Just keep digging, Bobbye, and you might find a connection!!! Melba Clark ----- Original Message ----- From: <Hjwwilson@aol.com> > Bobwanda, I'm not from Blount County have no known relatives from there > and > still I enjoy the stories.

bobwonda you asked <<<< Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages?>>>> Just wanted to let you know that I, too, enjoy your articles. Please keep them coming. I also enjoy the shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages so I hope that the members of the list will keep them coming, too. Melba Clark

Bobwanda, I'm not from Blount County have no known relatives from there and still I enjoy the stories. You do a good job. Bobbye Wislon Wade, Walker County Gen. Soc.

Hi Terry, I doubt there is a connection. My only Isabella MUSGROVE is the daughter of William Anderson MUSGROVE and Mary Frances Amelia HARRIS. Aunt Belle was born in Fayette Co. AL and never married. She is the daughter of my g-g-grandparents. Thank you for writing to me. Monya Fayette Co. AL list manager ASTON surname list manager MUSGROVE surname list manager THOMPSON surname list manager Researching: ANDERSON, ANDERSEN (Norway), ASTON, BISHOP, DODSON, FYLLINGSNES (Norway), GRANT, HARRIS, HOWELL, JORDAN, LESLIE, McDILL, McDONALD, MILLIGAN, MORTON, MUSGROVE, OWEN, PEDEN, SOUTH, STANFORD, THOMPSON, WEAVER and WEBSTER On Sep 30, 2006, at 7:13 PM, Terry Jackson wrote: > Monya, > I've found an Isabella Musgrove on the 1930 census that seems to have a > connection to the William R. & Mary E. Wilcutt family in Cullman, > Cullman Co. Do you know anything about her? What the connection would > be? > > Terry > > > > Monya Havekost wrote: > >> All of this is fascinating reading, even if it doesn't apply to one's >> direct family line -- which is true in my case. It certainly tells the >> story of what was happening during a certain time period. I applaud >> those who are willing to take the time to transcribe this history and >> share it with others. One can't truly understand family history >> without >> knowing the context in which it happened. >> >> Again, thank you to those who take the time to share so generously. >> >> Best regards, >> >> Monya >> >> MUSGROVE FAMILY REUNION, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, 11 a.m., Musgrove >> Chapel United Methodist Church, Winfield, AL. >> >> All allied families are invited including: ASTON, AYCOCK, BISHOP, >> BLACK, DICKINSON, DODSON, FLYNN, HARRIS, HOWELL, McDONALD, MORTON, >> MOSS, OTT, PATTERSON, PEDEN, SANDLIN, SCRUGGS, SMITH, SOUTH, STANFORD, >> THOMPSON, TUTWILER, WEBSTER, WEEKS, WHITE. >> >> On Sep 30, 2006, at 5:41 PM, Jimmy Thomason wrote: >> >> >> >>> I love 'em. I hope they keep 'em comin'. Still looking for anything >>> related >>> to my family. Jimmy >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Billie Shaffer" <billi70@cebridge.net> >>> To: <alblount@rootsweb.com> >>> Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 3:17 PM >>> Subject: Re: [ALBLOUNT] The Murder of Nancy Vaughn >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> I love it. Blount County history is intensely interesting. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy >>>> these >>>> rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your >>>> email >>>> boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages? >>>> >>>> >>>> ------------------------------- >>>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>>> ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without >>>> the >>>> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> >> >> >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

The Blount County News-Dispatch, 29 Jul 1897 Killing At Nectar. A reported reached here on Saturday, that Deputy Sheriff W.D. Tidmore had shot and killed John Thomason at Nectar. We have not learned the particulars. The following is the report of the Coroner's jury: "We the jury find that John Thomason came to his death by being shot with a gun or pistol in the hands of W.D. Tidmore, on the night of July 22d, 1897." The Southern Democrat 29 Jul 1897 News reached here on Saturday that Deputy Sheriff W.D. Tidmore had shot and killed John Thomason at Tidmore, in this county. Sheriff Sanders went to the scene Saturday and found the report correct. The report is that Thomason was under arrest for vagrancy and made an effort to escape and was shot down by the Deputy. There was no eye witness to the shooting but a Mr. Man was near by and heard the report of the gun and went to the scene of the shooting and found no one present but Tidmore and the dying man. Tidmore has left, but it is believed that he will return. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 5 Aug 1897 The killing of John Thomason by deputy Sheriff Wm. Tidmore who had had him under arrest charged with a misdemeanor was a deplorable affair. Tidmore was of a quiet and peaceable disposition and not the kind of man to shoot without provocation. He left immediately after the shooting and no one knows his version of the affair, but his friends think that in the darkness, supposing his prisoner was attempting to escape he fired his pistol to frighten him into submission and accidentally hit him. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 12 Aug 1897 Commissioner's Court-Synopsis of the Proceedings. Bain Brothers were allowed $3.40 for goods for burial of Millie Smith, a pauper. F.F. Wynn and J.E. Green were allowed $6 for clothes and coffin for John Thomason. J.A. Brice was allowed $9.69 for goods to bury Mrs. Stanford, a pauper. The Southern Democrat, 19 Aug 1897 It is reported that Deputy Sheriff Tidmore, who is charged with killing John Thomason near Nectar a few weeks ago, will surrender to the Sheriff in a few days and stand his trial. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 19 Aug 1897 Deputy Sheriff W.D. Tidmore, who is charged with the killing of John Thomason at Nectar, has surrendered to the authorities. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 26 Aug 1897 William Tidmore, chief deputy in the Eastern Division for Sheriff Sanders, surrendered to the officers last week and had his preliminary hearing before 'Squire Manson Walker on the charge of killing John Thomason while the latter a prisoner in Tidmore's custody under a charge of vagrancy. Tidmore was released under $2,000 bail. Thomason leaves a wife and children. Notes: No other newpaper notes were found regarding the death of John Thomason. Blount County marriage records show where John Thomas married Sarah E. Best on 3 Jan 1892. No monuments were found in Blount County for John Thomason. The widowed Sarah Thomason was enumerated on the 1900 Blount County Federal census. She was born Nov 1873, with Albert J. (Nov 1892), Yaner M. (Mar 1895), and James O. (Dec 1896). Albert J. Thomas married Ida; they are buried in the High Rock Methodist Cemetery. William D. Tidmore married Frances O. Henderson 16 Jan 1879 in Blount County. William was born 3 Dec 1856 and died 9 May 1944; Francis (Fannie) was born 28 May 1862 and died 23 Apr 1938. They are buried in the cemetery at Nectar. William was son of Maximillian Tidmore, who at one time wasCaptain of Company C of the 28th Alabama Infantry, CSA.

I agree with all I love the reading about our ancestors on the Blount County, Alabama. Thanks to all. Looking forward to reading more. I always look forward to looking at my mail just for them. Mary Cathleene Porter Brown Texas Surnames: Head, Blakely, Dennis, Murphree,Brown, Porter,ETC......

I enjoy them, too, thanks! Toni +++ Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages?

