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[September 14, 1877] -
KILLED. -- Mr. John Engleman, Sr., whose skull was crushed on Friday, by a rock thrown by a negro named Jerry Brown, died at the residence of Mr. J. M. Martin, on Saturday evening. The difficulty occurred near Highland, and originated in a jocular suggestion to the negro, as to the proper way to make his balking team pull. The negro made an insolent reply and just then succeeded in making his horses pull out. Mr. Engleman completed his business and rode on to town, but before proceeding far overtook the negro, to whom he spoke in regard to his insolence. The negro was very insulting and Mr. Engleman made a lick at him with his whip. The negro then jumped down and got a rock and threw at Mr. Engleman, who also got off his horse and attempted to get a rock, but while he was bending down the scamp again threw, this time with the force and precision of a bullet, the rock striking the old man a little back of the top of his skull crushing it in. As badly hurt as he was, Mr. Engleman succeeded in getting upon his horse but by the time he reached Mr. Martin's he had become so weak that he was forced to dismount and spend the night. He did not complain much, so the services of a physician was not called till next day, when Drs. Peyton, Craig and McRoberts were sent for, and examination immediately convinced them that the skull was badly crushed and was pressing on the brain. They knew that to relieve this pressure was the only hope to prolong his life but the operation had been postponed too long and Mr. Engleman died in the course of the evening. Meanwhile search was commenced for the negro, who, on learning the condition of his victim, had set out to make his escape; but the determination of those who had attempted his capture was too great for him and on the news being carried to Somerset and a reward offered, Messrs. S. T. Wolsey and J. F. Barker, set out up the railroad and succeeded in finding the negro in a shanty about two miles above town. They took him to town and next day brought him to this place and lodged him in jail; but there being grave apprehensions of summary punishment he waved an examining trial and was taken to the Junction and sent to the Jail at Richmond. The remains of Mr. Engleman were taken to his home and after a funeral sermon by the Rev. Mr. Smith, were consigned to the earth with the honors of Masonry, of which Order he was a consistent member. Deceased was about 70 years of age, and was well known throughout this country, and although possessed of peculiarities, was much liked and respected. His family have our warmest sympathy in their bereavement. [1]
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[September 14, 1877] -
The murder of John Engleman, Sr., which occurred last Friday evening, has perhaps been heard of by many of your readers. The particulars are about as follows: On the evening mentioned, Mr. Engleman and his son Sam went up on the knobs to Henderson Young's store for a load of boards. Sam drove and his father rode on horse-back. While in front of Young's store loading their wagon, Jerry Brown, a very black, short, heavy-set negro about twenty-five years of age, came along driving a two horse wagon. He stopped and went in the store. When he came out and tried to start, his horses, being young, did not move off gently, but "cut up" a little. Mr E made some humorous remark to the negro, who retorted in an insolent manner. Just then his horses started, and this ended the matter for a short time. Mr. E's wagon was loaded and ready to go, so he mounted his horse and rode on, leaving Sam to drive the wagon. In some 300 or 400 yards Mr E overtook the negro and an altercation ensued. The party from whom our information is obtained was not near enough to hear what was said, but he could see from the motions of the two that angry words were passing. Pretty soon the negro whirled off his horse and stooped to pick up a rock. Mr. E. did the same, and then each started to meet the other. Mr. E either threw his rock or attempted to throw it, and in doing so fell on his hands and knees, being a very week, old man, 70 years or so of age, and while in this posture the negro sprang on him and struck him in the back of the head with his rock, mashing in the skull and then pushing him over on the ground. This done, he mounted his horse and drove on. Jos. Baugh near whose house the affair occurred, saw the latter part of it and shouted at the negro to stop, being too far away to reach the spot in time to prevent the deed. He assisted Mr. E to rise and then, after a little while, to mount his horse, which he rode several miles -- as far as Mat. Martin's -- where, overcome by sickness produced by the blow, he was compelled to stop. He was there attended by physicians who did all they could, but without avail, for he died on Saturday evening. Jerry Brown, the murderer, made his escape, but was overtaken and arrested in Pulaski county, near the Cumberland River, and brought back here early Monday morning and lodged in jail in Richmond. We are not informed as to when his examining trial will take place. [2]---
