Atlanta Constitution, Georgia
31 December 1889
At Their Old Work Again
The Barnard Family Watching for an Enemy
Knoxville, Tenn., December 30 -- At the last term of the Tennessee supreme
court, held at Knoxville, the five BARNARDs were convicted of the murder
of Henry SUTTON and sentenced to be hanged. The case attracted wide
attention, especially as in a few weeks all were pardoned by the governor
of the state. A few days ago three of BARNARDS and Bill FULGATE, who
boasts of having killed six men, went to the house of Sampson WILLIAMS,
father-in-law of the murdered man, with the determination of killing him.
Fortunately he was away. On his way he fled to Sneedville, the county
seat, for protection. The BARNARDs are camping at a distillery near the
Williams house with homicidal intention. County officers are taking steps
to arrest them, and this will certainly lead to a bloody battle. The scene
is miles away from the telegraph line and in the heart of the Cumberland
mountains. In Hancock, in the last twenty years, over fifty men have been
killed and not one murderer executed.
Death of Mr. J. M. Lee
Dalton, GA, December 30 -- Special -- J. M. LEE, a prominent citizen of
Walker County died at Thomasville of consumption. Mr. LEE was proprietor
of the well known Crawfish Springs, and has been well known throughout this
section for many years. His remains were brought to Crawfish Springs for
interment today.
Attempted Assassination
A Bullet Sent Whistling by Mrs. Knowles's Head
Macon, GA, December 30 -- Special -- Last night a fiendish attempt was
made to murder Mrs. Mary A. KNOWLES, a highly respected widow, who lives at
865 Third street. She was sitting in her room reading, when suddenly she
was strtled by the loud report of a pistol near her, and she heard the
bullet whistle right by her head and lodge in the side of the wall
opposite. The room also filled with smoke.
Investigation showed that someone had climbed up on a fence near Mrs.
KNOWLES's window and fired through the window at her. Why anyone should
wish to assassinate Mrs. KNOWLES is a mystery.
On Saturday night she heard someone trying to force an entrance into her
house through a back door, and on making an examination, she saw a negro
man hurrying from the house. It is thought that he is the same person who
tried to murder her last night. Mrs. KNOWLES remarked at a neighboring
store a few days ago that her son sent her fifty dollars for a Christmas
present, and some negro may have overheard her remark, and was trying to
get the money.
Will Remove to Brunswick
Macon, GA, December 30 -- Special -- It is reported that Mr. Charlie
ELLS, a well-known citizen of macon, will remove to Brunswick and establish
a terra cotta works and pottery. Mr. ELLS is a man of means and will, no
doubt, do well in Brunswick, if the report of his removal is true.
Mrs. Longstreet Dead
A Distinguished Georgia Lady Passes Away
Gainesville, GA, December 30 -- Special -- The queen city of the
mountains mourns over the death of Mrs. Maria Louise LONGSTREET, consort of
General James LONGSTREET, who passed peacefully away last evening at nine
o'clock, at the Piedmont hotel, in this city, surrounded by her husband and
her loving children.
Mrs. LONGSTREET has been confined to her room several months and bore her
suffering patiently and with Christian resignation. She was a lady of rare
and varied accomplishments, and in her death Gainesville loses a bright
ornament in society. Her maiden name was GARLAND, a daughter of General
John GARLAND, of the United States army, and a distinguished citizen of
Virginia. She was born on the 16th day of March, 1827, at Fort Snelling,
Minn., and was married to General LONGSTREET in Lynchburg, VA, on March
8th, 1848. She accompanied the general while engaged in the Mexican war.
She was not unaccustomed to rumors of war or the din and smoke of battle
for she was near to the general while his sword gleamed for four long years
in defense of his country during the civil war. Prior to this time she was
on the frontier with her husband, where he was engaged fighting Indians.
She leaves five children - four sons, John Garland, Robert Lee, James and
Randolph, and one daughter, Lula. Alta Vista cemetery will be her last
resting place, where her remains will be interred tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
He Was Despondent
And Sent a Bullet Crashing Through His Brain
Athens, GA, December 30 -- Special -- Oconee county had a sad suicide on
Saturday. Mr. John RIDGEWAY, Jr., a few days since had a misunderstanding
with his father in regard to some of his financial affairs, and became
very much aggrieved over it. He then got on a Christmas spree and drank
heavily. Saturday morning he went to a store in Oconee county, and while
there began drinking again. He told a friend named MCGEHEE that when he
heard a pistol shot to come and get his body, and with the remark he
started off. MCGEHEE thought he was jesting, but he was soon convinced
otherwise by the clear report of the pistol.
He hurried forward and found RIDGEWAY with a great hole through his head
where the deadly bullet had done its work. RIDGEWAY died in a short
while. Mr. RIDGEWAY's parents are among the most respected citizens of
Oconee county.
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