[this is a prime example of how things were in the aftermath of the CW, martial law, and reconstruction. A majority of southern newspapers either succumbed or were taken over by the radical government. The St. John fellow mentioned in this article lived in Bradley County and was sympathetic to the radical government. He said that the KKK tore all the boards off his house in order to kill him. A group of five men living near St. John told the newspaper that they couldn't find a board missing from his house.] October 20, 1868: Says the Pine Bluff Republican of the 17th: "The report published in yesterday's Republican of the horrible murder of the deputy sheriff and a colored man in Drew County has been fully corroborated by the following statement in the Monticello Guardian (dem.) of the 10th." The way it is is "fully corroborated," is shown by the following from the paper referred to which is given editorial prominence, and is supposed by the ravenous editor of the radical organ to be conclusive on the subject for the very substantial reason evidently that it is desirable that it should conclude that way: "Reports as yet are somewhat conflicting and may be stated in general terms as follows: W. G. Dollar, while acting as deputy constable in the service of summoning certain parties, was forcibly seized at the house of Mr. Tom Grubbs in Veasy township by a party of ten or twelve men, and carried into the woods not far distant. He was shot through the head, together with a negro man, Fed Reeves, residing in the same neighborhood," etc. Although reports are "somewhat conflicting" they are accepted as conclusive and the following comments elicited: " The same old story that has accompanied the murder of every union man that has been killed in this state during the past four months". Just so. The same old story that somebody has been hurt, and strange to say, nobody but those who derive tangible benefit from it knows anything about it. Strange indeed if these reports were true, that with an army stationed in our state, the peace offices in the hands of "trooly loll" men, and with the thorough system of espionage provided at state expense, no one can be caught and brought to justice. It is remarkable that the past three or four years' continuance of this wholesale slaughter of "union men," has failed to afford a victim for the hangman or a candidate for the penitentiary. "The mind stands appalled in contemplating these scenes of horror, and the condition of anarchy, bloodshed and confusion into which the country is rapidly drifting!" It does indeed. The ghostly St. John and mutilated Wheeler (both alive and well) who have once been martyrs to principle and suffered cruel "assassination?! (please furnish evidences of the appalling picture.) Both have acquired a wide reputation for their steadfastness to the union and the advantages accruing in consequence to themselves personally, and to the success of the reconstruction measures, by which it is sought to place eleven great states in the hands of the radical party, furnishes the only clue to the mystery. The eagerness with which the radical press seizes on this method to advance their private and party interests is patent to all.

Could you please send me a full copy of this article? I'd like to see if there is anymore mention of the Tom Grubbs. I'm thinking that is probably Thomas W. Grubbs, my ggggrand-grandfather. Names and dates are great but I really love stuff like this that adds a personality to them. Thanks. Cherub Alford ----- Original Message ----- From: bjw To: ARDREW-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 1:40 PM Subject: [ARDREW] AR Gazette [this is a prime example of how things were in the aftermath of the CW, martial law, and reconstruction. A majority of southern newspapers either succumbed or were taken over by the radical government. The St. John fellow mentioned in this article lived in Bradley County and was sympathetic to the radical government. He said that the KKK tore all the boards off his house in order to kill him. A group of five men living near St. John told the newspaper that they couldn't find a board missing from his house.] October 20, 1868: Says the Pine Bluff Republican of the 17th: "The report published in yesterday's Republican of the horrible murder of the deputy sheriff and a colored man in Drew County has been fully corroborated by the following statement in the Monticello Guardian (dem.) of the 10th." The way it is is "fully corroborated," is shown by the following from the paper referred to which is given editorial prominence, and is supposed by the ravenous editor of the radical organ to be conclusive on the subject for the very substantial reason evidently that it is desirable that it should conclude that way: "Reports as yet are somewhat conflicting and may be stated in general terms as follows: W. G. Dollar, while acting as deputy constable in the service of summoning certain parties, was forcibly seized at the house of Mr. Tom Grubbs in Veasy township by a party of ten or twelve men, and carried into the woods not far distant. He was shot through the head, together with a negro man, Fed Reeves, residing in the same neighborhood," etc. Although reports are "somewhat conflicting" they are accepted as conclusive and the following comments elicited: " The same old story that has accompanied the murder of every union man that has been killed in this state during the past four months". Just so. The same old story that somebody has been hurt, and strange to say, nobody but those who derive tangible benefit from it knows anything about it. Strange indeed if these reports were true, that with an army stationed in our state, the peace offices in the hands of "trooly loll" men, and with the thorough system of espionage provided at state expense, no one can be caught and brought to justice. It is remarkable that the past three or four years' continuance of this wholesale slaughter of "union men," has failed to afford a victim for the hangman or a candidate for the penitentiary. "The mind stands appalled in contemplating these scenes of horror, and the condition of anarchy, bloodshed and confusion into which the country is rapidly drifting!" It does indeed. The ghostly St. John and mutilated Wheeler (both alive and well) who have once been martyrs to principle and suffered cruel "assassination?! (please furnish evidences of the appalling picture.) Both have acquired a wide reputation for their steadfastness to the union and the advantages accruing in consequence to themselves personally, and to the success of the reconstruction measures, by which it is sought to place eleven great states in the hands of the radical party, furnishes the only clue to the mystery. The eagerness with which the radical press seizes on this method to advance their private and party interests is patent to all. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.0/167 - Release Date: 11/11/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.0/167 - Release Date: 11/11/2005