Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-01-06
FrESDs McARSATE.
Fearful Double Murder in East Tennessee

Knoxville, Dec. 29.-.William Whaley
and his wife were shot and instantly
killed at their home in Sewer County,
two miles south of Sevierville Monday
night about 7:80 O'Clock. In all its de.
tails the crime is the most blood curd.
ling in the criminal history of this sec.
tion.
The story, as reported from Sewer.
vile, is that at the hour named Wha-
ley was awakened from his slum bers
by vigorous pounding on the door to
his dwelling. He inquired who were
the intruders. but received no response.
AT length two men effected an en-.
trance and covered tho helpless man
and his wife with shot guns.
Iu addition to these there were also
in the house Miss Lizzie McMahan,
sister OF Mrs. Whaley, and little, 4
months old babe.
Seeing that they were masters of the
situation, tie villains demanded that
the two prepare to meet death, and
that quick, The dazed woman begged
that she be allowed to kiss her little
one before being plunged into eternity.
She Was granted sufficient time to give
the child farewell kiss, and convey
1t to Miss McMahan. A.
This done, the fatal moment had ar
rived. With deliberate aim, and with
treachery characteristic of only such
heartless scoundrels, the assassin fred
the shower of buckshot that complete.
ly severed the heads OF both husband
and wife from their bodies.
1t was all over; and realizing that
their murderous mission had been &C.
complished, the two men fed into the
darkness of night. s-
The only witness to the terrible deed
was Miss Mahan. Upon being ques-
toned later, she described the two men
as being, one very tall and the other
rather short and stout. One wore
black mask over his face, and the
slouch hat of the other was lowered.
Beyond this brief description she could
give no information as to the identity
of the parties who committed the crime.
Meager though the details are, the Of
ficers are of the opinion that they have
sufficient evidence to effect the ulti.
mate arrest of the guilty parties.
When the fatal shots were fired the
two victims fell dead. The young wo.
man, who was thenleft alone in the
house, rushed madly outside. Her
cries for help soon attracted the neigh.
bo:s, and with bated breath she re.
lated the terrible story. The ldead
bodies were viewed, and the entire
community was in very short time in
state of excitement.
A messenger was at once dispatched
to Sevierville to advise Sheriff Naples
of what had occurred. Within very
short time he was upon the scene, and
had his corps of deputies at work In an
effort to detect the guilty parties. He
made an effort to secure bloodhounds
from Sheriff Groner, of Knox County,
but could not do so. Every effort is
being made to run down the murder
ers. and it appears now but matter
of very short time until they will be
landed.
Not only are the officers at work in
earnest in their efforts to locate the
daring desperadoes, but they have been
Joined by many citizens, who equally
appreciate the imperativeness Of run
ming down the perpetrators Of such
terrible deeds.
Though poor man, William Wha-
ley was recognized as one Of the most
hard working, honest and popular In
the section in which he lived. He was
tenant on the farm of Capt. E. NJ.
Wynn, ex.Sheriff of Sewer County.
1t was at his home on this farm that
he met his death. He was known
to be quiet and unassuming man,
and was reputed to be man whose
enemies were decidedly few.
Whaley and his wife were recently
summoned before the last grand jury
of the Circuit Court of Sewer County.
Here they gave evidence that was suf-
ficient to warrant the grand jury in
finding true bills against certain per-
sons for whitecapping.
Sevierville, Dec. 30.-The most in
tense excitement continues here and
all over Sewer County over. the muir.
der of William Whaley and wife.
Sheriff Naples and several Of his depu.
ties.are still engaged upon the case,
but so far have not succeeded in I'm.
earthing any clues which would war.
rant making any arrests.
1t was stated yesterday that sus
picipnl pointed to two men against
whom Whaley testified before the
grand jury at recent term of the
Circuit Court. These men, who were
indicted by Whaley, are w. R. Catlett,
one of the most prominent citizens Of
the county as well as one Of the wealth
lest, and his brother in law Bob Wade.
Sometime ago Whaley was tenant
on place owned by Catlett, whose
residence is six miles from Sevierville
on the Knoxville road. Catlett had
some trouble with another tenant,
man named Naples. One night Catlett
and Wade, his brother In law, came
to Whaley's cabin and forced him to
accomnanv them IN Manlea' houaa