Tom Cain Kills Hiram Tucker, Lincoln, 1878

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[August 9, 1878] -

MAN SHOT. -- The Barbecue at Squirrel Springs, near Hall's Gap Station, last Saturday broke up in a drunken row, in which Hiram Tucker was shot and probably fatally wounded. It seems that Tucker, who is disposed when drinking to be boisterous and troublesome, got into a fight with Frank Hooker. Both used pocket knives, but no serious damage was done further than the carving up of the fighters' clothes. While the fight was in progress Tucker was shot from the bushes by a ball from a large, square barrel navy pistol, which entered the little back of the shoulder and ranging downward to the dorsal part of the spine, produced paralysis of the lower extremities. It is alleged that the shot was fired by Thomas Cain, and although a warrant for his arrest was issued last Sunday and placed in the hands of the officers, we have heard of no attempt to bring him to justice. Dr. Steele Bailey, the physician called upon  to attend Tucker, says that the wound is a most dangerous one, and will no doubt prove fatal. [1]

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[August 23, 1878] -

ACQUITTED. -- Frank Hooker was tried this week on a charge of shooting with intent to kill Hiram Tucker, and acquitted.



SLOWLY DYING. -- Mr. Hiram Tucker, who was shot so severely at Foster's Barbecue, is gradually sinking, and the end must soon come. We learn from those who have talked with him that he is perfectly resigned to his fate. His cowardly assassin, alleged to be Tom Cain, is still at large. [2]

Men on Drunken Spree Kill Two, Injure One, Boyle, 1873

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[January 24, 1873] -

Murder in Boyle County.

On last Saturday evening, about two o'clock, a most brutal murder was committed at Shelby City, in Boyle county, about eight miles west of this place, on the Knoxville Branch railroad, the particulars of which are about as follows: Two men, Bill Wilson and Clay Drye -- the former a notorious desperado and outlaw -- rode into Shelby City and stopped at the drug store of J. B. Williamson, where the proprietor and his two sons, John and Robert, were sitting around the stove engaged in social converse. The two men were exceedingly boisterous and insulting in their conduct, demanding liquor, which Mr. Williamson declined to sell them, saying that it would be a violation of law. Young Drye drew his pistol and threatened to kill elder Williamson, who grasped the weapon and a struggle ensued. J. B. Williamson attempted to assist his father, when Wilson drew his pistol and fired, the ball taking effect in the head of the young man. Drye, being released, also shot young Williamson. The two men were total strangers to the Williamsons. The first shot killed young Williamson instantly. It is reported that the two murderers also shot a negro man on the road from Shelby City to Hustonville, after leaving the store of Williamson. A party of men are out in pursuit of the murderers, and, it is hoped, will be able to secure their arrest. We have no sympathy for the dastardly villains who committed this brutal murder, but deeply sympathize with the bereaved friends of the murdered man and the relations of young Drye, who are among the most respectable families of our county. This is another case to swell the terrible docket against the traffic of ardent spirits. [1]

Shoemaker Murdered and Robbed Near Crab Orchard, Lincoln, 1879

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[January 17, 1879] -

MURDERED AND ROBBED. -- The body of George W. Sutton was found in the road four miles from Hall's Gap, near the house of Mr. John Warren, on Wednesday last, with a load of 10 d. nails in his head, evidently fired from an old musket. Ike Stapleton and a man named Ferrill, have been arrested for the murder, and it is said that Sutton's watch was found on one of them. Sutton is from Tazewell, Tenn., is a shoemaker by trade, but frequently goes out peddling liniment, and was on this errand when killed. He is spoken of as an unoffending and sober man. [1]

