The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-07-20

the last surviving relative, 1t is be-
Iieved, Of John A. Murrell, the noted
outlaw.
In the pioneer days Murrell infe sted
that section of Kentucky (Nelson
County, and had for his partners Bill
McCabe, Mason and the two Harpes,
"Big" and 'Little," as they were
known. These FIVE men were as
blood-thirsty gang as ever threw heir
lots together in any part Of the wsrld.
No crime was TOO foul for them to
commit. The sheriffs of the courties
in which, they roamed had dangerous
duty to perform in attempting to drive
them awsy or into Jail, and several of
the officers were killed while attempt
ing to perform this task.
In the eastern part Of Nelson Coun-
ty. in q lone spot. in the early part Of
the last century, was tavern kept by o
man named Harris. The house was
built Of logs and was veEy large
building, made up Of many additions,
hooks and angles. The place Was re-
puted to be the rendezvous OF the out.
laws. It was said thst Mnrrell, Ma
son and MoCabe freque atly met there
and that the HarpeB rested there sev-
cral days at time during eheir peri
odical visits to Nelson County,
Harris seemed to be their confdant
and many travellers who went to the
tavern we're never heard OF afterWn.d.
The tavern was watched, but nothing
save aaditional suspioions were
aroused. The Two Harpes were being
aearohed for and at every road oross-
ing proclamation was nailedto cree
offering reward of $500 for eithes Of
the Harpes, dead or alive. ''Big"
Harpe was soon after killed just after
committing most oold-blooded mur-
DER
Harpe, while riding along the road,
met o boy named Gerald. Harpe ST.
tempted to take sack Of meal which
the boy was carrying and the little
fellow resisted. Harpe drew knife
and stabbed the boy to death, mutisat-
ing his body IN u horrible manner.
Then he took the meal and rode on,
leaving the boys dead body lying in
the road.
A passer.by found the body OF the
boy and, noting the tracks made BY
Harpe, secured assistance and started
sitter the assassin. Harpe was water
ing his horse at small stream when
he heard his pursuers approaching.
The outlaw raised his rife, but before
he could shoot one Of his pursu ers
dred, the ball striking Harpe and
breaking his back. He fell. to che
ground ond yainIy attempted to saoure
possession Of the rife, which had roll
ed from his grasp.
just then the father Of the murd er-
ed boy arrived. The outraged parent
went to the prostrate body Of the mur-
derer Of his son and, while Harpe WAS
pleading fe- HE !!ee, began TO skin
theouslaw alive. After most of che
skin lad been removed from his body
Harps died. Then his, head was eat+
off, a young saplipg was next bent
down. its brsnohess stripped TO che
end, 40 which Harps' d .hsad wasfas-
tened The skull remained there 9or
years. Il became o we'll known laDd-
mark, and the place is yet called
"Harpe's Head"
Ans sppsafanee os this man was
said 20 be terrifying. He was alnost
seven foes tall, with long hair end
beard, wore coat ous OF ,ae the vaiat
and knee trousers. a hatohst was
carried in his belt, ts was also o knife.
When angry his cyea would roll and
fash, giving him . horrible appear
anee. His brother Vas killed shortly
afteruard in Tennesses.
After the killing 'of; Kssps the Niur.,
rell and oCsl,e band again made its
appearance fat the Harris tavern.
During their stay there some fne
horses disappeared from the neighbor.
hood. This band was suspected and
the sheriff Of Nelson County was re.
quested 10 raise a5 posse 70 go 10 the
tavern and capture the outlaws. The
sheriff wanted 90 make sure Of his men
before he raised the posse and senE |.
spy 20 che tavern 20 discover hev the
outlaws, we're tixed Cor defending them:
selves: si3s ~. s. .55Ss
The spy, whose name . was Denton,
went 10 the tavern. BE was . small
man, very strong, utterly fearless, and
had y shy, hesit ating manner that vss