Friday, March 23, 1883 A Mr. Riggins, living in Houston County, this State, shot and killed a Negro some days ago, who, in Mr. Riggins' absence from home, made improper advances to his daughter. Public opinion is on the side of the man who defended his daughter's honor. Tom McLin is a comical colored citizen of Maryville. He used to be preacher, but latterly he has fallen from grace, but he don't like to confess the fact to his former flock. An effort was recently made to get Tom to preach at Louisville, but he declined the offer, giving as a reason that he only had corporation license, and was not allowed to expound the Gospel outside of Maryville. Friday, March 30, 1883 George Rain, of Jackson, Miss., will be hanged at that place on April 12, for murder. Silas Gray will be hanged in Pennsylvania May 24. The postmaster at Greenhorn, Montana, was hanged last week for barn burning. Two Negroes were hanged at LaFayette, Ga., last Friday for murder. Presley P. Wheeler and Maggie Stinnett were put in the harness of matrimony on the 27th, by Rev. Samuel Hyden, to trot through life together. We reckon B.Gardenhire wanted somebody to work in his onion patch---and that's the reason he married Miss. Katie Duncan. We had the pleasure the other day of meeting Mr. J.B. Morris, who is, with his family, stopping at the Wayland House. Mr. Morris has purchased a farm near Maryville and will make Blount County his future home. He comes from Ohio. We extend him and all others a hearty welcome. A little daughter of Judge S.A. Rodgers died at Loudon last Monday. A Snake Story---The following true snake story is handed us by a Methodist devine: Some time ago, Mr. William Whetsell, of Maryville, who then lived three miles in the country, saw a large hawk sitting on a stump within rifle range of the house. When he fired, the hawk flew a few steps and fell. Approaching, he found it unhurt by the bullet, but with a large, rusty, pided snake tautly coiled around the butt of one wing and once round its neck, its head by the side of the hawk's, elevated to the same height, and darting out its forked tongue in a very lively and defiant manner. Mr. Whetsell killed the snake, whose grip on the hawk he found difficult to relax. The hawk being released, flitted off. After I had retired to rest last Monday night I was aroused by a sharp rap at the door, accompanied with an urgent request that I hasten to Springfield and perform the rites of matrimony between Barney Gardenhire and Kitty Duncan. Arriving at the scene of conflict, I found the blushing bridegroom and his affianced ready to be unified. T.J. P. Friday, April 13, 1883 Mr. Levi Russell, aged 90 years, 9 months and 25 days, died on the 31st ult., at his residence in the 2nd district of Roane County. He had been married three times and was the father of 17 children. He had been a member of the Baptist Church for 56 years. Mr. Campbell H. Sterling, who died recently, was 18 years and two days old, instead of "about 20," as stated last week. John Kennedy, a prominent citizen of Knox County, was killed last Saturday by a tree falling on him. A Young Lady Shot---Last Friday night after the close of a social gathering at Alvin Neil's, near Carter's Chapel, in the lower end of this county, some reckless boys began firing their pistols in a careless manner, one of the balls taking effect in the thigh of a young lady named Lane, daughter of David Lane. A man by the name of Crisp is supposed to have done the shooting. Dr. J.W. Williamson extracted the ball, and pronounces the wound as not dangerous. Last week some crazy crank posted a notice in the Court House in this place, prophesizing that a fearful war will break out in the United States on the 19th day of March 1885---that it will rage with terrific fury for three years and will end in the complete overthrow of our civil and religious liberties. He says that at this time the monarchies of all Europe are combing to make war on America, and that every day large armies are being transported to this country, under the guise of imigrants, to aid them in their plans. The prophetic document is signed by David Pittman, who lives somewhere in Loudon County. Friday, April 27, 1883 Andy Taylor will be taken to Loudon and tried for the murder of Sheriff Cate and Deputy Conway. A son of Marion Smith, of Webb's Creek, this county was one day this week, suddenly thrown into violent convulsions, which has since been pronounced a genuine case of hydrophobia. The people on the creek say he has "gone mad." We understand that it became necessary to chain him dowm, as he was trying to bite everything that came in his reach, and succeeded in biting his father before he was confined. ---Sevierville Enterprise. R.M. Fisher, a prominent citizen of Athens, is dead. A lewd character named Hodge was fines $25 by President McTeer