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[January 24, 1879] -

MURDERED AND ROBBED. -- When we went to press last week, John Ferrell and Ike Stapelton were under arrest for the murder of George W. Sutton, a shoemaker who, for the last four years has plied his trade at Crab Orchrd. A Coroner's verdict was held on Friday, and the facts elicited were enough to shock even those who are accustomed to deeds of violence and murder. It was proved that Sutton, Ferrell and Stapleton, spent the night at John Weaver's, some five or six miles distant from Crab Orchard, a frail damsel being the object of their visit. Next morning Sutton left and in a short time after his departure, Ferrell followed with an old musket, ostensibly to hunt rabbits. At first, he went in an opposite direction, but soon circled around and stepping in Sutton's tracks, came up behind him and emptied a load of shot and broken nails into his head, tearing a hole nearly two inches in diameter. The pockets were then rifled and left turned wrong side out, and the body dragged from the road to the woods and covered up in snow behind a log. A short time after the shot was heard, Ferrell returned to Weaver's, and in answer to an inquiry in regard to the blood on his coat, said that it came from a rabbit he had killed, and proceeded to wash out the stains. As there was no direct proof of the guilt of Stapleton, he was introduced as a witness and swore that the Friday previous, Ferrell had told him that he intended to kill Sutton for his watch and money, and that he had borrowed not quite a load of squirrel and bird shot from him (both kinds of shot were found in Sutton's head.) Ferrell was held without bail and lodged in jail here, Saturday. The indignation against him at Crab Orchard, was very great, and threats of lynching were loudly made. It is one of the most brutal murders that ever cursed this blood-stained county, and the fiend being a poor man, is sure to pay the penalty for it with his neck, a death far too good for the perpetrator of so foul a crime. In jail, Ferrell acts like a wild man, pacing his cell ever and amen, apparently fearful that a moment's rest would be too much for his over-burdened conscience. He protests his innocence, and says that there is a conspiracy against him, but his story is so badly constructed as to leave but little doubt that he is not wrongfully accused. He claims that he is a native of Lee county, Virginia, and that Sutton was also from that county, but both have since lived in Tazewell, Tennessee. In appearance, Ferrill is not the looking person that one would think capable of such a deed, being a young man of pasably fair exterior, but the facts and the evidence seem too direct even to admit a doubt of his guilt.

LATER. -- Ferrell has confessed to the murder, but says he had an accomplice who got the money, $250 in cash and two checks of $70 and $80. The watch taken from the body was found by Sim Roberson, Deputy Sheriff, at a point designated by Ferrell. [2]

Articles and Letters before/after The Battle of Mill Springs, Pulaski, 1862

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Updated 7/19/2017 with one additional source (#11).


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[December 24-26, 1861] -

Army Correspondence.

From the 17th Regiment.

The following extracts from letters of Captain Stinchcomb to his wife, we publish for the benefit of those who have friends or relatives in the 17th Regiment.

CAMP NEAR SOMERSET, KY., }
December 24, 1861. }

The Health of the Fairfield Boys.

Henry Laymen, Aston P. Berry and John W. Champman are so bad that Colonel Conneli directed us this morning to give them liberty to go home, while H. C. Hart, Daniel Johnson, Joseph Lockart, Abraham Ressley, John Dogan, John L. Elder, Elisha Hall, Wm. Barr, are all in the hospital. In addition, Thomas and Charles Shrieves are both taking medicine. Jams Hindman, Edward Thompson, William C. Holiday, Sargent Sears, George W. Spittler, Eli Tipple, John E. Sane, Joseph Delong and Enoch Berry, are sick at quarters. Many of the above, though sick, are able to perform duty. I will write to you each day in regard to the condition of the sick, and you will endeavor to inform the relations, by sending them word directly, or by publishing the above in the Gazette.

(The friends and relatives of the above named can learn all about their health, by calling upon Mrs. Stinchcomb as she will get letters every day from Captain Stinchcomb. -- Eds.)

Dec. 26, 1861. -- CHRISTMAS IN CAMP.

Christmas is over and we had quite a fine "Turkey and Chicken" dinner. We had 29 Turkeys and 28 Chicken. We invited all the Field Officers and Captains, and nearly all the Lieutenants, and any number of the boys. There were about 300 at our dinner, and we had plenty although at 10 o'clock we were informed that we had neither bread nor meal to bake bread of, but as soon as we learned this fact, Lieutenant Ashbrook, Sargent Ruffner, Corporal McNaughten and myself, and several others started out on a foraging expedition to the country to buy bread and meal. We soon found two and a half bushels of corn meal, and by half past 12 o'clock we had so much good corn bread as 500 men could eat. Enoch Shumaker baked three pones on the stove. I got a flat or "Dutch" oven and baked five Virginia Corn cakes -- which were pronounced by good judges, excellent. The balance we hired the negroes in Somerset to bake for us.