[September 14, 1877] -
The negro, Jerry Brown, who killed Mr. John Engleman, Sr., was brought through Danville, last Monday, having been captured in Pulaski, the evening previous. He had got on the train at the [King's Mountain] Tunnel on Saturday night and got off at Somerset, and then returned some distance North on the railroad, where he was captured. He was evidently making off. He was badly frightened when we saw him. His appearance was not prepossessing. He has a villainous face, that indicated a brutal nature. He was a Virginia negro, and came to this country as a railroad laborer. He had recently been living with Dr. Barbour, near Hall's Gap. [3]---
[October 5, 1877] -
ACQUITTED. -- Geo. F. Russell was arrested last week and lodged in jail here on a charge of aiding and abetting in the murder of Mr. John Engleman. The case was postponed several times but was finally tried on Wednesday, when Russell was acquitted. The Commonwealth was ably represented in the case by Capt. W. G. Welch, and the defendant by Messrs. J. S. & R. W. Hocker, who did their duty nobly and well for him. [4]---
[October 26, 1877] -
The case of Jerry Brown for the killing of Mr. John Engleman is set for to-day. [5]---
[November 2, 1877] -
The case of Jerry Brown for the murder of John Engleman, was continued till next Court, and the Judge ordered him to be taken to Madison for safe keeping. [6]---
[March 22, 1878] -
CIRCUIT COURT.-- It is but little over three weeks till Circuit Court, and then comes the tug of war. There are five murder cases to be tried: Holmes, for the murder of Sheriff Napier; Saunders, for assassinating the colored preacher, Middleton; Morrison, for the murder of young Gooch, two years ago; Jerry Brown, colored, for the murder of Mr. John Engleman, and William Oakes, for assassinating 'Squire Petre. The prisoners at Louisville, and the one at Richmond, will be brought here, and we understand it is the intention of the authorities to employ a guard of a sufficient number that will serve during the whole trials. These will be armed with the needle guns and pistols, and will be on hand at all hours. We incline to the opinion that this will be a much better arrangement than for the Sheriff to have to hunt up a special guard for each day and night, and besides it will be infinitely more satisfactory to the public generally. Of course there is no great fears of any attempt at rescue, but forewarned is forearmed, and our officers are going to profit by the experience of the past. Affairs are in good shape in this county now, and it only remains for the Jurors in the coming Court to remember their oaths and punish the offenders to the full extent of the law. We have heard of a number of cases where Juries, through fear or favor, have acquitted criminals, or what is nearly as bad, hung, and allowed the murderer to go at large. Don't let this be repeated, but show the officers you are for a full execution of the laws by doing your own duty. []
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[April 19, 1878] -
CIRCUIT COURT.-- It is but little over three weeks till Circuit Court, and then comes the tug of war. There are five murder cases to be tried: Holmes, for the murder of Sheriff Napier; Saunders, for assassinating the colored preacher, Middleton; Morrison, for the murder of young Gooch, two years ago; Jerry Brown, colored, for the murder of Mr. John Engleman, and William Oakes, for assassinating 'Squire Petre. The prisoners at Louisville, and the one at Richmond, will be brought here, and we understand it is the intention of the authorities to employ a guard of a sufficient number that will serve during the whole trials. These will be armed with the needle guns and pistols, and will be on hand at all hours. We incline to the opinion that this will be a much better arrangement than for the Sheriff to have to hunt up a special guard for each day and night, and besides it will be infinitely more satisfactory to the public generally. Of course there is no great fears of any attempt at rescue, but forewarned is forearmed, and our officers are going to profit by the experience of the past. Affairs are in good shape in this county now, and it only remains for the Jurors in the coming Court to remember their oaths and punish the offenders to the full extent of the law. We have heard of a number of cases where Juries, through fear or favor, have acquitted criminals, or what is nearly as bad, hung, and allowed the murderer to go at large. Don't let this be repeated, but show the officers you are for a full execution of the laws by doing your own duty. []---