Wednesday. W.B. Staley, Jr., of Knoxville, committed suicide last Monday night. Unrequited love was the cause. He was a son of Judge Staley's; was of an inoffensive and mild nature, possessed good talents and was respected by all who knew him. We deeply sympathize with the family in their sad affliction. We regret to learn that our fellow-townsman, D.N. Broyles, continues in very feeble health in Arkansas. James Ferguson and family, of the 10th district, will emigrate to Iowa next week. From Anderson County---A serious accident took place on Powell's River, 15 miles from its mouth, at Fullington's Bend. Mr. Lincoln Russell got his leg caught in the coil of a cable rope, and as the rope stretched tight it cut his leg off just below the knee joint. Mrs. W.C. Newby of this place has had her voice, which has been so for years that she could scarcely speak above a whisper, completely restored---brought about by earnest prayer to God, that He might relieve her affliction. The incident is regarded by some as a modern miracle. EAST TENNESSEE NEWS Tuesday, May 1, 1883 Died---Near Big Springs, Wednesday last, Thomas Maxwell, aged about 65 years. At Friendsville, Tuesday the 24th, Philip Myers. At Louisville, a few days since, after a brief illness, Elias Jennie Hitch; aged 16 months. Mr. James Ferguson and family and Mr. A.J. Gardner and family will leave here Wednesday for Crawfordsville, Washington County, Iowa. We are sorry to lose them, but wish them success in their new home. Monday, June 4, 1883 From Rockford---An old lady by the name of Jane Keller died this morning near Rockford. Married at the residence of Mr. John Henderson, at Rockford, June 1st, Mr. Marcus Brooks to Miss. Sarah J. Henderson, Rev. W.H. Hodge, officiating. Moses Elliott, Esq., a brief mention of whose death was made in our last issue, was born and raised and spent his life on the farm on which he died, four miles north of town. He served a considerable time as a justice of the peace for the 9th civil district, and had long been a ruling Elder in New Providence Church. He was about 69 years of age, and unmarried, he and his only surviving sister living together, and she and a brother, Dr. Elliott, of Mississippi, being now the sole survivors of their father's family. Esq. Elliott was a very quiet and orderly citizen and regarded as a good man, and his remains were deposited in the Clark graveyard on the 28th ult. His disease was consumption. On the night of the 30th ult., Ake Henry, Esq., departed this life at his home, in the vicinity of Clover Hill, aged about 53 years. Deceased had been declining for several months, and the prime cause of his death was attributed to a hurt he received a few years ago, but finally terminated in something like consumption. He was a worthy, upright citizen, and had served one term as a justice of the peace for the 6th civil district. His remains were laid away in the Carpenter burying ground after funeral services conducted by Rev. P.H. Henry, on the 31st ult. He leaves a widow and six children to mourn his departure. While in Athens last Thursday, W.G. Wilson, a citizen of the place, shot Horace Cass for the alleged seduction of his daughter. Wilson had a preliminary examination on Saturday, the 26th inst., and was discharged. Cass is a boy about twenty years of age, and was not seriously hurt. May 31, 1883. Obituary---On the morning of the 30th ult., at about 3 o'clock, Mrs. Ann E. Pope, a venerable and highly respected Christian lady, died at her home in this vicinity, of ulceration of the stomach, in the 74th year of her age. She was one of a family of eight sons and four daughters, of the late Col. James and Elizabeth White, of Abingdon, Va., and was born July 21st, 1810, and was married to the late Dr. Henry Hannum on the ----of June, 1827, and lived about two years in Abingdon, Va., and from thence removed to Florida, where they spent about five years, removing to this place in the year 1834, where they spent the remainder of their days. Dr. Hannum in his day was one of the leading citizens of the town, a prominent physician, and for many years a Justice of the Peace and a very efficient Chairman of the County Court, and was a man of great executive ability. He died on the 13th day of April, 1845, and his remains lie entombed in the old New Providence Presbyterian graveyard. His widow was again married on the 16th day of October, 1859, to Rev. Fielding Pope, who was for a number of years a professor in Maryville College, and also for several years President of the Masonic Female Institute at this place, and for a long time Pastor of Eusebia Presbyterian Church. He died at Lumpkin, Ga., on the 23rd of March, 1867. The deceased made a profession of religion in the year 1847, under the ministrations of the late Rev. Isaac Anderson D.D., and joined the New Providence