After dinner Lieutenant Colonel More, Captain Philips of the First Tennessee, Lieutenant Graten of the 38th, Captain Jackson and Captain Frye of the 31st Ohio, and Captain Fullerton, each made short appropriate speeches, filling the boys with enthusiasm. We then sung songs and adjourned with three cheers.

I never saw a Christmas pass over with so little drunkenness as there was in the 17th Regiment. I saw none drunk, although I learned there were three who got "How come you so." The boys were allowed to have as much liquor as they wanted, under a promise from all that none would get drunk, and I am proud to say that so far as the 17th is concerned, with the exception above, their promise was strictly and faithfully kept.

We now begin to feel the effects of the hard march from London and the exposure of the boys, in the shape of death, the 17th has lost seven by death and will lose a number more, probably 50 to 75 are dangerously sick.

It is enough to sicken the stoutest heart to hear the boys cough when awakened in the night and called into line. There will be, probably, one-half of the Regiment coughing at the same time, yet each trying to restrain his cough. We hope to be able to rest here, or at some point, a sufficient length of time, that the men of the Regiment may recruit their health.

The men have improved in health rapidly since we have been here. As to myself I have never had better health than at present. About the time of our exposure I caught a severe cold, and at one time I thought I would be sick, but by keeping close to quarters and using stews and hoarhound tea, I soon got rid of my cold, and in a short time found myself in good health.

THE PROSPECT OF A FIGHT.

I don't look for a fight now, unless, we attack the enemy, which will not be done, unless, we get force enough to make our victory sure. In which event you will hear of a victory, such as General Pope is said to have achieved in Missouri. I am not at liberty to give the details or places, but I think you may prepare yourself to hear of a battle and a victory before long, not a thousand miles from Gen. Schoephff's column.

HEALTH.

Noah Sites is apparently better this morning, though he is so low that it is difficult to ascertain his true condition. He is the only one of my boys that is dangerous, who are at present in our camp.

Frank Shoemaker of Company A, accidently shot off his right fore finger this morning. Company C, buried another of the boys this morning. He took colic and the Surgeon sent him a vial of laudanum to take in doses, and his comrade gave him too much, and from the effect of it he died yesterday morning. I find that nearly every death that has occurred has been the result of carelessness to some extent, either in eating too much or exposure unnecessarily.

JAMES W. STINCHCOMB. [1]

Man Killed Over Game of Cards, Pulaski, 1883

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[April 20, 1883] -

A negro named Lewis McIntyre was shot at Beaver Creek mines Tuesday evening by a negro who had recently arrived there from Chattanooga. McIntyre died Tuesday night from the effects of the shot. His slayer made his escape, and a large party of men started out to search for him, but up to the present writing he has not been apprehended. [1]

Beck v. Ingram, Cumberland/Wayne, 1866

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Beck vs. Ingram.

COURT OF APPEALS OF KENTUCKY

64 Ky. 355; 1866 Ky. LEXIS 151; 1 Bush 355

February 25, 1866, Decided

PRIOR HISTORY:  [**1]  APPEAL FROM CUMBERLAND CIRCUIT COURT. 

DISPOSITION: Judgment affirmed. 

COUNSEL: P. H. LESLIE, For Appellant,

CITED--

13 Howard, 135.

1 Duvall, 182.

Civil Code, sec. 351.

JOHN S. VANWINKLE, For Appellee,

CITED--

1 Duvall, 312; Spalding vs. Bull.

1 Duvall, 59; Gregory vs. McFarland.

1 Cowp., 180; Moslyn vs. Fobugas.

13 Howard, 135-6; Mitchell vs. Harmony.

1 Duvall, 182; Commonwealth vs. Holland.

Sess. Acts, Ky. Legislature, 1863-4, p. 116.

MSS. Opin., Dec. 14, 1865; Bronson vs. Green.