[April 19, 1878] -
There is considerable indignation among the officers here at the refusal of Governor McCreary to furnish a company of Militia, when he was requested to do so by them. His response that he would send troops if any emergency should arise. did not help the case much, as after the emergency had arisen there would be no time to wait for them to come from Frankfort and do any good here. There were much better grounds for Militia to be sent here than there were in the Grove Kennedy case. There then was only one man to try, against whom public sentiment was strong--here we have six murder cases. All have friends, and it happens that all who were friends of Kennedy; besides, legions of others, are interested in these cases. A negro, for the murder of Mr. John Engleman, a wealthy and influential citizen, and related to a majority of the people in the county, is on trial. His sons, relatives and friends feel very rightly a serious indignation against him, and there is considerable fear felt for his safety. A combination of the friends of the prisoners could be formed that would be a most formidable one, and one that strangers and well-drilled men could resist much better than men who know all the parties in the various cases. Besides the prisoners, the witnesses in some of the cases express great fears of their own safety, and a number of them are kept constantly under guard. We are not prepared to say that there will be any outburst, but there are sufficient grounds for the cautious to believe so, and, should any occur, and the majority of the law overthrown, Governor McCreary will stand in a most unenviable attitude. If troops were needed to guard Grove Kennedy, with one-tenth the number of friends and supporters that the prisoners here have, the Governor can give no reason whatever for not answering the call for assistance. [8]
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[April 19, 1878] -
The particulars of the killing of old man Engleman by Jerry Brown, colored, in September last, are so fresh in the minds of most of our readers that we regard it useless now to give them. This case was called on Wednesday about 10 o'clock, and after the examination of 55 persons a jury was obtained. The Commonwealth was represented by Judge Geo. Denny, Hon. W. O. Bradley, Messrs. J. S. & R. W. Hocker, and the prisoner by Judge M. C. Saufley and Col. T. P. Hill, the latter two appointed by the Court. The case was ably argued on both sides and submitted to the jury at 6 o'clock last evening. They did not agree on the first ballot so the Judge gave them into the custody of the Sheriff. They will probably present a verdict this morning. [9]
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[April 26, 1878] -
The Jury in the case of Jerry Brown, negro, for the killing of Mr. John Engleman, rendered a verdict of manslaughter on Friday morning last, and fixed his punishment at seven years in the Penitentiary. [10]
----------------- SOURCES ----------------
[1] Excerpt from "Local News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. September 14, 1877. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1877-09-14/ed-1/seq-3/
[2] Excerpt from "Lincoln County." Kentucky Advocate, Danville, KY. September 14, 1877. Page 2. Newspapers.com.
[3] Excerpt from "Local and Personal." Kentucky Advocate, Danville, KY. September 14, 1877. Page 3. Newspapers.com.
[4] Excerpt from "Local News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. October 5, 1877. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1877-10-05/ed-1/seq-3/
[5] Excerpt from "Circuit Court Notes." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. October 26, 1877. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1877-10-26/ed-1/seq-3/
[6] Excerpt from "Local News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. November 2, 1877. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1877-11-02/ed-1/seq-3/
[7] Excerpt from "Local News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. March 22, 1878. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1878-03-22/ed-1/seq-3/
[8] Excerpt from Column 1. The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. April 19, 1878. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1878-04-19/ed-1/seq-2/
[9] Excerpt from "[Lincoln] Circuit Court." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. April 19, 1878. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1878-04-19/ed-1/seq-3/
[10] Excerpt from "Circuit Court." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. April 26, 1878. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1878-04-26/ed-1/seq-3/
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