the
homicide.