All of this is fascinating reading, even if it doesn't apply to one's direct family line -- which is true in my case. It certainly tells the story of what was happening during a certain time period. I applaud those who are willing to take the time to transcribe this history and share it with others. One can't truly understand family history without knowing the context in which it happened. Again, thank you to those who take the time to share so generously. Best regards, Monya MUSGROVE FAMILY REUNION, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, 11 a.m., Musgrove Chapel United Methodist Church, Winfield, AL. All allied families are invited including: ASTON, AYCOCK, BISHOP, BLACK, DICKINSON, DODSON, FLYNN, HARRIS, HOWELL, McDONALD, MORTON, MOSS, OTT, PATTERSON, PEDEN, SANDLIN, SCRUGGS, SMITH, SOUTH, STANFORD, THOMPSON, TUTWILER, WEBSTER, WEEKS, WHITE. On Sep 30, 2006, at 5:41 PM, Jimmy Thomason wrote: > I love 'em. I hope they keep 'em comin'. Still looking for anything > related > to my family. Jimmy > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Billie Shaffer" <billi70@cebridge.net> > To: <alblount@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 3:17 PM > Subject: Re: [ALBLOUNT] The Murder of Nancy Vaughn > > >> I love it. Blount County history is intensely interesting. >> >> >> >> Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these >> rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your >> email >> boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages? >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Yes, I enjoy the in depth, informational posts. If I don't find an interest in a post, I can skip it or delete it.....whether it's long or short. Here's another Bount County mysterious murder case concerning my gggrand uncle. Newspaper item in LIVINGSTON JOURNAL, SUMTER CO., ALABAMA, DEC. 3, 1875 - "Henderson Ketchum of Blountsville died on the 23rd of wounds inflicted by Frank Gables." Frank Gables first appears in official records on March 10, 1876 on a charge of Manslaughter (pg. 94). The case was continued several times (pg. 110, 123, 139) until it was nolle prosequi (charges dropped) in January, 1878. Unable to find any specifics at all about the circumstances surrounding the crime. At 07:33 AM 9/30/2006 -0600, bobwonda@hiwaay.net wrote: >Some months ago, Terry Jackson posted information where Etta Alldredge, >daughter of Sheriff E.C. Alldredge, was involved in assisting prisoners >escape from the Oneonta jail. Terry's fascinating contribution, which was >reported in the Atlanta Constitution, concentrated on the alledged love >affair between Etta and one of the prisoners. However, the incidents >leading up to the jail break, and its subsequent resolution beg to be >related. The event which landed one of the participants in jail was the >murder of Nancy Vaughn... > >The Southern Democrat, 1 May 1902 > >Brutal Murder Committed. Mrs. Nancy Vaughn Killed Almost Within the Shadow >of the Court House. Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, an aged woman was brutally murdered >in a little cabin just outside the city limits of Oneonta last Thursday or >the night before. Her dead body was found late Thursday afternoon by her >daughter who reported the matter to neighbors. A.J. Ketchum, acting as >Coroner, organized a jury at once and began an investigation. Many >witnesses have been before the jury but up to the time of going to press no >verdict has been rendered. > >The old woman lived alone and there was no one left to tell the story of >the horrible deed. There are many theories as to the cause of the murder >and as many reports as to the evidence that is being given in, but this >much seems to be undisputed: She was murdered between 6 o'clock Wednesday >evening and 6 o'clock Thursday evening. That she came to her death from a >blow on the head with an ax or hatchet which was found in the cabin. > >The coroner's jury began its investigation, it seemed without any clue to >the murder but matters slowly developed, until a strong chain of evidence >is being established. Louis Gurley, a white boy about 21 years of age, has >been arrested on suspicion. It is stated that Gurley was seen to go to the >cabin Thursday afternoon and that blood stains have been found upon the >clothing that he wore on that day. He denies having any knowledge of the >matter. It is believed by some that a number of others are implicated and >that other arrests will follow. > >This is the first murder ever committed in or near Oneonta and the people >are greatly aroused over it and it is to be hoped the perpetrator of the >horrible deed will be brought to justice. > >The Southern Democrat, 8 May 1902 > >The Coroners Jury investigating the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn arrived at >a verdict last Thursday morning fixing the crime upon Louis Gurley and his >has been indicted by the grand jury, and a special jury has been drawn to >try the case today (Thursday). > >The Southern Democrat, 15 May 1902 > >The trial of Louis Gurley for the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, which was >set for last Thursday, was continued until next court, the purpose of the >postponement being to allow the State chemist to analyze the blood stains >found on Gurley's clothing. > >The Southern Democrat, 6 Nov 1902 > >The case of Louis Gurley, charged with the murder of Mrs. Vaughn has been >set for Thursday of this week in the Circuit Court. A special jury has >been summoned. > >The Southern Democrat, 20 Nov 1902 > >Three prisoners escaped from jail Sunday afternoon. When ordered to go >into their cells they refused and when Deputy Sheriff Bryson attempted to >force them to obey they overpowered him and escaped. The deputy fired >three shots at them but none took effect. One of the prisoners, Mayburn >Murphree was re-captured by Ex-Sheriff Sanders as he was making his way to >the mountain. The two who escaped are negroes and are charged with >stealing cotton. They had been in jail only about one week. Louis Gurley, >the other prisoner, made no attempt to escape. > >The Blount County News-Dispatch, 8 Jan 1903 > >[Front Page] Her Lover's Jailer. Some time during Monday night, Miss >Etta Alldredge, daughter of the sheriff at Oneonta, unlocked the jail and >liberated two prisoners, Louis Gurley, charged with murder, and Mayburn >Murphree, held on sentence for adultery. > >Miss Etta accompanied the prisoners in their flight, or at least one of >them. The cause of her act is supposed to be love of Mayburn Murphree, who >is an exceedingly handsome young man of good address. For some months he >has been an inmate of the jail, and it has been noticed that the daughter >of the sheriff often lingered at the bars to talk to him. > >Sheriff's Daughter Liberates Two Prisoners. Sometime during Sunday night, >Miss Etta Alldredge, daughter of the sheriff of this county, unlocked the >jail and liberated two prisoners, Louis Gurley, charged with murder, and >Mayburn Murphree, held on sentence for adultery. > >Miss Etta, accompanied the prisoners in their flight, or at least one of >them. The cause of her act is supposed to be the love of Mayburn Murphree. >For some months he had been an inmate of the jail and it has been noticed >that the comely daughter of the sheriff often lingered at the bars to talk >to him. > >Notice to apprehend the fugitives has been telegraphed to the various towns >and cities of Alabama, Deputy sheriffs are scouring the county. > >Louis Gurley, charged with murder, who was the beneficiary of the sheriff's >daughter's love for Murphree, is accused of one of the most brutal crimes >in the history of Oneonta. About a year ago the dead body of an aged lady, >Mrs. Vaughn, was found at her residence one morning weltering in its own >blood. The head had been scalped and the body bore evidence of brutal >mutilation, charged with her murder, Gurley was arrested and his case is >pending trial. > >Mayburn Murphree, the attractive prisoner, who seems to have bewitched the >fair keeper of the jail, had already been convicted and fined $750. His >case was appealed to the Supreme Court where it is now pending. > >The Southern Democrat, 8 Jan 1903 > >Prisoner's Escape. Sheriff's Daughter Goes With Them. Sometime Sunday >night, two of the prisoners, Louis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree, escaped >from the County Jail, the Sheriff's daughter, Miss Etta Alldredge, >disappearing at the same time. > >Sheriff Alldredge was not at home at the time and it is supposed that the >girl secured the keys, released the prisoners and then eloped with them. >Although the search commenced before day Monday morning but little has been >heard from them. All the information obtained about the plan of escape is >from a negro prisoner who says they left in the early part of the night and >that the girl and Murphree had a conversation a short time before they >left, that Murphree, hearing a buggy drive up, told him that his friends >had come, and that is all the negro will tell. > >Miss Alldredge is about 22 years of age and has been in the habit of >carrying the prisoners' meals to them. On the night of the escape she >retired as usual, and the family never suspecting what was soon to take >place, were soon asleep. Then it was that the plans previously arranged >were quietly executed. > >There were four prisoners in the jail but Gurley and Murphree were the only >ones allowed their liberty. Murphree was tried at the last term of the >Circuit Court on a charge of seduction and was given a heavy sentence. His >attorney gave notice of an appeal to the Supreme Court but no bill of >exceptions had been filed. Gurley is under indictment of the murder of >Mrs. Nancy Vaughn which occurred about eight months ago. > >The Sheriff has offered a reward of $50 for the arrest and detention of >Murphree and has sent circulars and telegrams all over the country. A >thorough search of the country is being made. > >The Southern Democrat, 15 Jan 1903 > >Caleb Murphree has been placed in jail here charged with aiding Lewis >Gurley and Mayburn Murphree in escaping from the jail on Jan. 4th. His >preliminary trial is set for next Monday. > >Escaped Prisoners Still At Large. There are still few new developments in >the jail tragedy. No trace of Gurley has been found. Murphree and Miss >Alldredge were traced through Cullman County and were last seen in Franklin >County, Alabama, driving a road horse to open buggy, going West. Horse had >about given out. This was Jan. 8th. >It is believed that they will either stop and rest in North East >Mississippi or will take train there for Dallas, Texas, where Murphree's >father lives. > >The following is a description of the missing parties: > >Mayburn Murphree-Medium dark complexion, small black eyes, black curly >hair-usually wore it long and parted in middle-has small black mustache and >was continually twisting it while talking, round face and is a little round >shouldered. Height 5 ft. 7 in., weight 145 pounds, wears No. 7 shoe. He is >a gambler, drinks whiskey freely, does not use tobacco and will not work. >Education poor. Writes poor hand but puts on better appearance that >education would indicate. > >Miss Etta Alldredge-Height about 5 ft. 5 in., weight 140 pounds, dark hair, >large blue eyes, large face, shoulders a little round and stooped. She >wears No. 6 shoe, age 22 years and has several small gold fillings in upper >front teeth. >Lewis Gurley-complexion fair, eyes light blue, hair very light, eyebrows >and eyelashes, white, had a short chin, white mustache. Height 6 ft. 2 in. >Has a peculiar expression about the mouth. Scowling downcast look and when >talking to him, he looks at you sidewise, as if looking downwards and out >of the corner of his eyes at the same time. Age about 21 years, weighing >about 160 or 170 pounds. Stands erect, has no education and his language is >rustic. Has been in jail 9 or 10 months and is somewhat bleached. > >The Sheriff will consider it a favor if other papers will copy this >description. > >The Southern Democrat, 22 Jan 1903 > >Sheriff's Daughter Found. Miss Etta Alldredge, who is alleged to have >released Mayburn Murphree and Lewis Gurley from the county jail the night >of Jan. 4th, and eloped with them, was found near Attalla last Friday by >one of the searching parties. The two escapees were not with her and it is >reported that they left her on Jan. 12th, and were going to Morgan Valley. >The Sheriff and a number of his men are searching that country, but the >only news from them up to time of going to press is a telegram from >Ex-Sheriff Bledsoe from Hartselle, dated Jan. 20th stating that he had >struck trace of Murphree at that place. > >The Blount County News-Dispatch, 22 Jan 1903 > >Miss Etta Alldredge Found in Etowah County. Miss Etta Alldredge, who >liberated Louis Gurley, charged with murder, and Mayburn Murphree, an >adulterer, was found last Friday near Avery, in Etowah county. She was >found at the home of Mrs. Sarah Kelley, grandmother of Murphree, by a >deputy Sheriff and her cousin, but Murphree and Gurley, who it is believed >have been laying out in the woods near Kelley's was not found. Murphree >has lived in the neighborhood and is well acquainted there. The girl was >taken to the home of her brother near Liberty and is still there. > >The Blount County News-Dispatch, 29 Jan 1903 > >Joe Wagner has been arrested and placed in the Oneonta jail on a charge of >assisting Louis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree to escape jail January 4th. > >The continued trial of Caleb Murphree, charged with assisting Mayburn >Murphree and Louis Gurley to escape from the Oneonta jail on January 4th >was concluded Wednesday, and he was bound over by Judge Davidson to the >next session of the Grand Jury. His bond was fixed at $800. > >The Southern Democrat, 5 Mar 1903 > >The Sheriff has received information from the Sheriff of Jackson County >that he has a man filling the description of Lewis Gurley who escaped jail >Jan. 4th. > >The Southern Democrat, 12 Mar 1903 > >The man captured in Jackson county last week proved to be Lewis Gurley who >escaped from jail January 4th. He was identified Tuesday by Sheriff >Alldredge who is expected to return with him tonight (Wednesday). Gurley >is charged with the murder of old lady Vaughn near Oneonta about a year >ago. Murphree, who escaped with Gurley, has not been recaptured. > >The Blount County News-Dispatch, 12 Mar 1903 > >Gurley In Oneonta Jail Again. Sheriff Alldredge arrived last night from >Scottsboro with Louis Gurley. He was arrested by the authorities of >Jackson county upon a charge of robbery, with little evidence against him. >Gurley's name is familiar to our readers; he and Mayburn Murphree having >escaped jail (assisted) January 4th. Gurley says he and Mayburn Murphree >and Miss Etta Alldredge first went to Attalla and remained that >neighborhood for several days. Leaving Miss Etta there with Murphree's >grandmother they went to Jackson county. He says Murphree left Jackson >county about a month ago. > >The Southern Democrat, 7 May 1903 > >The case of Lewis Gurley charged with the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, near >Oneonta, about a year ago, was nol prossed. The case was set for Wednesday >and a special jury had been summoned to try the case. The solicitor stated >when the case was called for trial that he didn't believe he had sufficient >evidence to convict and that he doubted the guilt of the defendant and >would therefore nol prossed the case. > >The Blount County News-Dispatch, 7 May 1903 > >Louis Gurley is free. The Solicitor, in nol prossing the case, stated that >he did not believe he had sufficient evidence to convict him and that he >doubted the guilt of the defendant. Gurley was charged with the murder of >Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, near Oneonta, a little over a year ago. > >The Southern Democrat, 14 May 1903 > >The case which attracted most attention in the court last week was that of >the State vs. Caleb Murphree charged with releasing Lewis Gurley and >Mayburn Murphree from the county jail on Jan. 4th. The trial consumed >about three days and was of unusual interest because of the fact that a >large number of reputable witnesses testified to seeing the defendant on >his way to Oneonta on the afternoon preceding the escape. In fact >according to the testimony he was seen all along the road from Liberty to >Oneonta where it appears he arrived just before night. While according to >the testimony of a large number of witnesses, who, so far as was shown to >the court, area as reputable as the other witnesses, the defendant was with >a sick man near Summit on the evening of the escape. The jury, after being >out about eighteen hours returned a verdict of not guilty. > >The Gurley Case. In nol-prossing the Lewis Gurley case Solicitor Hunt has >made himself the object of much unfavorable criticism. As to whether >Gurley is guilty or innocent of the charge is not the point. If it was >wise to nol-pros the case at the present term of the court why was it not >wise to nol-pros it a year ago? The facts before the solicitor were the >same then as now. If the defendant was not guilty he should not have been >forced to remain in jail all this while. The case has cost the county more >than a thousand dollars. This could have been saved if the solicitor had >acted upon the case a year ago. He alone is responsible for all this >expense. He claims that he did not have evidence sufficient to convict, >but he certainly ought to have known that when the indictment was found. >His only excuse for the delay is that he was waiting for developments. > >The holding of Gurley only served to stop further investigation. The >people felt that the man who had committed the most heinous crime in the >history of the county was in the hands of the law and that no further >detective work was necessary. If Gurley had been released at the last >Spring term of court the investigation might have continued and the guilty >party brought to justice. His release would not have prevented a new >indictment being found against him if developments pointed to him as the >guilty party. > >The history of the crime with which Gurley was charged is well known to >most of our readers. In the latter part of April, 1902, Mrs. Nancy Vaughn >was found dead in her home near Oneonta with a great gash in her head >inflicted with a hatchet. After many days of investigation the Coronor's >Jury rendered a verdict charging Lewis Gurley with the crime. An >indictment was immediately returned by the Grand Jury and the defendant >remained in jail from that time until last week when he was discharged >except about two months after his escape last January. > >Who committed the crime? Will it ever by known? If the money spent by the >county had been placed in the hands of some good detective the guilty party >would doubtless have been brought to justice. > >The Southern Democrat, 8 Oct 1903 > >Mayburn Murphree Recaptured. Mayburn Murphree, the convict who escaped >from the county jail last January, is again behind the bars. He was >arrested at Iron city, Calhoun County one day last week by Sheriff >Alldredge who has been making every effort possible to locate him since his >escape. > >Murphree was at Iron City trying to marry again and a letter was written to >the Postmaster at Summit inquiring about his character. The letter was >sent to the Sheriff and he went immediately after him. Will F. Hendricks >of Birmingham, formerly of Blountsville, accompanied the Sheriff and helped >to make the arrest. > >Our readers are familiar with the history of the case. The escape of this >prisoner caused the greatest sensation of anything that has ever occurred >in Blount County. Besides all the money the Sheriff has paid out to >re-captured his prisoner, the cases growing out of the escape have already >cost the county several hundred dollars and they are not yet all settled. > >The Sheriff has spent $400 or $500 in trying to re-capture this noted >prisoner. > >The Sheriff wishes us to state that he is very thankful to the people for >their assistance in the matter. > >Follow up: The case of Nancy Vaughn, like that of Frank Hanna, remains one >of Blount County's unsolved mysteries. Did Gurley actually kill Vaughn, or >was he unjustly accused? We'll probably never know. No monuments were >located in Blount County for Nancy Vaughn, Lewis Gurley, or Mayburn >Murphree. Gurley and Murphree probably moved out of the county to escape >any lingering ill will. Etta Alldredge's infatuation with Mayburn Murphree >was short lived. Perhaps Terry Jackson can be persuaded to make a follow >up post on who Etta eventually settled down with. > >Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these >rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email >boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages? > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I love 'em. I hope they keep 'em comin'. Still looking for anything related to my family. Jimmy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Billie Shaffer" <billi70@cebridge.net> To: <alblount@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 3:17 PM Subject: Re: [ALBLOUNT] The Murder of Nancy Vaughn >I love it. Blount County history is intensely interesting. > > > > Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these > rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email > boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages? > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

