Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-06-13
COX AND STANLEY
Charged With the Snodderly Dou-
BILE Murder Surrender.
Brief Story Of the Bloody Union County
Tragedy.

Tribune. Clarence Cox and John Stan
ley, the two men accused of the bloody
murder of Henry Snodderly and wife
in Union County in February last, had
surrendered themselves at the county
Jail.
They did now come, however, as if of
their own free will, for with the two
men, marching as if to keep them from
escaping, were four men, each armed
to the teeth. This guard consisted of
John G. Cox, father of the Clarence
Cox accused; Sam Allison, VIM. Hall
and Mr.. Weber, all of whom reside
in the Ninth Civil District of Knox
County. Yet this guard was not for
the purpose of preventing the escape
of Cox and Stanley, but, on the other
hand, to keep any other persons from
arresting the accused and thus secur-
ing the reward money offered.
The rewards offered amount to S4OO,
the Snodderly heirs putting up 5000
and Gov. Turney the other 5000. One
half of each amount goes when the
arrests are made, the remaining half
upon conviction for the crime.
Up the Middlebrook pike into the
city came the sextette, having jour
neyed from their homes in the Ninth
Civil District under cover of darkness.
From Fort Saunders by q round about
route they went to the county Jail
where the men were surrendered; Jno.
Il. Cox arousing Sheriff Fox from his
slumbers and making a formal trans.
fer of the men into his care.
The Snodderly murder was the blood
lest and most horrible affairs that has
ever blackened the pages of Union
Countys history. In a little country
home near Gades, twenty five miles
from Knoxville lived an aged couple,
Henry Snodderly and wife. The SHOWS
of ninety winters had settled upon the
fathers head, while his trusted COM
panion was past seventy years of age.
They had been prosperous. were con-
sidered rich and it was believed that
the motive of the double crime had
been robbery.
On the night of February s, last,
Snodderly, his wife and their grandson,
Sam Gwyune, we're sitting in room
together. Gwynne, who is about
twenty years of age, arose to 20 to
mill some distance from the house and
no sooner had he opened the door than
two men, wearing red handkerchiefs
over their face and each carrying
revolver, pushed past him into the
room. The old man was first killed
and then his wife was shot, but she
lived short time. being able to drag
herself into another room.
Gwynne was then covered by the
weapons and he was compelled to open
the drawers of bureau in the room.
Their contents were dumped cut and
while the robbers were trying to hurt
for money and cover Gwynne at the
same time, he escaped, running to the
house of John Snodderly, son of the
murdered man, a quarter of a mile
away and notifying him of the occur
renee.
Two little grand children who were
also in the house when the murder
was committed sought hiding places at
the time and were not found until the
following morning.
After committing the murder, the
assassins took what little money they
could find and left the house. Going
to the barn, they saddled two horses
and disappeared.
Deputies Bowman and Harden were
sent to the scene by Sheriff Fox. and
after investigating and hearing the
story of young Gwynne decided to
place him under arrest. He was brought
to the city but was not confined in Jail,
as there was no proof at hand that he
was guilty of the crime. 1t had been
believed that he did the work and had
manufactured the story, and though
there were some flaws in his narrative,
yet no proof could be found against
the young man.
Deputy Sam HARRISON at the same
time was despatched to Powell's. In
company with a man named Mitchell
and Union County constable he went
to the house of John Stanley, who was
thought to have fired the shots that
killed the aged couple. He was not at
home.
Believing Clarence Cox was the other
robber the officer went to his home.
but he was not there. Deputy Harbi,
son then returned to Knoxville.
Suspicious as to these two men was
aroused as to the fact that Gwynne
stated he thought he could recognize
Stanley's voice the night of the mur.
der. Whoever the murderers were,
they left the horses they had stolen
at Powells., continuing their journey
on foot.
The murder was committed on Thurs.
day night and unfortunately for Cox
and Stanley If they are innocent, they
left their homes in the Ninth District
of this county the day before the kill
ling, saying they were going to Birming-
ham to get work. They were seen on
the road, but not near Snodderlys
Within two days after the murder