Presbyterian Church; and when the Southern Presbyterian Church was organized she transferred her connection to that church, in the communion of which she spent the balance of her days. Of her father's family she leaves only four brothers surviving, viz: Thomas W. and Addison White, of Huntsville, Ala., and Milton H. and Newton K. White, of Abingdon, Va. Deceased leaves the following children surviving her, viz: Mrs. Eliza V.M. McGhee, Dr. J.W. Hannum, Capt. W.Y.C. Hannum and Mrs. W.M. Hood, of Maryville; and Frank H. Hannum, of Unicoi County, Tenn., Mrs. Rev. W.H. Vernor, a daughter, having recently died at Little Rock, Ark., and four children died in infancy. The deceased passed away in great calmness and composure, in the full assurance of a blissful immortality beyond the grave, with her surviving children all around her dying bed. When death had done its work, Rev. E.A. Ramsey, of Athens, her former Pastor, was summoned and hastened to the sorely bereaved household, and at 10 o'clock A.M., on the morning of the 30th ult., in the presence of the bereaved family and a large number of sympathizing friends, conducted a very impressive and appropriate funeral service, and the remains were then laid away in the old New Providence burying -ground, by the side of her long deceased husband, Dr. Hannum. And thus passed away one among our oldest and most highly esteemed citizens, and one for whose many acts of tender kindness, and devotion and benevolence to the poor and needy and afflicted, and others in need of sympathy and help, will be very tenderly cherished for many long years---not only by her own family and kindred (to whom she was greatly attached), but by a large circle beyond the pale of kindred ship, who have shared her sympathy and kindness and benefactions. Monday, June 11, 1883 From Jockey Creek---Two deaths recently. Mr. Solomon Miller, an esteemed citizen and Mr. John Downey, who died a happy death, professing in Christ the day before he died. Died---We regret to state that Rev. Spencer Henry, a worthy and well known minister of the M.E. Church, died at his home, 6 miles below town, on the night of the 3rd inst., in the 78th year of his age. A more extended obituary notice will appear next week. Died---At her home near Fayetteville, Tenn., on the morning of the 28th ult., Mrs. Dorthula McLain, a widow of the late Napoleon B. McClain, a former well known citizen of this county. Deceased was a daughter of the late Elias Hitch, of this county and leaves surviving her one sister, Mrs. William Goddard, Sr., and two brothers, Carrick Hitch, of Illinois, and Stephen K. Hitch, of this county; and the late Mrs. Isaac Anderson McCully was also a sister. She leaves also one son and two daughters. She was stricken with paralysis at the breakfast table and lingered until the next morning. She was a clever, good woman and leaves a large circle of friends and kindred in this county. Sudden Death---Yesterday morning about 10 o'clock William Ingram, an old and well known citizen of Maryville, died very suddenly from a stroke of apoplexy. He had lain down to take his usual nap, and Mrs. Ingram, who was in the kitchen, heard him making a peculiar noise and she went into the room and found him struggling but unable to speak. She gave the alarm and some of the neighbors came in, and everything was done for him but to no avail, and in a few moments he was dead. Dr. Cates was called in, and he pronounced it an apoplectic fit. The deceased was about 58 years of age, and was born in Jefferson County, where his mother now lives. The remains will be interred in the New Providence graveyard this morning. Second edition of the News, 4th inst. According to the census of 1880, Blount County had 15,935 inhabitants. Monday, June 18, 1883 Milly Ann Wear, a well known colored woman, died on the 30th ult., after a lingering illness. Died---At his home, in the vicinity of Maryville, on the morning of the 10th inst., Mr. William Hamilton Thompson, in the 58th year of his age. Deceased was a son of the late Robert Thompson, of Baker's Creek, and was born on the 24th day of November, 1826. He was a clever man and a good citizen and will be much missed in the community in which he lived. His remains were deposited in Magnolia Cemetery on the 11th inst. Funeral services by Rev. P.H. Henry. He leaves surviving a widow two daughters and two sons, one of the sons living in Omaha, Nebraska. A few weeks ago Mr. James Ferguson, an old and respectable citizen of the 10th District of this county, left with his family for Washington County, Iowa, where a son and daughter and other friends were living. The sad news now comes to us that on the 24th of February he was taken with a congestive chill and died in the 77th year of his age. He leaves a large number of kindred and friends in this county. Monday, June 25, 1883 