bobwonda@hiwaay.net wrote: > Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these > rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email > boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages? > > > Yes, this subscriber does read, and does enjoy the long informational posts. Charles Blakley Texas Blackburn/Blakley/Box/Ellis/Hancock/Murphree

Monya, I've found an Isabella Musgrove on the 1930 census that seems to have a connection to the William R. & Mary E. Wilcutt family in Cullman, Cullman Co. Do you know anything about her? What the connection would be? Terry Monya Havekost wrote: >All of this is fascinating reading, even if it doesn't apply to one's >direct family line -- which is true in my case. It certainly tells the >story of what was happening during a certain time period. I applaud >those who are willing to take the time to transcribe this history and >share it with others. One can't truly understand family history without >knowing the context in which it happened. > >Again, thank you to those who take the time to share so generously. > >Best regards, > >Monya > >MUSGROVE FAMILY REUNION, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, 11 a.m., Musgrove >Chapel United Methodist Church, Winfield, AL. > >All allied families are invited including: ASTON, AYCOCK, BISHOP, >BLACK, DICKINSON, DODSON, FLYNN, HARRIS, HOWELL, McDONALD, MORTON, >MOSS, OTT, PATTERSON, PEDEN, SANDLIN, SCRUGGS, SMITH, SOUTH, STANFORD, >THOMPSON, TUTWILER, WEBSTER, WEEKS, WHITE. > >On Sep 30, 2006, at 5:41 PM, Jimmy Thomason wrote: > > > >>I love 'em. I hope they keep 'em comin'. Still looking for anything >>related >>to my family. Jimmy >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "Billie Shaffer" <billi70@cebridge.net> >>To: <alblount@rootsweb.com> >>Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 3:17 PM >>Subject: Re: [ALBLOUNT] The Murder of Nancy Vaughn >> >> >> >> >>>I love it. Blount County history is intensely interesting. >>> >>> >>> >>>Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these >>>rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your >>>email >>>boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages? >>> >>> >>>------------------------------- >>>To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>>ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>>quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >>> >>> >>------------------------------- >>To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> >> > > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > >

I love it. Blount County history is intensely interesting. Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages?

At 09:33 AM 9/30/2006, you wrote: >Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these >rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email >boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages? I read these and truly enjoy them.... also save them. The RootsWeb sites are a great help with tracking down genealogy information. But also ...... from material such as this they are helpful with learning interesting things about the history of the families and the area. For me, that's important. I'm interested not just in the family tree as an outline with names and dates. I also want to know as much as possible about the circumstances, the local history, and other such things that tell something about how they lived. So, at least for me .............. do keep this kind of material coming. It's GREAT !!!! Carl Thomas Knoxville, Tennessee

"Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages?" Now an answer...at least from my point of view: I surely enjoy the rather long informational posts. Although I have yet to see one that deals directly with my ancestors, I always find that the postings give us a view into the lives of our ancestors. Now a shameless plug...in an 11-Feb-1915 article from a Blount Co. newspaper, an article appears reporting the murder of William Newport Tucker by his son-in-law Fee Denton. The article mentions the arrest of Denton...but so far I have not been able to turn up any further details. Has anyone seen/heard of this tale? It appears that Fee Denton, b c1887, was married to Ida May Tucker after 21-Oct-1910 in Blount Co. Needless to say, it also appears that the marriage of Denton and Ida May did not survive the murder of Ida's father William Newport. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!! Michael L. Tucker 1883 Posey Road Gadsden, AL 35903 Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally. Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865) -----Original Message----- From: alblount-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:alblount-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of bobwonda@hiwaay.net Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 8:33 AM To: alblount@rootsweb.com Subject: [ALBLOUNT] The Murder of Nancy Vaughn Some months ago, Terry Jackson posted information where Etta Alldredge, daughter of Sheriff E.C. Alldredge, was involved in assisting prisoners escape from the Oneonta jail. Terry's fascinating contribution, which was reported in the Atlanta Constitution, concentrated on the alledged love affair between Etta and one of the prisoners. However, the incidents leading up to the jail break, and its subsequent resolution beg to be related. The event which landed one of the participants in jail was the murder of Nancy Vaughn... The Southern Democrat, 1 May 1902 Brutal Murder Committed. Mrs. Nancy Vaughn Killed Almost Within the Shadow of the Court House. Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, an aged woman was brutally murdered in a little cabin just outside the city limits of Oneonta last Thursday or the night before. Her dead body was found late Thursday afternoon by her daughter who reported the matter to neighbors. A.J. Ketchum, acting as Coroner, organized a jury at once and began an investigation. Many witnesses have been before the jury but up to the time of going to press no verdict has been rendered. The old woman lived alone and there was no one left to tell the story of the horrible deed. There are many theories as to the cause of the murder and as many reports as to the evidence that is being given in, but this much seems to be undisputed: She was murdered between 6 o'clock Wednesday evening and 6 o'clock Thursday evening. That she came to her death from a blow on the head with an ax or hatchet which was found in the cabin. The coroner's jury began its investigation, it seemed without any clue to the murder but matters slowly developed, until a strong chain of evidence is being established. Louis Gurley, a white boy about 21 years of age, has been arrested on suspicion. It is stated that Gurley was seen to go to the cabin Thursday afternoon and that blood stains have been found upon the clothing that he wore on that day. He denies having any knowledge of the matter. It is believed by some that a number of others are implicated and that other arrests will follow. This is the first murder ever committed in or near Oneonta and the people are greatly aroused over it and it is to be hoped the perpetrator of the horrible deed will be brought to justice. The Southern Democrat, 8 May 1902 The Coroners Jury investigating the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn arrived at a verdict last Thursday morning fixing the crime upon Louis Gurley and his has been indicted by the grand jury, and a special jury has been drawn to try the case today (Thursday). The Southern Democrat, 15 May 1902 The trial of Louis Gurley for the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, which was set for last Thursday, was continued until next court, the purpose of the postponement being to allow the State chemist to analyze the blood stains found on Gurley's clothing. The Southern Democrat, 6 Nov 1902 The case of Louis Gurley, charged with the murder of Mrs. Vaughn has been set for Thursday of this week in the Circuit Court. A special jury has been summoned. The Southern Democrat, 20 Nov 1902 Three prisoners escaped from jail Sunday afternoon. When ordered to go into their cells they refused and when Deputy Sheriff Bryson attempted to force them to obey they overpowered him and escaped. The deputy fired three shots at them but none took effect. One of the prisoners, Mayburn Murphree was re-captured by Ex-Sheriff Sanders as he was making his way to the mountain. The two who escaped are negroes and are charged with stealing cotton. They had been in jail only about one week. Louis Gurley, the other prisoner, made no attempt to escape. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 8 Jan 1903 [Front Page] Her Lover's Jailer. Some time during Monday night, Miss Etta Alldredge, daughter of the sheriff at Oneonta, unlocked the jail and liberated two prisoners, Louis Gurley, charged with murder, and Mayburn Murphree, held on sentence for adultery. Miss Etta accompanied the prisoners in their flight, or at least one of them. The cause of her act is supposed to be love of Mayburn Murphree, who is an exceedingly handsome young man of good address. For some months he has been an inmate of the jail, and it has been noticed that the daughter of the sheriff often lingered at the bars to talk to him. Sheriff's Daughter Liberates Two Prisoners. Sometime during Sunday night, Miss Etta Alldredge, daughter of the sheriff of this county, unlocked the jail and liberated two prisoners, Louis Gurley, charged with murder, and Mayburn Murphree, held on sentence for adultery. Miss Etta, accompanied the prisoners in their flight, or at least one of them. The cause of her act is supposed to be the love of Mayburn Murphree. For some months he had been an inmate of the jail and it has been noticed that the comely daughter of the sheriff often lingered at the bars to talk to him. Notice to apprehend the fugitives has been telegraphed to the various towns and cities of Alabama, Deputy sheriffs are scouring the county. Louis Gurley, charged with murder, who was the beneficiary of the sheriff's daughter's love for Murphree, is accused of one of the most brutal crimes in the history of Oneonta. About a year ago the dead body of an aged lady, Mrs. Vaughn, was found at her residence one morning weltering in its own blood. The head had been scalped and the body bore evidence of brutal mutilation, charged with her murder, Gurley was arrested and his case is pending trial. Mayburn Murphree, the attractive prisoner, who seems to have bewitched the fair keeper of the jail, had already been convicted and fined $750. His case was appealed to the Supreme Court where it is now pending. The Southern Democrat, 8 Jan 1903 Prisoner's Escape. Sheriff's Daughter Goes With Them. Sometime Sunday night, two of the prisoners, Louis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree, escaped from the County Jail, the Sheriff's daughter, Miss Etta Alldredge, disappearing at the same time. Sheriff Alldredge was not at home at the time and it is supposed that the girl secured the keys, released the prisoners and then eloped with them. Although the search commenced before day Monday morning but little has been heard from them. All the information obtained about the plan of escape is from a negro prisoner who says they left in the early part of the night and that the girl and Murphree had a conversation a short time before they left, that Murphree, hearing a buggy drive up, told him that his friends had come, and that is all the negro will tell. Miss Alldredge is about 22 years of age and has been in the habit of carrying the prisoners' meals to them. On the night of the escape she retired as usual, and the family never suspecting what was soon to take place, were soon asleep. Then it was that the plans previously arranged were quietly executed. There were four prisoners in the jail but Gurley and Murphree were the only ones allowed their liberty. Murphree was tried at the last term of the Circuit Court on a charge of seduction and was given a heavy sentence. His attorney gave notice of an appeal to the Supreme Court but no bill of exceptions had been filed. Gurley is under indictment of the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn which occurred about eight months ago. The Sheriff has offered a reward of $50 for the arrest and detention of Murphree and has sent circulars and telegrams all over the country. A thorough search of the country is being made. The Southern Democrat, 15 Jan 1903 Caleb Murphree has been placed in jail here charged with aiding Lewis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree in escaping from the jail on Jan. 4th. His preliminary trial is set for next Monday. Escaped Prisoners Still At Large. There are still few new developments in the jail tragedy. No trace of Gurley has been found. Murphree and Miss Alldredge were traced through Cullman County and were last seen in Franklin County, Alabama, driving a road horse to open buggy, going West. Horse had about given out. This was Jan. 8th. It is believed that they will either stop and rest in North East Mississippi or will take train there for Dallas, Texas, where Murphree's father lives. The following is a description of the missing parties: Mayburn Murphree-Medium dark complexion, small black eyes, black curly hair-usually wore it long and parted in middle-has small black mustache and was continually twisting it while talking, round face and is a little round shouldered. Height 5 ft. 7 in., weight 145 pounds, wears No. 7 shoe. He is a gambler, drinks whiskey freely, does not use tobacco and will not work. Education poor. Writes poor hand but puts on better appearance that education would indicate. Miss Etta Alldredge-Height about 5 ft. 5 in., weight 140 pounds, dark hair, large blue eyes, large face, shoulders a little round and stooped. She wears No. 6 shoe, age 22 years and has several small gold fillings in upper front teeth. Lewis Gurley-complexion fair, eyes light blue, hair very light, eyebrows and eyelashes, white, had a short chin, white mustache. Height 6 ft. 2 in. Has a peculiar expression about the mouth. Scowling downcast look and when talking to him, he looks at you sidewise, as if looking downwards and out of the corner of his eyes at the same time. Age about 21 years, weighing about 160 or 170 pounds. Stands erect, has no education and his language is rustic. Has been in jail 9 or 10 months and is somewhat bleached. The Sheriff will consider it a favor if other papers will copy this description. The Southern Democrat, 22 Jan 1903 Sheriff's Daughter Found. Miss Etta Alldredge, who is alleged to have released Mayburn Murphree and Lewis Gurley from the county jail the night of Jan. 4th, and eloped with them, was found near Attalla last Friday by one of the searching parties. The two escapees were not with her and it is reported that they left her on Jan. 12th, and were going to Morgan Valley. The Sheriff and a number of his men are searching that country, but the only news from them up to time of going to press is a telegram from Ex-Sheriff Bledsoe from Hartselle, dated Jan. 20th stating that he had struck trace of Murphree at that place. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 22 Jan 1903 Miss Etta Alldredge Found in Etowah County. Miss Etta Alldredge, who liberated Louis Gurley, charged with murder, and Mayburn Murphree, an adulterer, was found last Friday near Avery, in Etowah county. She was found at the home of Mrs. Sarah Kelley, grandmother of Murphree, by a deputy Sheriff and her cousin, but Murphree and Gurley, who it is believed have been laying out in the woods near Kelley's was not found. Murphree has lived in the neighborhood and is well acquainted there. The girl was taken to the home of her brother near Liberty and is still there. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 29 Jan 1903 Joe Wagner has been arrested and placed in the Oneonta jail on a charge of assisting Louis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree to escape jail January 4th. The continued trial of Caleb Murphree, charged with assisting Mayburn Murphree and Louis Gurley to escape from the Oneonta jail on January 4th was concluded Wednesday, and he was bound over by Judge Davidson to the next session of the Grand Jury. His bond was fixed at $800. The Southern Democrat, 5 Mar 1903 The Sheriff has received information from the Sheriff of Jackson County that he has a man filling the description of Lewis Gurley who escaped jail Jan. 4th. The Southern Democrat, 12 Mar 1903 The man captured in Jackson county last week proved to be Lewis Gurley who escaped from jail January 4th. He was identified Tuesday by Sheriff Alldredge who is expected to return with him tonight (Wednesday). Gurley is charged with the murder of old lady Vaughn near Oneonta about a year ago. Murphree, who escaped with Gurley, has not been recaptured. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 12 Mar 1903 Gurley In Oneonta Jail Again. Sheriff Alldredge arrived last night from Scottsboro with Louis Gurley. He was arrested by the authorities of Jackson county upon a charge of robbery, with little evidence against him. Gurley's name is familiar to our readers; he and Mayburn Murphree having escaped jail (assisted) January 4th. Gurley says he and Mayburn Murphree and Miss Etta Alldredge first went to Attalla and remained that neighborhood for several days. Leaving Miss Etta there with Murphree's grandmother they went to Jackson county. He says Murphree left Jackson county about a month ago. The Southern Democrat, 7 May 1903 The case of Lewis Gurley charged with the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, near Oneonta, about a year ago, was nol prossed. The case was set for Wednesday and a special jury had been summoned to try the case. The solicitor stated when the case was called for trial that he didn't believe he had sufficient evidence to convict and that he doubted the guilt of the defendant and would therefore nol prossed the case. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 7 May 1903 Louis Gurley is free. The Solicitor, in nol prossing the case, stated that he did not believe he had sufficient evidence to convict him and that he doubted the guilt of the defendant. Gurley was charged with the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, near Oneonta, a little over a year ago. The Southern Democrat, 14 May 1903 The case which attracted most attention in the court last week was that of the State vs. Caleb Murphree charged with releasing Lewis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree from the county jail on Jan. 4th. The trial consumed about three days and was of unusual interest because of the fact that a large number of reputable witnesses testified to seeing the defendant on his way to Oneonta on the afternoon preceding the escape. In fact according to the testimony he was seen all along the road from Liberty to Oneonta where it appears he arrived just before night. While according to the testimony of a large number of witnesses, who, so far as was shown to the court, area as reputable as the other witnesses, the defendant was with a sick man near Summit on the evening of the escape. The jury, after being out about eighteen hours returned a verdict of not guilty. The Gurley Case. In nol-prossing the Lewis Gurley case Solicitor Hunt has made himself the object of much unfavorable criticism. As to whether Gurley is guilty or innocent of the charge is not the point. If it was wise to nol-pros the case at the present term of the court why was it not wise to nol-pros it a year ago? The facts before the solicitor were the same then as now. If the defendant was not guilty he should not have been forced to remain in jail all this while. The case has cost the county more than a thousand dollars. This could have been saved if the solicitor had acted upon the case a year ago. He alone is responsible for all this expense. He claims that he did not have evidence sufficient to convict, but he certainly ought to have known that when the indictment was found. His only excuse for the delay is that he was waiting for developments. The holding of Gurley only served to stop further investigation. The people felt that the man who had committed the most heinous crime in the history of the county was in the hands of the law and that no further detective work was necessary. If Gurley had been released at the last Spring term of court the investigation might have continued and the guilty party brought to justice. His release would not have prevented a new indictment being found against him if developments pointed to him as the guilty party. The history of the crime with which Gurley was charged is well known to most of our readers. In the latter part of April, 1902, Mrs. Nancy Vaughn was found dead in her home near Oneonta with a great gash in her head inflicted with a hatchet. After many days of investigation the Coronor's Jury rendered a verdict charging Lewis Gurley with the crime. An indictment was immediately returned by the Grand Jury and the defendant remained in jail from that time until last week when he was discharged except about two months after his escape last January. Who committed the crime? Will it ever by known? If the money spent by the county had been placed in the hands of some good detective the guilty party would doubtless have been brought to justice. The Southern Democrat, 8 Oct 1903 Mayburn Murphree Recaptured. Mayburn Murphree, the convict who escaped from the county jail last January, is again behind the bars. He was arrested at Iron city, Calhoun County one day last week by Sheriff Alldredge who has been making every effort possible to locate him since his escape. Murphree was at Iron City trying to marry again and a letter was written to the Postmaster at Summit inquiring about his character. The letter was sent to the Sheriff and he went immediately after him. Will F. Hendricks of Birmingham, formerly of Blountsville, accompanied the Sheriff and helped to make the arrest. Our readers are familiar with the history of the case. The escape of this prisoner caused the greatest sensation of anything that has ever occurred in Blount County. Besides all the money the Sheriff has paid out to re-captured his prisoner, the cases growing out of the escape have already cost the county several hundred dollars and they are not yet all settled. The Sheriff has spent $400 or $500 in trying to re-capture this noted prisoner. The Sheriff wishes us to state that he is very thankful to the people for their assistance in the matter. Follow up: The case of Nancy Vaughn, like that of Frank Hanna, remains one of Blount County's unsolved mysteries. Did Gurley actually kill Vaughn, or was he unjustly accused? We'll probably never know. No monuments were located in Blount County for Nancy Vaughn, Lewis Gurley, or Mayburn Murphree. Gurley and Murphree probably moved out of the county to escape any lingering ill will. Etta Alldredge's infatuation with Mayburn Murphree was short lived. Perhaps Terry Jackson can be persuaded to make a follow up post on who Etta eventually settled down with. Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages? ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I really enjoy the long informational post and hope all others do to. History and Genealogy go side by side, can't do one with out the other. Gail

