Early Governors' Papers

Williamson April 19^th 1807

Sir

We the undersigned Commissioners by [page damaged] of an act of the General assembly of the State of Tennessee directing a road to be laid of the nearest and most direct way from the Town of Franklin- to the Tombigby [sic] by the way of the Mussalae shoals [sic] [page damaged] agreeable to that act proceeded [sic] to [page damaged] of and mark the same a plat wherof [sic] is hereto anexed [sic] the nearest and most direct way as far as the Mussalae shoals [sic] at whict [sic] prace [sic] we were stopped by the Indians we have the honour to be your most Obdt Servts

Joseph B. Porter James Neelly John Hawkins

(Map of Mussle Shoals)

were severely injured by sticks. In an instant after the horrid deed was perpetuated, Augustine Blackburn Hardin, mounted his horse with a loaded pistol in each hand, and precipitately made his escape. Franklin Hardin was seized by a reputable citizen & was rescued at the point of a loaded pistol by his brother Watson Hardin. Diligent pursuit has been made after them but they have not yet been taken. Swan Hardin, Watson Hardin & William Hardin have been arrested and are now in close jail at Columbia- where they will proba= =bly remain & await the just sentence of the law. After an outrage like this, seldom equalled even the savage state, much less in a country like this, where it our pride and our boast that we live in a land of laws- and the offending notwithstanding the vigilance and great reaction of the community to apprehend & bring them to Justice, have escaped, We submit to your Excellency the propriety of offering a suitable reward on the part of the state- to have the said Augustine Blackburn Hardin & Franklin Hardin taken and delivered up to the officers of Justice. Maj^r Joseph B. Porter the father of one of the unfortunate young men who was slain has offered a reward of $300. for their apprehension. An indignant com= =munity have voluntarily subscribed upwards of $1200.- for the same purpose,- and if deemed proper by your excellency and within your power, we confidently appeal to your unbiased judgment and well known character as a pubic officer & submit entirely to you the course you may think proper to pursue. We may say we believe with

truth that a whole community who were acquainted with their virtues, mourn the loss of the two young men who were slain. They were young men of promise and much esteemed by all who knew them. Porter has left his aged parents & a numerous train of relatives to lament his untimely death; Williamson a widowed mother & her large family of children overwhelmed with grief. We enclose you one of Major Porters advertisements containing a description of the two who have escaped. -

Columbia Oct 8^th 1825

Wm Pillow G. M. Martin Edw^d M Ford M. D. Cooper J. C. Hill Wilson White Saml Cauthers John Ferrel Hugh Douglas C. J. Noyes Ch^r Ford Alexander Ferris G Gallagher M. Rhea P. R. Booker

James K. Polk John [?] [Showp?] Thos White E. B. Dooley H O B. Newsum Joseph Hart Abner Pillow Jas C OReilly David Martin Saml M. Dorrel Robert Calvert P. Nelson David dugger

Indictment

State of Tennessee Maury County, Court of pleas and quarter Sessions Be it remembered That at July Term of 1820 of said Court the following Bill of Indictment was returned into Court by the Grand Jury in the words and figures following (To wit)

Maury County Court of pleas and quarter Sessions, July Term 1820. The Grand jury of the State of Tennessee, elected empanelled Sworn and charged; to enquire for the Body of the County of Maury aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid do Say, that heretofore (To wit) on the first day of January Eighteen hundred and twenty Alfred Wallis, of said County [illegible], with force and Arms, in the County of Maury aforesaid, did feloniously Steal take and carry away, one half pound of Coffee, of the value of twenty five Cents; the property, and proper goods and Chattels, of Joseph Brown, and John T Brown, then and there being, Contrary to form of the Statute in such cases made and provided and against the peace and Dignity of the State.

Robert L. Cobbs Solicitor General of the ninth Solicitorial District of the State of Tennessee

John T. Brown Prosecutor

Endorsed

State vs Alfred Wallis

Indicment Petit Larceny John Knox Sworn and Sent to the Grand Jury Joseph B. Porter Clerk

A true Bill John T. Moore foreman of the Grand jury Charged in proper person and pleads not guilty [illegible] whereupon the following entry was made upon the common minuty of Court in the words and figures following To Wit

State vs Alfred Wallis

Indicment for Petit Larceny

This day came as well the Solicitor General for the State as the defendant in proper person and the Bill of Indictment being read to and

in hearing of said Defendant he pleads not Guilty thereto and for his trial puts himself upon the Country and the Solicitor general likewise Whereupon came a jury of good and lawful men To wit Paris F. Dooley, John Money, Robert G. Kelsey, John C. Waddill, Elijah Harlin, James Sellars, Edmund P. Waddill, Nathan^l Chears, Richard C Harris, Alexander Moore, Joseph [Tour?], & Alexander Cathey, who being Elected tried and Sworn well and truly to try the issue of this Traverse Between the State and the Said Defendant upon their oath Do Say that the Said Defendant is guilty as in the Bill of Indictment against him is alleged and they further find the Coffee Stolen was worth twenty five Cents. Therefore it is con =sidered by the Court that the Said Defendant receive on his Bare Back at the whipping post ten lashes well laid on by the Sheriff of the County Between the hours of One and two oclock on Saturday the 12th of August next and that he pay the costs of this prosecution and be made infamous agreeably to act of assembly in Such Cases, from which judgment the Defendant prays an appeal from the honorable the Circuit Court for Maury County which is granted and not being able to give [Security?] is prayed into the Custody of the Sheriff and by order of the Court is taken into custody accordingly

State of Tennessee Maury County Court

July Term 1820 I Joseph B. Porter Clerk of Said Court do certify that the foregoing is a true copy (in substance) of the proceedings had in this Court in the above Case of the State vs Alfred Wallis as appears of Record in my office, except a Bill of the Costs

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name at office the 29^th Day of July 1820 Joseph B. Porter clerk MC