4 Metcalfe, 385; Norris vs. Donaphan.

8 Cranch, 110; Brewer vs. United States.

MSS. Opin., Dec. 14, 1866; Farmer vs. Lewis.

Wheaton, 596. 

JUDGES: JUDGE ROBERTSON. 

OPINION BY: ROBERTSON 

OPINION

 [*356]  JUDGE ROBERTSON DELIVERED THE OPINION OF THE COURT.

The appellee, a citizen of Kentucky, while on his way to his home in Wayne county with a lot of mules bought for his own use, was robbed of them by the appellant, in Tennessee, near the Kentucky line, and brought this action to recover damages for the trespass.

The appellant, in his answer, alleged that, as a Confederate captain he took the mules for the use of the Confederacy; and also, because [**2]  he was apprehensive that they were in transitu to the Federal army and for its use. A judgment for reasonable damages was rendered against him, and we see no cause for reversing it, because there was no ground to apprehend that the destination of the mules was contraband; and more materially because, at the time of the seizure and conversion the appellant was a paroled prisoner of the United States, denuded of all belligerent rights of capture, and had neither order nor other authority to take the mules for Confederate use.

Wherefore, the judgment is affirmed.

Mob Kills Defendants While Court In Session, 1912

Mob In Court Shoots Three Negroes Dead 

Prisoners on Trial for Murder Riddled with Bullets as Testimony Is Given 

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. Feb. 19.--Three negroes were shot dead in the County Court-Room here this afternoon.  They were charged with the murder of a railroad detective several days ago, near Bellbuckle, Tenn. 

As evidence in the preliminary trial accumulated against the three blacks, the anger of spectators in the courtroom flamed out.  Simultaneously the negroes fell dead as a hail of bullets rained in on them from all parts of the court-room. 

S.V. Everson, a special officer of the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railroad, was the man murdered by the negroes.

Bible Printing in the Confederate States

The following short article shows not only how little book printing was done in the South prior to the war, it also shows how slow news was getting out to the West.  This article was printed in October, referencing a July issue of a Tennessee paper.  For reference, the Pony Express operated from 1860 to 1861, and actually shut down in late October of 1861.

From the San Francisco Bulletin on October 7, 1861: 

Short of Bibles.--The Tennessee Baptist of July 13th contains a call for help to supply the Southern army with Bibles and Testaments.  It says:  The startling fact comes to light that there is not a set of stereotype plates for printing even the new Testament in the whole South; nor a set of plates for the Bible.  This fully illustrates how entirely the South has depended upon the North.  The Baptist calls for subscribers to an edition of the Testament, to be issued at the rate of $20 a hundred.  In New York the same Testament can be bought for $6 a hundred.

World War II U.S. Ration Books One Through Four

Making an exception to my pre-1922 only rule, here are some high quality scans of U.S. World War II ration books.  I forgot to schedule a Thanksgiving post, so after the rabid consumerism many Americans display on Black Friday weekend (and throughout the Christmas shopping season), I think this topic is, in a way, highly relevant to the holidays.  As it says on many of the below pages:

"If you don't need it, don't buy it."

If only.

Rationing for the War in the United States began in 1942 and ended in 1946.   Ration Book One was issued in May 1942, Book Two in January 1943, Book Three in October of 1943, and Book Four towards the end of 1943.

These books were not the only rationing coupons issued by the U.S. government.  For more information and pictures about WWII rationing in the United States, please see this wonderful web page.

The below ration books belonged to Maude Elizabeth Haas Williams, of whom I shared a photograph in an earlier post.  As you can see from some of the ration books, she lists her age as 35.  Maude's husband Clarence did not serve in the war due to his age (52 according to his Book Two).  In late 1942, Clarence and Maude had a son.  Did you know they issued ration books to children, including infants? Their son John has one at age 2 months.

All four books are represented here for Maude as well as the cover of Book Two for her son John.  Stamps from Book One and Book Three are shown (the other two are empty).  Also included is a clipping from a newspaper of the Book Four Rationing Calendar.  This is the only item I have transcribed below.  

Click to enlarge.