The Gadsden Times had articles about the killing of Capt. Frank Hanna also. May 6, 13 & 20, 1881 at least. Patti View my genealogy queries: http://cousinconnect.com/p/a/0/u/71736/ Talk to me on line! AIM: fcspatti; MSN Messenger: fcspatti; YAHOO Messenger: fcspatti; ICQ: fcspatti Surnames being researched: MARTIN (NC, So. GA), HOUSTON (FL, SC), McDANIEL (GA), POTTER (AL, MS, GA, NC), WIGGINS (SC, AL), BROWN (AL), PARKER (GA), WES(T)COT(T) (NY, IL, AL), CORNU(E) (NY), McCLURE (AL, KY), STONE (AL, SC), NOWLAND (AL, GA), WILLIAMSON (AL, GA, SC), GOGGINS/GOGGANS (SC), HUGHES (AL, SC), BALL (AL, GA, SC), GOLDEN (AL, SC?), ROBERSON (GA), ROBERTSON (SC), TRAYLOR (SC), MOSELY (GA, SC), GRAHAM (NC, SC, PA), GIBSON (SC), RICHARDS (SC, NH), RAMSOUR (NC, PA), BOLLINGER (NC, PA), SMITH (NC), DAVIS (NC), KINNIARD (FL, WV, VA), ROLSTON (WV, VA), WORTH (PA), ALEXANDER (SC, PA)

