The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1900-01-25
TWO THRILLING EXPERIENCES.
Sketch of Ex-Sherff George K. Pntchard
Brother of the North Carolina Senator
A Native of Tennessee.

state, and his adventures in the dis
charge of. duty. Your correspondent
has obtained from an intimate friend of
the ex-sheriff sketch of his life, with
accounts of his two most thrilling ex-
periences.
George X. Pritchard was born in
Jonesboro, Tennessee, forty years ago:
is of medium height; weighs one hun
dred and sixty-fye pounds; has light
hair, blue eys and clear, ruddy COM
plexion.
He is modest and kindly in deport-
mont, of agreeable conversation and a
true gentleman whom it is a pleasure
to meet. Like his distinguished broth
er, the senator, George X. Pritchard
has always been an ardent active re-
publican and the people of his county
have elected him their sheriff three
times. He was first nominated and
elected in 1893 over an Independent re-
publican, while editing the Elk Park
Chronicle
1t was during this term, in June,
1890, that Sheriff Pritchard was first
compelled so take human life in the
discharge of his duty. 1t was Sunday,
and man by the name of Avery Par
ker, merchant OF Bakersville, the
county seat, was on spree and Great
ing all kinds of disorder.
Parker was known to be desperate
man, as he had defied oil law and or
der for years. At one time before Mr..
Pritchard became sheriff, he rode his
horse into the court house during the
sitting of court and also inside the
house of the mayor of Bakersville. He
declared that he would kill any man
who interferred with him.
On the occasion before mentioned
Parker had gathered three or four of
his associates around him in his store
house, and was amusing himself by
firing his pistol out into the street.
This was done to tantalize and bluff the
town authorities.
In company with J. E. Hamrick, the
town marshal, Sheriff Pritchard enter
ed Parker's store to arrest him. Par
ker had just empted his pistol and had
reloaded it. The marshal asked who
was doing the shooting Parker re-
piled "It is me; get out of my house,
d YOU" at the same time firing at
ITamrick. The shot hit the marshal
near the meridian line, ran around and
came out near the backbone.
Sheriff Pritchard now took hand in
the game, though he only had three
cartridges in his revolver At the
Sheriff s second shot Parker fell dead
at his feet.
Just at this time the sheriff found
that he was shot through the hand-an
ugly wound. Sheriff Pritchard discov-
cred Parker's son-in-law, r. H. Young
firing at him from position near the
rear end of the counter, and the sheriff
let him have the last cartridge which
took effect in Young's right arm and
lodged in the shoulder. At this juno
ture, when Young saw the sheriff APP
preaching, Young made good his es-
cape through the back door.
Then, in company with the marshal,
Sheriff Pritchard left the place and
went to the hotel, where they learned
later that Park er's friends were gather
ing mob to finish them up.
They Immediately "got their house
in order" and sent the mob word to
come on, which the said mob conclud-
ed best not to do.
Sheriff Pritchard was appointed q
deputy collector of internal revenue in
1890; served about two years and went
out with the Harrison administration
He ran for sheriff in '02, but was de-
feated by ten votes. Two years later
he ran against the same man and wal
elected by 14O majority. Held the Of
fee two years and was renominated anC
reelected by 300 majority, the larg
est ever given any candidate before b,
Mitchell county.
On August 20, 1897, Sheriff Pritchart
had bench warrant for a noted ant
dangerous desperate by name of Mon
roe Garland, who had, up to that time
shot five men and one woman, and ha'
long defied arrest. With deputies G
F. Blalock and Lafayette Mckinney
Sheriff Pritchard went after Garlan'
into a wild mountain section of tn
county known as Big Rock Greek
about ten miles from Bakersville.
Mckinney was left with the horse
and the sheriff with Blalock went afoC
through the mountains to cabin abou
two miles away, where it was know
that Garland had spent the night
When they arrived near the house
Garland was seen in the yard in con
pany with four or five other men.
On sighting the sheriff, Garland an
his friends began moving off in the Of
posite direction. The officers followe
and when in six feet of Garland calle
to him to halt. He Immediately turne
around with 44-calibre Colts revo
yer which he had been carrying in h