Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1904-08-04
gerous duty to perform in at
tempting to perform this task.

In the eastern part of Nelson
county, in lonely spot, in the
early part of the late century,
was a tavern kept by a man
named Harris. The place was
reputed to be the rendezvous of
the outlaws. 1t was said that
Murrell, Mason and McCabe
frequently met there, and that
the Harpes rested there several
days at a time during their pc
riodical visit to Nelson County.
Harris seemed to be their conf
dante, and many travellers who
went to the tavern were never
heard of afterward. The tavern
was watched, but nothing save
additional suspicious We're arous-
ed. The two Harpes were be-
ing searched for, aud at every
road crossing proclamation
was nailed to a tree, offering a
reward of $500 for either of the
Harpes, dead or alive. "Big"
Harpe was soon after killed, just
after committing most cold
blooded murder. Harpe willie
riding along the road met a boy
named Gerald. Harpe attempt
ed to take a sack of meal which
the boy was carrying, and the
little fellow resisted. Harpe
drew a knife and stabbed the boy
to death, multllating his body
in horrible manner. Then he
took the meal and rode on, leay-
ing the boys dead body lying on
the road.
A passer-by found the body of
the boy, and, noting the tracks
made by Harpe, secured assis-
lance and started after the as
sassin. Harpe was watering his
horse at a small stream when he
heard his pursuers approaching.
The outlaw raised his rifle, but,
before he could shoot, one of his
pursuers fired, the ball striking
Harpe and breaking his back,
He fell to the ground and vainly
attempted to secure possession OF
his rifle, which had rolled from
his grasp.
Just then the father of the
murdered boy arrived. The out.
ragged parent went to the pros
trate body of the murderer o.
his son, and, while Harpe wal
pleading for his life, began t.
skin the outlaw alive. After
most of the skin had been re
moved from his body Harp'
died. Then his head was Gu
off. A young sapling was mex
bent down, its branches stripped
to the end, to which Harpe'
head was fastened. The skull
remained there for years. |
became a well-known landmark
and the place is yet callet
"Harpe's Head" The appear
ance of this man was said to b.
terrifying. lie was almost sever
feet tall, with long hair an
beard, wore coat cut off at tn
waist and knee trousers. 1
hatchet was carried in his belt
as was also u knife. When all
cry his eyes would roll and flash
giving him a horrible appear
ance. His brother was kille,
shortly afterward in Tennessee
After the killing of Harpe til
Murrel and McCabe band agai
made it's appearance at the Han
ris tavern. During their sta
there some fine horses disappear
ed from the neighborhood. Thi
band was suspected and th
Sheriff of Nelson county was re
quested to raise a posse to go t
the tavern and capture the out
laws. The Sheriff wanted
make sure of his men before h
raised the posse, and sent a sp
to the tavern to discover ho'
the outlaws were fixed for dc
Tending themselves. The spy
whose name was Denton, wen
to the tavern. He was a sma
man, very strong, utterly feal
less, and calculated to deceiv
the most suspicious. Arme
and we'll mounted Denton reacI
ed the tavern late in the aftel
b noon, and hitching his horse in