Some months ago, Terry Jackson posted information where Etta Alldredge, daughter of Sheriff E.C. Alldredge, was involved in assisting prisoners escape from the Oneonta jail. Terry's fascinating contribution, which was reported in the Atlanta Constitution, concentrated on the alledged love affair between Etta and one of the prisoners. However, the incidents leading up to the jail break, and its subsequent resolution beg to be related. The event which landed one of the participants in jail was the murder of Nancy Vaughn... The Southern Democrat, 1 May 1902 Brutal Murder Committed. Mrs. Nancy Vaughn Killed Almost Within the Shadow of the Court House. Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, an aged woman was brutally murdered in a little cabin just outside the city limits of Oneonta last Thursday or the night before. Her dead body was found late Thursday afternoon by her daughter who reported the matter to neighbors. A.J. Ketchum, acting as Coroner, organized a jury at once and began an investigation. Many witnesses have been before the jury but up to the time of going to press no verdict has been rendered. The old woman lived alone and there was no one left to tell the story of the horrible deed. There are many theories as to the cause of the murder and as many reports as to the evidence that is being given in, but this much seems to be undisputed: She was murdered between 6 o'clock Wednesday evening and 6 o'clock Thursday evening. That she came to her death from a blow on the head with an ax or hatchet which was found in the cabin. The coroner's jury began its investigation, it seemed without any clue to the murder but matters slowly developed, until a strong chain of evidence is being established. Louis Gurley, a white boy about 21 years of age, has been arrested on suspicion. It is stated that Gurley was seen to go to the cabin Thursday afternoon and that blood stains have been found upon the clothing that he wore on that day. He denies having any knowledge of the matter. It is believed by some that a number of others are implicated and that other arrests will follow. This is the first murder ever committed in or near Oneonta and the people are greatly aroused over it and it is to be hoped the perpetrator of the horrible deed will be brought to justice. The Southern Democrat, 8 May 1902 The Coroners Jury investigating the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn arrived at a verdict last Thursday morning fixing the crime upon Louis Gurley and his has been indicted by the grand jury, and a special jury has been drawn to try the case today (Thursday). The Southern Democrat, 15 May 1902 The trial of Louis Gurley for the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, which was set for last Thursday, was continued until next court, the purpose of the postponement being to allow the State chemist to analyze the blood stains found on Gurley's clothing. The Southern Democrat, 6 Nov 1902 The case of Louis Gurley, charged with the murder of Mrs. Vaughn has been set for Thursday of this week in the Circuit Court. A special jury has been summoned. The Southern Democrat, 20 Nov 1902 Three prisoners escaped from jail Sunday afternoon. When ordered to go into their cells they refused and when Deputy Sheriff Bryson attempted to force them to obey they overpowered him and escaped. The deputy fired three shots at them but none took effect. One of the prisoners, Mayburn Murphree was re-captured by Ex-Sheriff Sanders as he was making his way to the mountain. The two who escaped are negroes and are charged with stealing cotton. They had been in jail only about one week. Louis Gurley, the other prisoner, made no attempt to escape. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 8 Jan 1903 [Front Page] Her Lover's Jailer. Some time during Monday night, Miss Etta Alldredge, daughter of the sheriff at Oneonta, unlocked the jail and liberated two prisoners, Louis Gurley, charged with murder, and Mayburn Murphree, held on sentence for adultery. Miss Etta accompanied the prisoners in their flight, or at least one of them. The cause of her act is supposed to be love of Mayburn Murphree, who is an exceedingly handsome young man of good address. For some months he has been an inmate of the jail, and it has been noticed that the daughter of the sheriff often lingered at the bars to talk to him. Sheriff's Daughter Liberates Two Prisoners. Sometime during Sunday night, Miss Etta Alldredge, daughter of the sheriff of this county, unlocked the jail and liberated two prisoners, Louis Gurley, charged with murder, and Mayburn Murphree, held on sentence for adultery. Miss Etta, accompanied the prisoners in their flight, or at least one of them. The cause of her act is supposed to be the love of Mayburn Murphree. For some months he had been an inmate of the jail and it has been noticed that the comely daughter of the sheriff often lingered at the bars to talk to him. Notice to apprehend the fugitives has been telegraphed to the various towns and cities of Alabama, Deputy sheriffs are scouring the county. Louis Gurley, charged with murder, who was the beneficiary of the sheriff's daughter's love for Murphree, is accused of one of the most brutal crimes in the history of Oneonta. About a year ago the dead body of an aged lady, Mrs. Vaughn, was found at her residence one morning weltering in its own blood. The head had been scalped and the body bore evidence of brutal mutilation, charged with her murder, Gurley was arrested and his case is pending trial. Mayburn Murphree, the attractive prisoner, who seems to have bewitched the fair keeper of the jail, had already been convicted and fined $750. His case was appealed to the Supreme Court where it is now pending. The Southern Democrat, 8 Jan 1903 Prisoner's Escape. Sheriff's Daughter Goes With Them. Sometime Sunday night, two of the prisoners, Louis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree, escaped from the County Jail, the Sheriff's daughter, Miss Etta Alldredge, disappearing at the same time. Sheriff Alldredge was not at home at the time and it is supposed that the girl secured the keys, released the prisoners and then eloped with them. Although the search commenced before day Monday morning but little has been heard from them. All the information obtained about the plan of escape is from a negro prisoner who says they left in the early part of the night and that the girl and Murphree had a conversation a short time before they left, that Murphree, hearing a buggy drive up, told him that his friends had come, and that is all the negro will tell. Miss Alldredge is about 22 years of age and has been in the habit of carrying the prisoners' meals to them. On the night of the escape she retired as usual, and the family never suspecting what was soon to take place, were soon asleep. Then it was that the plans previously arranged were quietly executed. There were four prisoners in the jail but Gurley and Murphree were the only ones allowed their liberty. Murphree was tried at the last term of the Circuit Court on a charge of seduction and was given a heavy sentence. His attorney gave notice of an appeal to the Supreme Court but no bill of exceptions had been filed. Gurley is under indictment of the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn which occurred about eight months ago. The Sheriff has offered a reward of $50 for the arrest and detention of Murphree and has sent circulars and telegrams all over the country. A thorough search of the country is being made. The Southern Democrat, 15 Jan 1903 Caleb Murphree has been placed in jail here charged with aiding Lewis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree in escaping from the jail on Jan. 4th. His preliminary trial is set for next Monday. Escaped Prisoners Still At Large. There are still few new developments in the jail tragedy. No trace of Gurley has been found. Murphree and Miss Alldredge were traced through Cullman County and were last seen in Franklin County, Alabama, driving a road horse to open buggy, going West. Horse had about given out. This was Jan. 8th. It is believed that they will either stop and rest in North East Mississippi or will take train there for Dallas, Texas, where Murphree's father lives. The following is a description of the missing parties: Mayburn Murphree-Medium dark complexion, small black eyes, black curly hair-usually wore it long and parted in middle-has small black mustache and was continually twisting it while talking, round face and is a little round shouldered. Height 5 ft. 7 in., weight 145 pounds, wears No. 7 shoe. He is a gambler, drinks whiskey freely, does not use tobacco and will not work. Education poor. Writes poor hand but puts on better appearance that education would indicate. Miss Etta Alldredge-Height about 5 ft. 5 in., weight 140 pounds, dark hair, large blue eyes, large face, shoulders a little round and stooped. She wears No. 6 shoe, age 22 years and has several small gold fillings in upper front teeth. Lewis Gurley-complexion fair, eyes light blue, hair very light, eyebrows and eyelashes, white, had a short chin, white mustache. Height 6 ft. 2 in. Has a peculiar expression about the mouth. Scowling downcast look and when talking to him, he looks at you sidewise, as if looking downwards and out of the corner of his eyes at the same time. Age about 21 years, weighing about 160 or 170 pounds. Stands erect, has no education and his language is rustic. Has been in jail 9 or 10 months and is somewhat bleached. The Sheriff will consider it a favor if other papers will copy this description. The Southern Democrat, 22 Jan 1903 Sheriff's Daughter Found. Miss Etta Alldredge, who is alleged to have released Mayburn Murphree and Lewis Gurley from the county jail the night of Jan. 4th, and eloped with them, was found near Attalla last Friday by one of the searching parties. The two escapees were not with her and it is reported that they left her on Jan. 12th, and were going to Morgan Valley. The Sheriff and a number of his men are searching that country, but the only news from them up to time of going to press is a telegram from Ex-Sheriff Bledsoe from Hartselle, dated Jan. 20th stating that he had struck trace of Murphree at that place. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 22 Jan 1903 Miss Etta Alldredge Found in Etowah County. Miss Etta Alldredge, who liberated Louis Gurley, charged with murder, and Mayburn Murphree, an adulterer, was found last Friday near Avery, in Etowah county. She was found at the home of Mrs. Sarah Kelley, grandmother of Murphree, by a deputy Sheriff and her cousin, but Murphree and Gurley, who it is believed have been laying out in the woods near Kelley's was not found. Murphree has lived in the neighborhood and is well acquainted there. The girl was taken to the home of her brother near Liberty and is still there. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 29 Jan 1903 Joe Wagner has been arrested and placed in the Oneonta jail on a charge of assisting Louis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree to escape jail January 4th. The continued trial of Caleb Murphree, charged with assisting Mayburn Murphree and Louis Gurley to escape from the Oneonta jail on January 4th was concluded Wednesday, and he was bound over by Judge Davidson to the next session of the Grand Jury. His bond was fixed at $800. The Southern Democrat, 5 Mar 1903 The Sheriff has received information from the Sheriff of Jackson County that he has a man filling the description of Lewis Gurley who escaped jail Jan. 4th. The Southern Democrat, 12 Mar 1903 The man captured in Jackson county last week proved to be Lewis Gurley who escaped from jail January 4th. He was identified Tuesday by Sheriff Alldredge who is expected to return with him tonight (Wednesday). Gurley is charged with the murder of old lady Vaughn near Oneonta about a year ago. Murphree, who escaped with Gurley, has not been recaptured. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 12 Mar 1903 Gurley In Oneonta Jail Again. Sheriff Alldredge arrived last night from Scottsboro with Louis Gurley. He was arrested by the authorities of Jackson county upon a charge of robbery, with little evidence against him. Gurley's name is familiar to our readers; he and Mayburn Murphree having escaped jail (assisted) January 4th. Gurley says he and Mayburn Murphree and Miss Etta Alldredge first went to Attalla and remained that neighborhood for several days. Leaving Miss Etta there with Murphree's grandmother they went to Jackson county. He says Murphree left Jackson county about a month ago. The Southern Democrat, 7 May 1903 The case of Lewis Gurley charged with the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, near Oneonta, about a year ago, was nol prossed. The case was set for Wednesday and a special jury had been summoned to try the case. The solicitor stated when the case was called for trial that he didn't believe he had sufficient evidence to convict and that he doubted the guilt of the defendant and would therefore nol prossed the case. The Blount County News-Dispatch, 7 May 1903 Louis Gurley is free. The Solicitor, in nol prossing the case, stated that he did not believe he had sufficient evidence to convict him and that he doubted the guilt of the defendant. Gurley was charged with the murder of Mrs. Nancy Vaughn, near Oneonta, a little over a year ago. The Southern Democrat, 14 May 1903 The case which attracted most attention in the court last week was that of the State vs. Caleb Murphree charged with releasing Lewis Gurley and Mayburn Murphree from the county jail on Jan. 4th. The trial consumed about three days and was of unusual interest because of the fact that a large number of reputable witnesses testified to seeing the defendant on his way to Oneonta on the afternoon preceding the escape. In fact according to the testimony he was seen all along the road from Liberty to Oneonta where it appears he arrived just before night. While according to the testimony of a large number of witnesses, who, so far as was shown to the court, area as reputable as the other witnesses, the defendant was with a sick man near Summit on the evening of the escape. The jury, after being out about eighteen hours returned a verdict of not guilty. The Gurley Case. In nol-prossing the Lewis Gurley case Solicitor Hunt has made himself the object of much unfavorable criticism. As to whether Gurley is guilty or innocent of the charge is not the point. If it was wise to nol-pros the case at the present term of the court why was it not wise to nol-pros it a year ago? The facts before the solicitor were the same then as now. If the defendant was not guilty he should not have been forced to remain in jail all this while. The case has cost the county more than a thousand dollars. This could have been saved if the solicitor had acted upon the case a year ago. He alone is responsible for all this expense. He claims that he did not have evidence sufficient to convict, but he certainly ought to have known that when the indictment was found. His only excuse for the delay is that he was waiting for developments. The holding of Gurley only served to stop further investigation. The people felt that the man who had committed the most heinous crime in the history of the county was in the hands of the law and that no further detective work was necessary. If Gurley had been released at the last Spring term of court the investigation might have continued and the guilty party brought to justice. His release would not have prevented a new indictment being found against him if developments pointed to him as the guilty party. The history of the crime with which Gurley was charged is well known to most of our readers. In the latter part of April, 1902, Mrs. Nancy Vaughn was found dead in her home near Oneonta with a great gash in her head inflicted with a hatchet. After many days of investigation the Coronor's Jury rendered a verdict charging Lewis Gurley with the crime. An indictment was immediately returned by the Grand Jury and the defendant remained in jail from that time until last week when he was discharged except about two months after his escape last January. Who committed the crime? Will it ever by known? If the money spent by the county had been placed in the hands of some good detective the guilty party would doubtless have been brought to justice. The Southern Democrat, 8 Oct 1903 Mayburn Murphree Recaptured. Mayburn Murphree, the convict who escaped from the county jail last January, is again behind the bars. He was arrested at Iron city, Calhoun County one day last week by Sheriff Alldredge who has been making every effort possible to locate him since his escape. Murphree was at Iron City trying to marry again and a letter was written to the Postmaster at Summit inquiring about his character. The letter was sent to the Sheriff and he went immediately after him. Will F. Hendricks of Birmingham, formerly of Blountsville, accompanied the Sheriff and helped to make the arrest. Our readers are familiar with the history of the case. The escape of this prisoner caused the greatest sensation of anything that has ever occurred in Blount County. Besides all the money the Sheriff has paid out to re-captured his prisoner, the cases growing out of the escape have already cost the county several hundred dollars and they are not yet all settled. The Sheriff has spent $400 or $500 in trying to re-capture this noted prisoner. The Sheriff wishes us to state that he is very thankful to the people for their assistance in the matter. Follow up: The case of Nancy Vaughn, like that of Frank Hanna, remains one of Blount County's unsolved mysteries. Did Gurley actually kill Vaughn, or was he unjustly accused? We'll probably never know. No monuments were located in Blount County for Nancy Vaughn, Lewis Gurley, or Mayburn Murphree. Gurley and Murphree probably moved out of the county to escape any lingering ill will. Etta Alldredge's infatuation with Mayburn Murphree was short lived. Perhaps Terry Jackson can be persuaded to make a follow up post on who Etta eventually settled down with. Now a question: Do the subscribers to this board read and enjoy these rather long informational posts or had you prefer only have in your email boxes shorter exchanges related to Q&A on family lineages?