Died---On the 20th inst., Annie E., little daughter of T. Rudolph and Mary Potter, aged 1 year and 3 months. "The fairest chosen by the reaper." Died---On the 19th inst., about 11 A.M., Walter Richardson, son of J.F. Richardson, of this place, aged 6 months. Died---On the 20th inst., Mrs. Brown, wife of L.B. Brown, of Miller's Cove. Mr. John Goddard, of Maryville, says that he saw a little girl last week who had six living grandmothers---a grandmother, a great grandmother and a great-great grandmother on each side of the house. The little girl is a daughter of Mr. Henry Miser, of Miser's Station, Tenn. A Man Drowned In Little River---Last Wednesday, about 2 o'clock P.M., John Simmerly, a young farmer who had been harvesting for J.M. French, was drowned while bathing in Little River, about two miles below Rockford. He swam out some ditance from the shore, and becoming cramped, he could not reach the bank and sank before assistance could reach him. The body was recovered. Monday, July 2, 1883 On the 19th ult., at his home at Porter Academy, Blount County, Tenn., David S. Johnson, in the 51st year of his age. The deceased was the youngest child of the late Bartly Johnson of Greene County, Tenn., in which county he was reared, and married to Miss. Jennie Dearston on the 7th of Nov., 1867, and where they lived four years after marriage; then moved to Monroe County, Tenn., where they remained five years, and from thence to the neighborhood where he died in Blount County, in Oct. of 1876. Mr. Johnson professed faith in Christ early in life and connected himself with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he proved to be a faithful and consistent member, and even on his death bed, while suffering excruciating pain, he expressed a willingness to go, said he had no fear of death. He had been suffering for years with a complication of chronic diseases which seemed to concentrate and settle in his bowels, causing speedy death. After devotional exercises by Rev. J.B. Seaton his remains were interred in the Logan's Chapel burying ground. He leaves a wife, a son (their only child), two brothers and three sisters, viz: William and George Johnson, Mrs. Col. A.J. Rhea, Mrs. Esq. J.A. Dyke and Mrs. Nettie McClelland, besides a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. Mr. Johnson was an affectionate husband and father, also a good and useful citizen, and will be greatly missed in the community in which he lived; but we feel amply assured that our loss is his eternal gain. The stricken family may rest assured they have the kindest sympathy of the entire community around them. Willie Russell, son of widow Russell, living 5 miles from town, got his leg broke below the knee by the rack on a wagon falling on him. Died---Of erysipelas, June 26, 1883, at 11 A.M., at his home, 4 1/2 miles from Maryville, Mr. Edward Coker, aged 34 years. Mr. Coker, it will be remembered, got his leg broke on a steamboat, near Calloways, on Little Tennessee River about 3 months ago. His leg was set soon after the accident, but the distance was so great and the conveyance so rough that it was displaced. It was set again, but it never knit together. So, after much suffering, he died, as stated above, and was buried at Laurel Bank, 4 1/2 miles from here, June 27, 1883. Requiescat in pace. The old citizens of Maryville and the community around, whose memory reaches back to 1835, 36, 37, will remember that Dr. William Spillman was at that day and time a prominent physician and leading citizen of the town. He married the eldest sister of the late Joseph Ambrister, and afterwards removed to Mississippi, where he has resided ever since and entered the ministry of the M.E. Church. After an absence of about 45 years, the Doctor is now on a visit to the home of his youth, in the 77th year of his age, and was in town a few days ago examining the few old landmarks that remained. The house where W.B. Scott, Sr., now resides and the house now occupied by David Henry, were objects of special interest, the former as being his dwelling and the latter his office whilst he resided here. He is yet in the enjoyment of a fair degree of vigor and health, and is editor of the " Mississippi Methodist," a paper published in the interest of the M.E. Church, South, at Enterprise, Miss. In the year 1835 the Doctor published a little work called "Simplified Anatomy," which can be found in many of the old libraries in the community. Mrs. Spillman died some years ago. Obituary---Rev. Spencer Henry, one of the twelve children born to Samuel and Elizabeth Henry, was born on Little River, in Blount County, Oct. 24, 1805, died at his home near Carpenter's Campground, June 3rd, 1883, in the 78th year of his age. After the death of his mother his father was married the second time; four children, two sons and two daughters, were the