The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-23
MURRELL, OUTLAW.
Recollections OF Motor Gus Human
Fiend of the Old Days.


across u Rrewsome bit of writing relative
TO the capture Of the notorious John A.
Murrell, man with the natural depray-
ity of Holmes and the genteel appearance
commonly attributed TO the highway
man OF romance, and VINO inaugurated
reign of disorder during the earlier years
Of Arkansas Mississippi and tennessee,
which did more to delay the development
OF those states perhaps than any other
single cause. Though we would gladly
forget the bloody career OF such monsters,
like the fellow who won M imperisnabls
though unenviablo fame by firing the
Epnesian dome, they are part of history,
and must be deals with as such.
Murrell was distinguished as 'the land
pirate" and the organizer Of the band of
thieves robbers, borse stoalers. negro run
ners, highwaymen, burglars ana muir
Gerers. infestina Memphis, Natchez and
other points in the 3Js under the name Of
the Grand Council of the Mystic Clan. "
lie was born in middle Tennessee IN the
earlier part of the century, and 10 is
claimed that his mother, "a woman Of evil
disposition, encouraged him in petty
thioving when quite young. Before he
became of ago he was confirmed evil
doer, ana il was natural that he should
adopt robbery as n profession. In many
respects he was fitted for an honorable
and even II brilliant career had no chosen
TO pursue tho nobler course He was
handsome and poss ssed "A quick mind
aud remarkably pleasant address. His
manner was frank and corlial-it would
have been called mesmeric IN those days
and often converted his bitter enemies
into close friends. Eumund Burke. when
speaking In favor Of conciliating the col
onies, onoo declared that tho reading of
the law was more general In America
even then than in almost any other ooun
try. This was especially SO in the south,
ana Murrell was well read i'm the law. 1t
may have been at one time in his life ne
was am bilious Of entering the profession.
but IL is irore probable that he studied
law in order TO avoid its dangers. de
was acquainted somewhat with medicine
and was thoroughly versed in scripture
sessed fine Judgment and was completely
devoid of fear
Owing to his early training or natural
proclivity he preferred the vocation in
which le' became notorious, however,;
his splendid gifts were directed IN the
wrong channel ard IN de to subserve the
worst ends He someti ,nes palmed him
self off as "A minister, only TO be more sue
cessful in robbery and murder; he i'm
ptrsonated the physician for the same
ends where t Vas possible ana became
necessary. In his methods be was more
thorough than the men of his calling be-
fore or after him, and when he committed
a crime he as nearly as possible made an
exception to the rule that murder will
out. 1t was said that he Ieyer robbed
man, unless by stealth, without killing
bim, and be never robbed by violence
where the person robbed could not be-
killed. for he regarded murder as 10
more revolving than stealing horse
Said an octogenarian to me while discuss
ing Murrells plans: II suppose you have
heard how he committed his first murder
and the manner of preventing detection.
lie told It himself To nelghbor of mine
who had visited him in the penitentiary.
He said that one day while sitting on
log by tina roadside man came in sight
riding splendid horse. He drew riffs
pistol on the traveller and made him dis
mount. Ordering the stranger TO walk
before him down the creek-actualiy driv-
ing the poor fellow near q deep pool SO as
to save himself the task OF dragging his
body there-he walked a few hundred
yards ana halted. IIe then made the man
undress, refusing the latter's request to be
allowed 10 pray, and shot him through
the head. Taking out his victims en-.
trails he sunk the body in the creek, and
appropriated the horse and clothing to
himself. There was one tine the soutI O. II
people might have done good thing 10y
appealing to Judge Lynch that WA 'ynen
the fend was detected In 1884.
"Mdrrell's was one of the most PECULIAR
natures have ever heard or read OF, ''con-
unued the old gentleman. THOSE who
speak so gliblv Of the deg5nerates of today
should have made study o! him. His
hands were red with the blood of his fell
lows--nnd yet the murders which occurred
in his robhcrios were not committed so
much for the love of tie money as TO
satisfy his morbid desire 20 lead and su,-
coed. Having no mercv for his victims
whntevcr-he was yet rs Kind husband
and brother as have ever known. Aftor
his marringc--that was when he had or
Qanized the clan. ana 10 was in good
working ordor--he sottlei down near the
little town OF Denmark, Madison county,
Tenn. Those of US who lived near him
looked on him rs good rcighbor, for wc
knew nSthiBc OF his Dr. lekyl and Mr..
HYDE sort OF exi stonce. / recall little
which makes his disposition
more difficult 20 understand one night
one OF those bullies which every ccmmun-
ity had when | was young man. had
kicked anu terribly abused the little son
OF Murrell's nearest noighhor Tho blv
had let his dog on tho icllow--a dog that