Early Governors' Papers

Sparta April 3^d 1827

Dear Sir

On sunday night the 1^st of this instant there was three prisoners broke out of our Jail and made their escape so far as yet their names and Crimes are as follows to wt Robert E Lowry is Charged for the Murder of John Anderson of this county & is thought to be a very agrivated [sic] offence

Willis Mullins has been found Gilty [sic] of the Murder of a Certain Henry Ridley of Jackson County & appealed from the Judgement of the Circuit Court to the Supream [sic] Court held at Sparta & has had a hearing in said Court two of the Judges gave their Opinions in his case ^one in Confirmation of the Judgement below & the other was for Granting a new trial. Judge Catron sus =pended his Opinion untill [sic] the next Term of the Supream [sic] Court -

Jeremiah W Beshears Was Tried at our last Term of the Circuit Court for the Murder of Putiman Jones & Was found Gilty [sic] of Man Slaughtitor [sic] & Was sentenced to be branded and imprisoned 7 Months - he has recieved his brand and about one Month of his imprisonment -

Robert E Lowry is a man about ^40 years of age six feet high rather slim built of particular Noticed one of his eyes is larger than the other inclined to be Ball [sic] headed Very heavy eye brows - his eys [sic] smartly sunk and Stone Mason by Occupation had on dark Janes Clothing

Willis Mullins is about 28 or 30 years of age and is the same that has broke out of Gainsborough & Monrow Jails he is Very Corpulant of his age has blue eyes

Jeremiah W Beshears is about 35 years Od 6 feet 3 inches high slim built & a thin Visage light Coulored [sic] or sandy Hair

It is supposed that those men may make for the Texes [sic]

This is the best discription [sic] that I am now able to make being done in a hasty manner - The Jailor of this County offers $125 Reward 50$ a piece for Lowery & Mullins & 25$ for Beshears

Your Excelency [sic] Will cause suuch [sic] other Steps to be taken as Will comport With the Laws of the State

To Gov. W^m Carroll Nashville

John Jett Shff White County

Since Writing the above ^this Letter put in the post office Robert E. Lowry came back & gave himself up and is now in Jail Lowery says Mullins Will aim for the Texes [sic]

John Jett Shff

J. Jett Sheriff of White County. April 3. 1827. In regard to the escape of Robt Lowery from Jail.

Sparta T April 5

12 ^1/2

Gov. William Carroll Nashville Ten

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