The National tribune., 1893-02-23

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SHOOTING UNION MES.
of pain he begged them not to kill him. bat
seeing that they were determined 10 take
his life he requested them to allow him
little time TO pray. They abruptly denied
his reoaest. and at once commenced beating
him with the butts Of their guns until they
had knocked his brains out, and then
thrust their bayonets through his lifeless
BODY John Sparks wss shot in the head
with muskei-ball. .whi ich completely tore the
top of h 5 head of, leaving his brains exposed.
Wiley Royal was shot in the shoulder and
back, and when he fell 10 The gr0und one
of the rebel demons took a lenee-stake and
beat his head into the earth breaking his
arms and biuising his body in a shocking
manner. while he continued 10 beg as long
as he coald speak for them to spare his life
Elijah Gentry was shot in the breast, which
killed him instantly. He had no time TO i'm
plore for mercy at the hands OF his mGrderers,
which Of course, they would not have listened
TO in their
HOT PURSUIT AFTER HIS BLOOD
Jacob Lyons was shot in the breast. which
immediately extinguished the flaming light of
life lie fell into creek, where he soon
breathed his last, and his murderers left his
body lying in the water.
T. Blackburn was shot in the shoulder aud
being badly wounded he fell to the ground.
The rebels then beat his brains out with clubs.
broke his arms and bruised his body la a terri
bic manner.
Preston PTuett was shot through tie breast,
which wounded him severely. He begged
them to permit him to pray. and requested
Them 10 send word TO his wife and children.
and inform hem in regard TO his death. Bnt
he might as well have talked to the winds, for
while he spealing TO them they knocked
his brains out with the butts of their guns.
The rebel muraerers now went back TO the
house. taking James Bell, who WAS an old
bachelor and considerably over the con5cript
age, away from his house about 100 yards,
where one OF the rebels prepared to shoot him.
When tire old man perceived that the villain
was going TO shoot him. he ran up 10 the mon
ster and placed his arms around ms neck,
which prevented him from shooting. Bat soon
another rebel murderer ran up and shot him.
The old inan fell upon the ground. and his mur.
derers caught hold of him and laid his head
upon rock Tney then took another rock
and beai lis brains out with it; and not being
yet conicAt, they got rocks and threw them
upon his body. Mrs. Bell, the wife of David
Bell. seeing they were going 10 murder her
bTothprln- la%. went out and commenced an
tercediug for BIN. Two of the ruiians APP
proach' q her and began to punch her with
their guns. aud drove her back TO the
house threatening to shoot her il she offered
TO speak again IN his behalf William Sparks
also belonged TO the company of stampeders
but, being sick. he was in the house VIXEN the
excitement occurred IN the yard. and he asked
Mrs. Bell to conceal him. She Immediately
raised 3 plank from the kitchen foor and he
crept under the kitchen, where he remained
until tbe rebels had finished their bloody work
snd returned 10 burn the house, which they
first commenced by piiing up clothes in the
center Of the q uOr. and setting them on fire.
Just over The cellar where the sick man had
been concealed. The clothes not burning fast
enou-h. they procured a straw bed. and, plac-
ing il on The floor they put chunk OF fire into
IT, the smoke began TO ascend in clonds, when
they were compelled to 90 out into the front
yard TO ohtain fresh air. There were two doors
20 the kitchen. and the wind passing through
closed he door next 10 the rebels, which gave
Sparks opportunity
TO MAKE HIs ESCAPE FROM THE HOUSE.
He crept out from the cellar through the
smoke, aud went through the back yard about
10 steps from the house and concealed himself
under some dry weeds and vines in the garden,
where he remained until the buildings were
consumed. suffering intensely from the terrible
heat OF the fire.
The rcicis now went up the valley among
their murdered victims for the purpose OF
stripping them Of their clothing. Miss Eliza
and was Bells house during the whole time
Of the dreadful excitement, procured lady's
dress, took IL 10 the garden where Sparks was
c0ncesiet and told him to put il on, and there
by most admirably disguised his sex. She
then told him to walk along slowly across the
fields aEd 20 10 her fathers house, telling him
when he got 10 the house her father would
conduct him 10 place of safety. She said all
OF the f3ally woald al once know her bonnet
and liiat would furnish them sufficient evil
denee i.iat lie was not traitor
sparss went On as the kind young lady d.
recied him, and concealed and saved but
he had heeu SO terribly frightened that he did
not recover his proper faculties of mind for
several d7vs. The horrid scenes he witnessed
on that dreadful day surely can never be
erased itom hls memory until death shall have
closed hi7 earthly existence
mau by the name OF Madison had been
badly wounded in the beginning of the ARRAY,
and the rebels, thinking he was dead. left him
lying IN the yard and when the house was
burning some clothes were thrown upon bin,
and saved hlm from any farther notice. When
the Eebcis went off to rob the dead bodies of
the neH whcm they had slaughtered Miss
Moul-oH. Mrs. Bell and one of ber little boys,
and ! s'f.-.ll gifl, carried tue wounded man of
abogi 80 yards When they saw the rebeis re-
turning they laid him down aud started back,
ssopriu2 on their way back at a mill branch 10
wash tie blood Of Of their hands which had
got on them while they were carrying the
wounded man.
The rebels came along meeting them and
asking them where they had taken that man
Hiss Aoi rison told them, aud started on with
Co. Ni-chcr toward the place where they had
laid Madison down,
BEGGING ELoQUEHTLY FOR HIS LIFE
oil the way. Witcher asked her if the
wounded man wanted water. She told him he
did. Witcher then told his men not 10 kill
him. as tie would soon be ia hell anyhow.
The rebels now left him. and when they left
tie neigiii'orbood Madison was carried to
Thomas Green's house. which was cose by
whcre ne remained for four months until he
Recovered from bis wound. he was then cap