fruits of his last union, making sixteen brothers and sisters in all; all of whom, except Hon. John F. Henry, of Louisville, Tenn., Samuel Henry and Mrs. Hettie McClelland, of Murphy, N.C., of the first, and Rev. Hugh J. Henry, of Ellejoy, Tenn., and Mrs. Jesse Donaldson, of Kansas, of the last family of brothers and sisters, had preceeded him to the grave. Deceased made a profession of religion, and joined the M.E. Church in early life, being for several years the only professor of religion in his father's family. But not withstanding the discouragements he met from the time of his conversion until the day of his death, religion was the thing of chief concern with him. He rendered constant obedience to the Divine injunction, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," etc. We have often heard him tell how great a cross it was for him to endure the taunts and scoffings of his ungodly brothers and sisters and the colored slaves of his father's household, who often watched him to the place of secret prayer, which they, out of thoughtless contempt, denominated "Spence's Tabernacle." But he was afterwards so well repaid for all he endured, on account of his religion, by seeing his mother, sisters and several brothers converted to the religion which he practiced, no doubt the result of his pious example, as he was always regarded by the family as their counselor and foreman in all of their business enterprises, notwithstanding he had a brother and two sisters older than himself. He was married to Miss. Elizabeth Mayze, January 17, 1828, with whom he lived happily until his death, a period of more than fifty-four years. They had born to them ten children, four sons and six daughters, six of whom, a son and five daughters, were present at the funeral, together with their aged and bereaved mother, survive to mourn the loss of a loving and affectionate father and a kind and devoted husband. All of them live in Blount County except Mrs. A. Spotswood Henley, of Roane County, Tenn., and Mrs. Athene McGinty, of Stafford, Mo. Three sons, and his oldest daughter had gone before him to rest. It is worthy of remark that he was privileged to see all of his ten children make a public profession of Faith in Christ, which was long a constant source of joy to him. After his marriage he lived six or seven years on Little River and in Miller's Cove, in Blount County, then eleven years in Newport, Cocke County, and for thirty-five years previous to his death near Carpenter's Campground; and always, and everywhere, securing the confidence and affections of all of his well-disposed neighbors. After he made a profession of religion he was scrupulously conscientious about discharging his Christian duties, under all circumstances. He was licensed "as a preacher in Methodist Episcopal Church, in behalf of the Quarterly Meeting Conference for Little River Circuit, at Middle Creek Campground (Sevier County) August 6, 1832, by Rev. James Cummings, President," having walked to that place from his home in Miller's Cove, a distance of 18 or 20 miles, through the mountains, under an August sun. His license bears the mark of having been "renewed by order of Q.M. Conference," every year except two after they were granted until 1840, and on the first day of November, 1840, he was ordained a Deacon in the M.E. Church by Bishop Thomas A. Morris, at the Holston annual Conference at Knoxville." On the 13th day of October, 1844, he was ordained to the office of an Elder in the M.E. Church, by Bishop Edmond Stover Janes, at Holston annual Conference, at Reemes' Creek, N.C. Although he had always lived in the faithful exercise of his gifts, as a preacher, a deacon, an Elder, according to the authority granted him, by his Church, whenever opportunity had been given him---he having been all his life a farmer, except that the eleven years he lived in Newport he was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1868, when he beheld the great moral desolation which the late Civil War had spread throughout the bounds of Holston Conference, and realized that "the laborers were few," his great soul moved him to join Conference as a traveling minister, being then 63 years old. He continued to serve his Master's cause, to which his life had been devoted and for which he was willing to die, for six years in that capacity, until Conference superannuated him, because of his age and failing health. While he only received a common school education in early life, his thirst for knowledge and his taste for reading good books, led him to devote all of his spare moments to reading, until he had acquired a store of knowledge attained by but few men, even of scholarly pretensions. He was a "Free and Accepted Mason," of the highest order for a great many years. He was scrupulously careful about educating his conscience in