> Death notices From the Montgomery Advertiser > -Transcribed by Larry E. Caver, Jr. > > April 28, 1881: > > (Blountsville, April 27, 1881) > On Saturday night last, one of the foulest, most cowardly and > dastardly assassinations which could blot the annals of our fair State > occurred at Bangor& While Capt. Frank A. HANNA, an old citizen of the > county, was sitting reading a newspaper, at his residence, with a > light near him and the door wide open, the assassin slipped up within > 20 feet of him, with a rifle carrying quarter ounce ball, and fired& > instantly killing him& His remains were taken to Hanceville on Monday, > and interred by the side of his wife. He leaves three little children& > Capt. HANNA was a man well known in the county, was about 50 years of > age& and was formerly the proprietor of the Bangor Herald& bobwonda@hiwaay.net wrote: >The Blount County Herald was published at Bangor by Denis W.D. Boully and >edited by W.H. Edwards and F.A. Hanna. Only one issue of this newpaper is >known to exist. It is on microfilm in the Oneonta Court House. The paper >is dated 4 Apr 1879. A contemporary newspaper, the Bangor Broad-Axe was >run by Phillip Musgrove. Similarly, only one issue of the Broad-Axe is >known to exist. All the rest have apparently been lost to time. > >F.A. (Francis Asberry) Hanna served the Confederacy in Company C of the >29th Alabama Infantry. Phillip Musgrove was Captain of Company C of the >12th Alabama Cavalry. In April of 1881, Hanna was murdered. He was >sitting inside his house reading a newspaper by lamp or candle light with >the front door open. Someone crept up outside and shot him with a rifle. >He was taken back to the Hanna Family Cemetery near Hanceville for >interment. > >Mathew's paper, The Blount County News, was in business in Blountsville in >April 1881, but the issues which would have reported on the actual incident >are missing. The 19 May 1881 issue reported James McAnnally was arrested >and jailed at Blountsville and charged with complicity in the murder. >McAnnally later posted a $2000 bond and was released. In May 1884, the >News reported the case of the State vs. Willis McAnnally was called into >court. > >Phillip Musgrove was investigated as a suspect involved with conspiracy to >murder his newspaper competitor, but any charges were dismissed. In >October, 1884, this note was found in the News: > >The trial of Dr. P.M. Musgrove and Wm. Musgrove, charged with the murder of >F.A. Hanna, near Bangor in this County, came off last week in St. Clair >County, where the venue had been changed. After a trial of three days and >an exhaustive examination of witnesses, the verdict of the jury was "Not >Guilty." > >In September, 1885, this note was found: > >The trial of Bud McAnnally, charged with the murder of Frank A. Hanna, has >been again continued by the State. It was to have been tried in the >Marshall Circuit Court on the 2d inst., and many of the witnesses passed >through here on the 1st, on their way home. > >McAnnally was referred to as "James," "Willis," and "Bud." > >No other local newpaper reports were found concerning this Blount County >murder mystery. It is not known for certain if McAnnally was the real >killer. Although it involved a few well known men from Blount County, >Hanna's murder remains one of Blount County's unsolved murders. Phillip >Musgrove moved to Cullman not long after the incident. > >Hanna's younger brother, Lafayette Randolph Hanna, was a lawyer in >Blountsville. Newspaper ink must have flowed through the Hanna boys veins. >He, and two other prominent Blount Countians, Howell and Doyle, started >"The Mineral Age" some time after the death of his brother, F.A. Hanna. >Mathews, at the News, did not exactly welcome the competition and used his >editorial column to deride the young upstart. In any event, the Mineral >Age only lasted a few years. Mathews sarcastically eulogized the Mineral >Age with this note in the 22 Oct 1885 issue of the News: > >In Memoriam. Died, at Blountsville, Ala., on Oct. 20th, 1885, in the hope >of a glorious resurrection at Warrior, Ala., Miss Minner Alage, the adopted >daughter of L.R. Hanna, Esq., a pretended philanthropist of this County. >It had never any legitimate parentage, and was begotten in iniquity, and >died of a slow starvation, a dose that he prepared for its neighbor, the >Blount County News. The ways of God are inscrutable, and hypocrisy today, >meets its true deserts as it did in the days of the Savior. The puny >bantling was born at Chepultepec, Blount County, and was of very doubtful >parentage, yet it was a sensitive thing, and told its adopted parent three >weeks before its death, that it didn't want to live, for the following >reasons, to-wit: "The County officers paid no attention to it! The >Probate Judge snubbed it; the Sheriff only noticed it three or four times; >the Circuit Clerk never tipped his hat to it; and the Register in Chancery >totally ignored it." However, it had only one true and faithful friend, >the Rev. Remus Murphree, a contributor, and one of the most worthless >darkies in the State, who will preach its "Funeral" on November the 5th, >the anniversary of Guy Fawks' plot to blow up the Lords and Commons of old >England. But it has gone, gone forever! Yet its close financial career is >known to the little boys of Blountsville, who often found it a difficult >thing to collect a small but hard-earned fee from the management. Peace to >its ashes! It has undoubtedly been done Brown so let it rip! >>From the snow-clad hills of Maine to the marshes 'round Savannah, >Everyone now knows what's the matter with poor Hannah! > >In March 1886, the News reported the Mineral Age was sold to Prof. S.A. >Ellis and Rev. S.C. Davidson, who moved it to Warrior. > >L.R. Hanna was yet a young man when he contracted typhoid fever and died 20 >Feb 1887. He was buried with Masonic honors in the New Lebanon (Blue >Springs) Cemetery. > >A final note about Frank Hanna. In a June 1891 issue of the Blount County >News-Dispatch, a traveling salesman, then known as a "drummer" sent a >letter to the editor which mentions Hanna. His letter reads in part: > >I then bethought me of Frank Hanna, and on inquiry was told he is dead, >"had been murdered, mysteriously, horribly murdered years ago." Frank was >a social kind hearted companion and I could not but feel a great sorrow in >not meeting him, and the terrible idea that he was murdered followed me >whenever I went, and I caught myself dreamily wondering whether the spirits >of murdered men forgive, and if I ever could believe in spooks and restless >spirits I would certainly have thought he lingered 'round for I thought of >him all day, and could almost see him as I saw him last-the picture of >health. "Where then is the Musgrove family?" I asked, I am sure every one >thought me a veritable Rip Van Winkle and I myself begun to look around for >Synder. For "the Musgroves moved too, soon after Frank Hanna died." > >So what of the 4 Apr 1879 issue of The Blount County Herald? Here are a >few transcriptions: > > On the 27th inst., Mr. Jas. Scott, of Jefferson co., was married to Miss >Ellen Milner, of Blount, at the residence of the bride's father, Mr. Henry >Milner, near Chepultepec. After the ceremonies were over the guests were >invited to a table well filled with the luxuries of life, to which they did >ample justice. > > Blountsville, Ala., March 28, 1879. Eds. Herald--Since my last, two, if >not more, heavy rains have fallen here, and hen came a frost after; but, so >far as I am informed, it did no harm. > The prospect is good for fruit--peaches, plums and apples. Wheat >promises an abundant crop. > The last two or three days two or three days have been rather warm, and >our neighbors engaged in farming have taken advantage of the time and >planted their corn, and prepared to plant cotton by planting guano in some >instances. > The outlook is good for a crop, especially wheat, and especially Mr. >Wooten's, which is said to be the finest in this community. > By the way, Jim is one of the best farmers in the county, being careful >always to prepare well and thoroughly his soil before planting. No one in >this section succeeds better than Wooten. > Uncle Dan McPherson is on a visit to Blountsville to see his son-in-law, >Mr. Wooten. Although his head is white with the frosts of 78 winters, and >he afflicted with old age, yet Uncle Dan "spins a yarn" and cracks a joke >with as much zest as when in the prime of life. He is quite old, but >always good-humored and cheerful, and seems to enjoy his declining years as >much as any aged person. A better citizen than Uncle Dan is not in Blount. > About 350 to 400 motrgages have been recorded and filed for record in the >probate's office up to this time, and still the mortgage for supplies. >Many more will yet be filed for corn and meat. > Herein is another potent answer to the question, What causes the hard >times? Will we never learn to produce our corn and meat in this county? >After the immense quantity of guano, corn and bacon shipped and sold here >to the farmers is paid for next winter, how much will they have left of >their crops? Just about enough to do till Christmas, when they must again >give a lien to get supplies. Scribe. > > Died, on the 29th ult., at the residence of her son, in this county, Mrs. >Jenkins, aged 83 years. > > We learn that the jail at Blountsville was broken on last Wednesday and >the prisoners made good their escape. The free use of a hand-saw and >chisel enabled them to make their exit. > > We had a short and pleasant call this week by Drs. Willoughby and >Drennen, of Arkadelphia. > We also had a brief call by Mr. W.A. Cannon, of the "cut off." > Esq. Uriah Tidwell, of the Little Warrior region, gave us a call, and >also kindly subscribed for the Herald. > > Our senior went last week in the vicinity of his former residence on Dry >Creek, and hearing there had been a post office recently established in the >neighborhood, went to see the postmaster. Dr. Ballinger, and while there >and thereabout, picked up 43 subscribers for the Herald, some of whom >declared they had never before taken a newspaper, and never would, had not >a representative of the Herald gone there. > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ALBLOUNT-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > >

