The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-23
THE DUNNAWAY MURDERS
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE
FEARFUL TRAGEDY.
The Vile Record Of the Murderer-Inter-
Views With Members of the Family
The Whole Community Searching
For the Villain.
Special Dispatch to The Appeal.

Special Dispatch to The Appeal.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Feb. 22.-The amer
cans special correspondent sent to Muir
freesboro telegraphs the following in re-
gard to the murder there: Facts learned
at the scene Of the murder show the Grim
inal to have been actuated not only by the
feelings OF revenge and hatred, but posi-
bly, by designs upon the virtue OF pure
girl under circumstances which stamp him
as a brute lower than the animals OF the
field. The excitement here in Murirees-
boro has been allayed to degree by the
general belief that the murderer had fled
the State, the generalsupposition being that
he had gone to Texas, where he had pre-
viously resided for some time. The drive
to the Dunnaway place was commenced
late this evening" and the shades of night
were fast falling before the desolate place
was reached. Several men, some on horse
back and others driving wagons, were met.
Each carried in his hand ready for use
rifle or shotgun, showing that the neigh
borhood is thoroughly aroused This
shows the dread which Is felt lest the fend
return to carry out his threats 10 continue
his hellish work OF murder. The
Dunnaway place, where the murders were
committed, was reached after very peril
Gus trip through u narrow and almost i'm
penetrable lane. Loud calls brought sew
eral occupants OF the house TO the door,
who had 10 be assured OF the identity OF
the visitors before they would be admitted
to the yard. Once inside, the doors were
again locked, and when the purpose OF the
reporters mission was made known Squire
L. Hayes, related TO the Dnnnaway family
by marriage, gave all the particulars Of the
terrible affair. Facts cleaned from him
reveal the total depravity and fiend.hke
nature Of the murderer, and give in II
measure clew TO the incentive OF the
awful deed.
'sQurRE HAYES STATEMENT
was substantially a. follows
81 have, on good authority, that George
Dunnaway m ,lc two attempts at rape
while he was living in Texas, one Of which
! can give you on good authority, aud OF
the other | will not speak, for the facts in
that case are known to me only mcagcrly.
The first was while Dunnaway was living
in Gainesville, Tex, in the family OF
Squire Jo Pcarcv who had gone to Texas
from this ncigiborhood. Pcarcy had
known DunnaWay while here, and when
the latter came TO Texas he took him into
his family as one OF them. In Mr..
Pearcy's family was bright little child Of
nine or ten years OF age, and Dunnaway
went 10 her sleeping apartments one night
and tried TO outrage her. Her screams
brought her father TO the scene and
Dunnaway ran off. lie went to the
country and hired out as a farm hand, and
II Is said lac made another unsuccessful
attempt. This was three ycar ago
Since his return here relatives OF the
Pcarcys here have told the story Of his
liendish attempt in Texas"
TIM INNOCENT CAUSE
OF this almos, successful effort 10 murder
a whole family was next interviewed She
had just finished the evening meal and
came into the room and sat down In quiet
and modest way. which showed an limo
cent though unculiurcd girl. She Is a
plump, well rounded girl, eighteen ycars
Of age, with soft, hazel eyes aud ruddy
complexion and an intelligent face, in
which one could read contid.
ing aud loving nature. She wis
uycr~o TO talking at first, but
finally became composed aud ut ease, aud
before her statement was finished she had
revealed the hidden cause OF the murder
From her statement IL was gathered that
Dunnaway had contemplated the murder
two or three months, ~ hc had been go
ing heavily armed Tor that lcEgth oi time,
but he had not made any open threats an.
til three weeks ago, when hc said to Miss
Dunnaway tha, lac was going 10 kill some.
body soon.
When asked b. her who Il would be.
hc said lac intended to XIII Mrs Eliza
Hall, Mr.. aud Mn. Jordan, Sallic Dan.
naway, the murdcrcr's cousin; Thomas
DunnaWay. his uncle, and Mrs Bob
Pcarcy. lie assigned ~ his reason i0r
the contemplated murders that the people
named above had been talking about him.
Mn Pearcy, the last named, was the
one who had told the story m the neigh.
borhold OF his attempted rape in Texas
Later he told the girl hc intended 10 Kill
her father, but aiterNarl said hc was only
joking; that hc vas going to Kill. but d
would be none Of her folks. The real
cause Of the murder was. per-
haps, the parents objections 10 his
suit Tor the hand Of their daugh.
ter While the girl disclaimcd any
knowledge oi objections on thc part OF her
parents. Mr.. Hayes, above quoted. said
ihc murdered man told him lflaycsl about
Christmas that bee did not want bunch, E"
as the young lady is called. to marry
George on account OF his Wild ways. This
objection was probably communicated 10
Runaway, Who determined 10 murder
The old people.