right principles, and always particularly exact in following the dictates of his conscience. Unlike most every man in the south who has been raised by slave-holding parents and grown up with slaves and the institution of slavery, his quick sense of moral right pointed out to him the sinful abuses to which American slavery was subject before he had arrived at the age of maturity, and he afterwards abstemiously refused to endorse it or to expose himself to the temptation to do wrong, according to the custom of the times, by owning slaves, which, at one time in his life he might conveniently have done. Well does the writer remember, when about to volunteer in the Confederate army, his friendly remonstrances against the contemplated course, telling me that slavery was the real issue involved in the war, and that the institution was doomed, on account of the sinful abuses connected with it, and that he believed it to be a moral wrong to endeavor to perpetuate such abuses as would bring down the wrath of Almighty God upon the Nation practicing them. Such were some of his honest convictions of moral duty and his pertinacious adherence to those convictions against interest, education and all things else that might conflict with them. The last nine or ten years of his life was spent in patient physical suffering, as well as in his wonted anxiety for the promotion of his Master's cause, and for the prevalence of the right in every thing. He continued, when at all possible, his early custom of attending all the church courts of his own Church, attending the very last annual meeting of Holston Conference, in October, 1882, contrary to the wishes and remonstrances of his family, he being at the time in failing and feeble health---giving as a reason for his persistency in his determination to go, that it might be the last Conference he would ever have the opportunity of attending. Among the last acts of his life before taking his death-bed, was to visit a sick friend, neighbor and relative, to administer consolation to him, in a dying condition. The sickness of which he died was pneumonia, which was of only a few days duration; and although death came at last rather suddenly and unexpectedly to him and friends, he was not disappointed or found wanting in faith. When asked by a loving and stricken daughter how he felt in view of death, he calmly and firmly replied, "all is bright," and quietly and peacefully breathed out his life. So he lived, and so he died. Comment on such a statement of facts would be altogether superfluous, and extremely presumptious. On the 4th day of June, after an impressive funeral service conducted by his nephew, Rev. P.H. Henry, preacher in charge of Maryville Circuit, his remains were decently interred in the family burying ground at Carpenter's Campground, in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing friends and neighbors. Peace to his ashes. Surely the life,character and death of such a man is worthy the study and emulation of all the living. ---A Friend. Monday, July 9, 1883 Died---At the residence of her father, Mr. Peter Brakebill, near Porter Academy, Blount County, Tenn., June 29th, 1883, of consumption, Mrs. Harriet Walker, aged about 30 years. The deceased was the widow of Mr. Gilbert Walker, who departed this life some time ago. She leaves a little bright-eyed son of about nine summers and many other relatives and friends to mourn her loss. Dear Harriet now has gone, Her stay on earth was brief; But thoughts of her great happiness Should assuage your bitter grief. She was too pure to dwell below, God wished her for His own, And sent His guardian angel To bear her safely home, She is waiting in that glorious land, From pain and suffering free; With joyous, happy thoughts, Dear friends of meeting thee. And now dear friends cease to mourn, Your loss is dear Harriet's gain; She, today, dwells in her celestial home, A member of that happy angel band. L.B. Died---On Saturday, June 30, 1883, Thomas Duncan, a colored man, living 3 or 4 miles south of town, from the effects of over-heat in the harvest field. Married---In Columbus City, Iowa, on Thursday evening, the 28th ult., Mr. Robert F. McConnell to Miss. Cyntha Reiner, of that place. Mr. McConnell is the only son of the late William M. McConnell, formerly of this county, and a brother to our respected fellow-citizens, Messrs. James H. and John N. McConnell. Robert is a sprightly and energetic young man, and a member of one of the leading mercantile firms of Columbus Junction, Iowa, and his many kindred and friends in this country will be glad to hear of his matrimonial, as well as his financial, success. Mr. John C. Duncan, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Monroe County, and well-known to many of the citizens of this county, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Sarah