The Blount County Herald was published at Bangor by Denis W.D. Boully and edited by W.H. Edwards and F.A. Hanna. Only one issue of this newpaper is known to exist. It is on microfilm in the Oneonta Court House. The paper is dated 4 Apr 1879. A contemporary newspaper, the Bangor Broad-Axe was run by Phillip Musgrove. Similarly, only one issue of the Broad-Axe is known to exist. All the rest have apparently been lost to time. F.A. (Francis Asberry) Hanna served the Confederacy in Company C of the 29th Alabama Infantry. Phillip Musgrove was Captain of Company C of the 12th Alabama Cavalry. In April of 1881, Hanna was murdered. He was sitting inside his house reading a newspaper by lamp or candle light with the front door open. Someone crept up outside and shot him with a rifle. He was taken back to the Hanna Family Cemetery near Hanceville for interment. Mathew's paper, The Blount County News, was in business in Blountsville in April 1881, but the issues which would have reported on the actual incident are missing. The 19 May 1881 issue reported James McAnnally was arrested and jailed at Blountsville and charged with complicity in the murder. McAnnally later posted a $2000 bond and was released. In May 1884, the News reported the case of the State vs. Willis McAnnally was called into court. Phillip Musgrove was investigated as a suspect involved with conspiracy to murder his newspaper competitor, but any charges were dismissed. In October, 1884, this note was found in the News: The trial of Dr. P.M. Musgrove and Wm. Musgrove, charged with the murder of F.A. Hanna, near Bangor in this County, came off last week in St. Clair County, where the venue had been changed. After a trial of three days and an exhaustive examination of witnesses, the verdict of the jury was "Not Guilty." In September, 1885, this note was found: The trial of Bud McAnnally, charged with the murder of Frank A. Hanna, has been again continued by the State. It was to have been tried in the Marshall Circuit Court on the 2d inst., and many of the witnesses passed through here on the 1st, on their way home. McAnnally was referred to as "James," "Willis," and "Bud." No other local newpaper reports were found concerning this Blount County murder mystery. It is not known for certain if McAnnally was the real killer. Although it involved a few well known men from Blount County, Hanna's murder remains one of Blount County's unsolved murders. Phillip Musgrove moved to Cullman not long after the incident. Hanna's younger brother, Lafayette Randolph Hanna, was a lawyer in Blountsville. Newspaper ink must have flowed through the Hanna boys veins. He, and two other prominent Blount Countians, Howell and Doyle, started "The Mineral Age" some time after the death of his brother, F.A. Hanna. Mathews, at the News, did not exactly welcome the competition and used his editorial column to deride the young upstart. In any event, the Mineral Age only lasted a few years. Mathews sarcastically eulogized the Mineral Age with this note in the 22 Oct 1885 issue of the News: In Memoriam. Died, at Blountsville, Ala., on Oct. 20th, 1885, in the hope of a glorious resurrection at Warrior, Ala., Miss Minner Alage, the adopted daughter of L.R. Hanna, Esq., a pretended philanthropist of this County. It had never any legitimate parentage, and was begotten in iniquity, and died of a slow starvation, a dose that he prepared for its neighbor, the Blount County News. The ways of God are inscrutable, and hypocrisy today, meets its true deserts as it did in the days of the Savior. The puny bantling was born at Chepultepec, Blount County, and was of very doubtful parentage, yet it was a sensitive thing, and told its adopted parent three weeks before its death, that it didn't want to live, for the following reasons, to-wit: "The County officers paid no attention to it! The Probate Judge snubbed it; the Sheriff only noticed it three or four times; the Circuit Clerk never tipped his hat to it; and the Register in Chancery totally ignored it." However, it had only one true and faithful friend, the Rev. Remus Murphree, a contributor, and one of the most worthless darkies in the State, who will preach its "Funeral" on November the 5th, the anniversary of Guy Fawks' plot to blow up the Lords and Commons of old England. But it has gone, gone forever! Yet its close financial career is known to the little boys of Blountsville, who often found it a difficult thing to collect a small but hard-earned fee from the management. Peace to its ashes! It has undoubtedly been done Brown so let it rip! >From the snow-clad hills of Maine to the marshes 'round Savannah, Everyone now knows what's the matter with poor Hannah! In March 1886, the News reported the Mineral Age was sold to Prof. S.A. Ellis and Rev. S.C. Davidson, who moved it to Warrior. L.R. Hanna was yet a young man when he contracted typhoid fever and died 20 Feb 1887. He was buried with Masonic honors in the New Lebanon (Blue Springs) Cemetery. A final note about Frank Hanna. In a June 1891 issue of the Blount County News-Dispatch, a traveling salesman, then known as a "drummer" sent a letter to the editor which mentions Hanna. His letter reads in part: I then bethought me of Frank Hanna, and on inquiry was told he is dead, "had been murdered, mysteriously, horribly murdered years ago." Frank was a social kind hearted companion and I could not but feel a great sorrow in not meeting him, and the terrible idea that he was murdered followed me whenever I went, and I caught myself dreamily wondering whether the spirits of murdered men forgive, and if I ever could believe in spooks and restless spirits I would certainly have thought he lingered 'round for I thought of him all day, and could almost see him as I saw him last-the picture of health. "Where then is the Musgrove family?" I asked, I am sure every one thought me a veritable Rip Van Winkle and I myself begun to look around for Synder. For "the Musgroves moved too, soon after Frank Hanna died." So what of the 4 Apr 1879 issue of The Blount County Herald? Here are a few transcriptions: On the 27th inst., Mr. Jas. Scott, of Jefferson co., was married to Miss Ellen Milner, of Blount, at the residence of the bride's father, Mr. Henry Milner, near Chepultepec. After the ceremonies were over the guests were invited to a table well filled with the luxuries of life, to which they did ample justice. Blountsville, Ala., March 28, 1879. Eds. Herald--Since my last, two, if not more, heavy rains have fallen here, and hen came a frost after; but, so far as I am informed, it did no harm. The prospect is good for fruit--peaches, plums and apples. Wheat promises an abundant crop. The last two or three days two or three days have been rather warm, and our neighbors engaged in farming have taken advantage of the time and planted their corn, and prepared to plant cotton by planting guano in some instances. The outlook is good for a crop, especially wheat, and especially Mr. Wooten's, which is said to be the finest in this community. By the way, Jim is one of the best farmers in the county, being careful always to prepare well and thoroughly his soil before planting. No one in this section succeeds better than Wooten. Uncle Dan McPherson is on a visit to Blountsville to see his son-in-law, Mr. Wooten. Although his head is white with the frosts of 78 winters, and he afflicted with old age, yet Uncle Dan "spins a yarn" and cracks a joke with as much zest as when in the prime of life. He is quite old, but always good-humored and cheerful, and seems to enjoy his declining years as much as any aged person. A better citizen than Uncle Dan is not in Blount. About 350 to 400 motrgages have been recorded and filed for record in the probate's office up to this time, and still the mortgage for supplies. Many more will yet be filed for corn and meat. Herein is another potent answer to the question, What causes the hard times? Will we never learn to produce our corn and meat in this county? After the immense quantity of guano, corn and bacon shipped and sold here to the farmers is paid for next winter, how much will they have left of their crops? Just about enough to do till Christmas, when they must again give a lien to get supplies. Scribe. Died, on the 29th ult., at the residence of her son, in this county, Mrs. Jenkins, aged 83 years. We learn that the jail at Blountsville was broken on last Wednesday and the prisoners made good their escape. The free use of a hand-saw and chisel enabled them to make their exit. We had a short and pleasant call this week by Drs. Willoughby and Drennen, of Arkadelphia. We also had a brief call by Mr. W.A. Cannon, of the "cut off." Esq. Uriah Tidwell, of the Little Warrior region, gave us a call, and also kindly subscribed for the Herald. Our senior went last week in the vicinity of his former residence on Dry Creek, and hearing there had been a post office recently established in the neighborhood, went to see the postmaster. Dr. Ballinger, and while there and thereabout, picked up 43 subscribers for the Herald, some of whom declared they had never before taken a newspaper, and never would, had not a representative of the Herald gone there.