St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-30
A TRIPLE TRAGEDY.
Scoundrelism, Love and Revens
in a Tennessee Feud.

SCOundFeliSm, Love and Revenge
in a Tennessee Feud.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dec.29. -Fentress
county, on the Upper Tennessee, is
ablaze with sensation which resulted
i'll the death of three men and the dis
grace of three of the first families of
Tennessee, and it alLcame of scandal
about a woman. Marion and Dave
Beatty and Gwin Bowden lie dead in
their mansions and Edward Harris, the
murderer, is fugitive from justice,
with $500 reward offered for his appre-
henslon and delivery at jamestown.
Three months ago Mary Beatty, sister
of two of the dead men and the belle OF
the upper Tennessee county, retired
from society, and people wondered at
her privacy. Then it became noised
about that the lady had suddenly be-
come mother, and for time it seemed
there would be trouble over the scan
dalOus rumOr. The sensation was sub
Stantiated some time after by the sudden
arrest of CiayboTne Beatty. a banker
and the richest man in the county, at
the inStigatiOn of his daughter, who
charged him with being the father of
her child. This stirred up hornets
nest, and so fearful were the taller and
the sheriff of a mob, that they removed
him from Jail and into another county
for safe keeping.
Neighbors and friends began to take
sides, some with the wronged girl, 9TH
erS with the father. Finally Beatty
gave a $1,000 bond and skipped out.
Mary Beatty went to live with some dis
tant relatives named Harris. who lived
not far from jamestown, to hide her
shame. People were beginning to for
get the matter. when the old sore broke
out afreSh in the triple murder. Mon
day the Harris family, accompanied by
Mary Beatty, came to town to do some
trading and to appear before the grand
jury to indict her father.
The child of shame was brought
along and exhibited in court. The
Beattys were there with their friends
and relatives, and mutterings and
threats began to float about Court adj
jOurned at o'clock, and, after making
some purchases, the Harris family and
Mary Beatty started home. When they
left the courthouse yard Gwin BOWden
and the Beatty brothers mounted their
horses and followed them. One mile
from jamestown Marion Beatty, sew
eral feet in front of his two cOmpan-
ions, rode up to the side of the wagon
and said: MARY, we have had enough
or this foOliShnesS; we want you to
come home"
The girl coored visIby and replied,
ST would rather be dead than live with
you again" and turning to young Ed
Harris, who had stopped the team, she
ordered him to drive on. Marion Beatty
commanded the young fellow to be still
and4aylng his hand on his horses head,
said: "D-n you, if you won't 20 home
We'll beat hell out of YOU" and with
that he cut her a cruel lash across the
face with his whip. She fell fainting to
the bottom of the wagon. Young Har-
ris Indignantly sprang to his feet and
spoke vigorously 10 the three. Take
the same medicine. you imp of hell"
said Beatty in reply, and he dashed Har-
riS thrice with the whip.
That was all, but the next moment
young Harris had drawn a revolver,
and, presenting it squarely at Marion
Beatty. pulled the trigger. Beatty fell
dead from his horse with a bullet
through his heart. By this time Dave
Beatty clutched at the boy, and Harris
struck him with the butt of the revol-
yer. breaking his skull. Three shots
were received by Gwin Bowden, and.
after finishing him. Harris coolly shot
Dave Beatty through the head while
that worthy was wriggling on the
ground. Harris then kissed the girl and
his mother gOOd-by, and. taking Bow
denis horse. fled.
The Beattys have always enjoyed the
respect of the whole country, and six
years ago Clayborne Beatty was state
representative. He is extensively en-
gagged in the general merchandise and
lumber business. Many people believe
the girls story concerning her father
She is an educated, Strikingly handsome
woman about twenty years old, and
previous to the publicity of her shame
| enjoyed the esteem of every one in the
vicinity. The report that Miss Beatty
| and young Harris were married some
| time ago in Scott county is reported, but
cannot be confirmed.