Clarkeville, Ten. June 2
Committed to the jail of this county on Monday evening last, Jacob Pickering and Stewart W. Thornton, for the murder of Elijah Garney. The circumstances which led to this horrid deed are as follows: Garney had been confined at Springfield jail for stealing a bank note, and Pickering (the jailer) took him out to work, which he did for some short time, but getting disgusted with the treatment he received, and probably fearing the effect of the law, made his escape. He was however apprehended in this county, and lodged in the jail of this place.
On last Monday week Pickering and Thornton came for Garney and started with him for Springfield, hand cuffed and with a rope round his neck; after going 8 or 10 miles, the prisoner complained of being weary, upon which they beat him unmercifully, and in a manner dragged him after them for several miles farther, where they murdered him in a most shocking and barbarous manner, by beating and stabbing him. Under a dread of its being found out, they reported that Garney runaway, for whom they pretended to be hunting. On a supposition that Garney was killed the citizens adjacent to the place hunted for him, and about two hundred yards from the road found him, mangled in a cruel manner. No doubt can exist of their being guilty.
The Centinel, Gettysburg, PA, September 12, 1810 - suibmitted by Nancy Piper