A. Blair, in Columbus Junction, Iowa, on the 15th of June, 1883, in the 76th year of his age. Deceased was born in Greene County, January the 6th, 1808, and removed to Monroe County in 1827, was married in October, 1832, to Miss. Rebecca A. Johnston, who with their three children had preceded him to the spirit land. The family removed to Iowa about the year 1847. Deceased was the eldest of eleven children of his father's family, only three of whom survive. Both he and his wife were members of large and highly respected families, and many of their kindred and friends are scattered up and down in this country. Deceased died in the communion of the Reformed Church, of which he was a member. Monday, July 16, 1883 Died---In the 14th District, July 10th, a son of A.F. Henry; aged 3 years. Mr. Andrew Harris, from near Rockford, died Friday last at Montvale Springs. Rev. R.A. Hamill, of Nebraska, came into our midst 2 or 3 months ago on account of his failing health. His family came in on the 7th inst. Mr. Hamill was born and raised in this county. He has bought property in the western suburbs of Maryville where he will reside. He is to preach to Big Springs and Pistol Creek United Presbyterian Churches. Mr. W.C. Stanley, of Winchester, Ind., is in town and wants to rent or purchase property. His intentions are to permanently settle here. He is experiencing bad health. Monday, July 23, 1883 Mr. Samuel Keller, a well-known and worthy citizen of the 8th District, died on the morning of the 18th inst., aged about 60 years or upward. He was an excellent gun and blacksmith, a worthy member of the Baptist Church, and a good citizen who will be greatly missed in the community. Executions in Blount---Our good county of Blount has been blessed with having but a few men hung under the legal sentence. This question of hanging was up some time since, and the writer went to some of our oldest citizens and the records, and secured all the knowledge he could obtain on the public executions in Blount County. It appears that all told there has been three. The first was a man named Brison, who was convicted of stealing Negroes and counterfeiting. He was hung in the hollow below the present residence of Capt. Hannum, by Charles Donahoe who was then Sheriff. That was in 1812. He was guarded by a company of militia. It appears that he was a northern man and a stranger in the county, and some of our old men say that he was not really guilty of the charges for which he was hung, but that he fell in company with some parties who were guilty, and who made their escape, leaving the innocent man to pay the dreadful penalty of the law. The condemned man, knowing his innocence, was confident that he would be pardoned until the last moments, and when the time came he refused to stand up to have the rope adjusted, and the guards were forced to lift his body that the fatal noose might be fastened around his neck. The next execution by hanging was that of Henry Lunsford. He was tried and convicted of murder on the 7th day of August, 1828; the sentence was pronounced on the 9th of August, and the time of execution fixed for Friday, the 26th day of September, 1828. The jury was composed of the following names: Thomas Maxwell, David Delzell, William Whittenberger, Notley Warren, David Cupp, Thornton Jeffries, Joseph Collins, Robert Porter, Joseph Layman, John McKaskle, James Kirby, John S. Sullens. The murder was said to have been committed on a man named Thompson, on the place where James Crisp now lives. The old men tell us that there were extreme doubts as to Lunsford's guilt; indeed, some stoutly maintain that he was innocent of the murder. The circumstances were that at some kind of gathering the two men got into a quarrel, Lunsford struck the other a blow with a stick on the head. A few hours after he took very sick and soon died. He was said to have been suffering from epilepsy, or something of that kind, and many thought that it was the disease that took his life and that the blow had nothing to do with it. He was hung on the day fixed in the sentence, in the hollow in rear of the present residence of William Coning in southwest Maryville, a vast concourse of people witnessing the execution. Gen. William Wallace was the Sheriff and officiated at the execution. (Compiler's note---In the History of Blount County (1795-1955) by Inez Burns, she writes that Henry Lunsford killed Mr. Thompson at Norwood Inn, which stood on the crest of the hill west of Greenback Industries. Lunsford supposedly shot into the main room of the inn through a hole in the chimney that was there for ventilation. After the inn was abandoned, people said it was haunted.) The third and last execution was that of Charles, a slave belonging to a Mr. Cox. He was tried and convicted of murder on the 26th day of September, 1839, and