The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1904-08-10
MURDERER MET AN AWFUL DOOM
Thrilling Adventure Spy Sent to Reconnoe Gang OF
of Robbers. Escaped from Window Leaving
Dummy in His Bed. Led Posse to Tavern.
From the Chicago Chronicle,


The recent doubiy fatal street duel
between John Murrell and Blue Puck
EFT at Iron Mountain, KY, removed 1ne
last surviving relative, it is believed
of John A. Murreli, the noted outlaw
In the pioneer days Murrell infested
.<4hat section of Kentucky Nelson coun-
tyl and had for his partners Bin NC
Cabe, Mason and the two Harpes-
"Blg" and Little" as they were
known. These five men were as blood
thirsty gang as threw their lots to-
gether in any part of the world No
crime was too foul for them to commit.
The sheriffs of the counties in which
they roamed had dangerous duty TO
perform in attempting to drive them
away or into Jail, and several OF the
officers were killed while trying TO
perform this task.
In the eastern part of Nelson county
in lonely spot, In the early part OF
the last century, was tavern kept by
a man named Harris. The house was
built of logs, and was large building,
made up of many additions, hooks ana
angles The place was reputed TO be
the rendezvous of the outlaws. IL was
said that Murrell, Mason and McCabe
frequently met there, and that the
Harpes rested there several days at
time during their periodical visits to
Nelson county.
Harris seemed to be their conhdant,
and many travellers who went to the
tavern were never heard of afterward.
The tavern was watched, but nothing
save additional suspicious were arous-
ed. The Harpes were being searched
for, and at every road crossing proc
lamation was nailed to tree Offering
q reward of $500 for either of sthe
Harpes, dead or alive. big" Harpe
was soon after killed just after commit
ting a most FLOODED murder.
Harpe, while riding along the road,
met boy named Gerald. Harpe at
tempted to take sack of meal which
the boy was CARRYING and the little
fellow resisted. Harpe drew'a knife
and stabbed the boy to death, mutilat-
ing his body in a horrible manner.
Then he took the meal and rode on,
leaving the boys 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
after the assassin. Harpe was water
ing his horse at small stream wher
he heard his pursuers approaching
The outlaw raised his rifle, but before
he could shoot one of his pursuers FIR
ed, the ball striking Harpe and break
ing his back. He fell to the ground
and vainly attempted to get possession
of his rife, which had rolled from his
grasp.
Just then the father of the murdered
boy arrived. The outraged parenr
went to the PROSTATE body of the muir,
derer of his son and while Harpe wa
pleading for his life began to skin th,
outlaw alive. After most of the Skin
had been removed from his body
Harpe died. Then his head was GU
of. A young sappling was next ben
down, it's branches stripped ID the end
TO which Harpe's head was fastened
The skull remained there for years
1t became a we'll known landmark
and the place is yet called "Harpe',
Head"
The appearance of this man was SAID
TO be terrifying. He was about sever
feet tall, with long hair and beard
wore coat cut off at the waist, anC
knee trousers. A Ratchet and knife
were carried in his belt. When angry
his eyes would roll and fash, giving
him a horrible appearance. His broth
er was killed short while afterwards
in Tennessee.
After the killing of Harpe the Muir
rell and McCabe band again made its
appearance at the Harris tavern. Dur
ing their stay there some fine horses
disappeared from the nelghborhood