The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1892-04-14
DESPERATE HALFBREED
Numbering Men by the Wholesale in
Burke County.

| A Weird Will Story of Crime in the
Mountains Sent Out From Murphy
Three Men Dead, Another
Wounded and a Woman Dying, the
Result of the Desperado's Deeds.
MURPHY, N. c., April 9-From the
innermost recesses of the Tellico
mountains, twenty miles from this
city, comes the report ola series of
tragedies, which have resulted in
three deaths, a fourth proba BILE
death and a woman seriously
wounded
In the neighborhood referred to
Bill Murphy, an Indian half-breed,
reigns as the king desperado. Cut
off from all influence of civilization,
in spot never visited by those from
the outside world, the little neighbor-
hood of a dozen families is as COM
pletely isolated as if living uponsome
small island in the Pacific The
Murphys have for fifty years held
sway there. One of them, the father
of Bill, venturing to this city during
the late war, was seized by those
whose friends he had slain and was
hanged to a hickory tree near the
old cemetery.
Recently Bill Murphy had a quar-
rel with his brother George. The
latter had demonstrated with him
for his lawlessness. The cause of
Georges interest in good order was
his recent marriage to the daughter
of an hereditary enemy of his family.
Bill Murphy was not inclined to be
won over to the peace because of his
brothers conjugal ties. The discus
sion became warm, when Bill, throw
ing his Winchester rifle to an aim, fir
ed, saying:-
"This is the way l settle such cow
ards as you"
This incident took place week
ago. Frank Medlin, Georges broth
er-in-law, took the body of the dead
man and gave it sepulture Last
Wednesday as Medlin was on his
way to this city, he was shot through
the head by some one in ambush
Bill Murphy Immediately sprang out
into the road and threatened to kill
any one t h a would touch
the body. One of the men
present he ordered TO go to the coro-
ner to tell him that death would be
his portion if he attempted to hold
an inquest.
While he was waiting for the return
of his messenger a neighbor named
Morse, with his wife, attempted to
guard the dead body of Medlin from
the hogs which were about to eat it
up. A couple of shots from Murphy's
Winchester sent them flying. One of
the shots took effect in Mrs. Morse
and the latest reports are that the
unfortunate woman is lying at
deaths door.
Wednesday night Murphy went to
the house of a man named Baily, and
demanded lodging tor the night
Baily hesitated about taking the
desperado in, when the latter
brought his Winchester again into
play, shooting Baily in the right
shoulder. The whole family then
fed, leaving the establishment to the
wild wretch who seemed determined
to take all in sight.
Today Murphy started out on the
IIC uC6tid uHtU DtH
Martin had been criticising his recent
conduct. Armed with his Winchester
he started out in pursuit of Martin,
aid came upon him at work in his
field.
''Get ready for your grave" said
the desperado, as he covered Martin
"Fall down on your knees and ac-
knowledge that you have been lying
on me-"
In vain did Martin expostulate. A
sharp report, and the bullet sent
through his heart finished his course.
Murphy declared to persons whom
he met on the road, that he intended
to kill ten men before the week is
ended.