sentenced to be hanged on Friday, the 25th day of October, 1839. The following names composed the jury before whom he was tried: John W. Prichard, John Henry, James Frow, William Donaldson, Samuel Steel, Philip Hammontree, Thomas Maxwell, William W. James, John Hays, John Carter, Henry Tilson, Jefferson Reagan. The circumstances of this murder were that David Humes and our fellow citizen, William J. Hackney, were sitting in a room engaged in playing a game of checkers. While thus engaged, a shot was fired through the window from the outside, killing Humes instantly. Charles was arrested, tried and convicted, and it is said after his conviction, not only confessed his crime but boasted of it, and said that he would do it again under the same circumstances. Charles' wife belonged to Humes and Charles claimed that Humes had treated her cruelly, was his excuse for perpetrating the crime. He was hung on the day fixed in the sentence, at the same place Henry Lunsford was executed. Gen. William Wallace being the Sheriff and officiating. The county is now 87 years old. May it be ten thousand years before there is another execution within her borders. W. Monday, August 20, 1883 On the 15th inst., in the Penitentiary, Sue Burton, a colored convict, stabbed Mollie Denwood, an other colored convict, to death with a pocket knife. Johnson City Enterprise: A few days since Mr. Pry, while in the woods near his house, two miles northeast of town, found a land terrapin with the inscription "Abram Hoss, 1821," plainly engraved upon its back. Mr. Hoss was one of the early settlers of Johnson City, and has been dead many years. The terrapin was found near the farm formerly owned by Mr. Hoss. Crazed By Religion---Elisha Helton, of Morristown, Tenn., passed through the city Sunday evening, under the charge of Messrs. J.E. Bell and J. Ragle, who were conveying him to the State Insane Asylum. Mr. Helton was considerably exercised some time since about his future welfare in another life, and been converted. Afterward he applied himself the study of the Bible with such persistency that his mind became unbalanced to such an extent that, like Abraham, he was willing to sacrifice his children as an offering to the Lord, and made several attempts to do so. The unfortunate man is now a raving maniac, but it is hoped by his friends that his mind may yet be restored to its normal condition. ---Nashville World. Runaway---On or about the 28th of July, 1883, my son Charley A. Hitch. I therefore order publication made in the county paper, that any person or persons hiring or harboring him without my consent may expect to suffer the penalty of the law. This August 13th, 1883. S.K. Hitch. Mr. Houston Hitch and Mrs. Lizzie George, widow of the late S.H. George, were married a few days ago, Sam F. Cowan officiating. Miss. Lizzie Tipton was suddenly called from her educational work at Black Mountain Station to her home in Tuckaleechee, to witness the death of her little sister. The deceased was the daughter of Col. W.H. Tipton. Dr. M.L. Currier and Miss. Linda Tedford were married on the morning of the 16th inst., and left on the 8 A.M. train for their new hom in the west. Mrs. J.M. Greer and daughter, Miss. Cora, accompanied Dr. M.L. Currier and bride to their home in Missouri, via the Louisville Exposition. Mrs. Cansler, an aged widow, living about three miles east of town, died on the 10th inst. The Cumberland Falls Station Murder---James Cliborn and two brothers, James and Joseph Randal, were murdered at Cumberland Falls Station, on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, on Sunday night, 12th inst., by Frank Stagle and an accomplice, name unknown. The men were employed in getting out cross-ties for the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, and were camping in the woods. They were killed while asleep, with an axe. Cliborn's head was split open and Randal's head almost severed from his body. After committing the deed they threw two of their victims over a cliff one hundred feet high; it is supposed that Cliborn would have shared the same fate had not the assassins been frightened away. Cliborn survived just long enough to reveal the name of one of the villains and explain where his murdered companions were, and died while pronouncing the name of the accomplice. The murdered men were hard working citizens, and the Randal brothers had the preceeding day drawn a large sum of money from the bank, which furnished the incentive to the premeditated assassination. Stagle was captured at Monticello, Ky., by Sheriff Sheppard of Pulaski County. His accomplice is still at large. It is thought that Judge Lynch will take charge of the captured assassin and relieve the slower processes of the law. Later: It is reported that Stagle was hung and his body riddled with bullets, at Somerset, Ky., by a mob.