xt7q5717mh1j https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7q5717mh1j/data/mets.xml Pennington, Edward Alonzo, 1811-1846 1896  books b92hv6248p46p46018962009 English Pembroke Review Print : Pembroke, Ma. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Davis, Simon, d. 1845. Criminals --United States --Biography. Murderers --United States --Biography. The life, flight, capture, trial and execution, of Edward Alonzo Pennington, the murderer of Simon Davis. text The life, flight, capture, trial and execution, of Edward Alonzo Pennington, the murderer of Simon Davis. 1896 2009 true xt7q5717mh1j section xt7q5717mh1j 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   THE LIFE, FLIGHT, CAPTURE,

TRIAL AND EXECUTION

OF

EDWARD ALONZO PENNINGTON,

THE MURDERER OF SIMON DAVIS.

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Pembroke Review Print, 1890. 
   PREFACE.

The life, flight, capture, trial and execution of Edward Alonzo Pennington for the murder of Simon Davis was first published in book form in 1S46. It was next published in The Pembroke Review in serial form. The old books disappearing and having many calls for the narrative in a condensed shape, we concluded to issue this book. The crime and punishment of Pennington was the first murder and legal hanging in Christian county. ]

 
   SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF E. A. PENNINGTON.

For the materials, from which we have compiled the following Drief and rapid sketch of the life, morals, and acts of our hero, we are indebted to the obliging kindness of M. Edward Dulin.   This gentle-lan was well acquainted with Pennington. They were reared in the ^aine county and neighborhood, were school mates, room mates, and May mates, and consequently Mr. Dulin's opportunity to know and jnderstand the character and disposition 01 the subject of our pen, was puch as entitles his narration to our respectful consideration ; while his handing in the community, of which he is a member, is a guarantee for j>ur faith.

It is not our design to record a minute and circumstantial history of i'ennington, this would indeed prove a herculean task, and tax too Leverely the patience of our readers. We propose merely to record a lew prominent facts, by the aid of which a just and correct idea may be formed of the true character of the man. ("For this purpose a few well frstatilished and Midisputable facts will serve as effectually as a regular Bid connected history of all the varied and checkered events, which go |o make up the sum and substance of an individual's character. "Words Ire leaves; deeds are fruit."/ A concise relation of this kind as plainly Indicates the bent and inclination of the mind, and as satisfactorily Istablishes the general character of a man, as a more detailed account of pis whole course of life, for the latter but develops the same general principles and features modified by the varied circumstances that give pjri.li to his different and multiplied actions. ( As this is all aimed at in [he following remarks, we shall "nothing extenuate, nor set down aught malice." )

(There always exists in the public mind a desire, which is both readable and proper, to know something of the previous and early history If an individual whose acts have rendered him notorious, whether such kotoriety be the result of his good or evil deeds. When convicted of )me heinous offense, as in the present instance, the probability of his halt or innocence will be enhanced or diminished, according as his larly associations, habits, and education point to this or that conclusion. )

from his previous history we learn that, at a very early and impress-ve period of life, he was exposed to the influence of associations, which Ire calculated to sear the tender conscience, demoralize man's nature, lorrupt the affections, familiarize with guilt, and harden the heart for ae commission of crims; our faith in his innocence, when circum-Jtances have connected him with the perpetration of an outrageous Iffense, will be proportionably weak and doubtful. One whose youth las been passed in the midst of wickedness and crime, whose evil propensities have been strengthened by indulgence, and whose companions 
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are graduates in vice, is pretty sure to become an educated, and accoJ plished villain* and will be prepared for the execution of any purpii a vile, malicious, and avaricious heart may suggest. Such a naturl when united to a strong, vigorous, and active intellect, as in the cal of Pennington, renders its possessor capable of conceiving and execl ting well connected and extensive plans of villainy. Unsusceptible any noble or generous emotions, such a man is admirably fitted to come a master spirit among the depraved, to shape the actions of othel so as to obey his will and purposes, and usually accomplishes his enl by the most crafty and inscrutable means. Thus he goes on from oJ degree of wickedness to another, daily and hourly improving in t:| knowledge of guilt and crime. Long impunity renders him bold, t repeated escapes inspire him with confidence, until, having filled up ti| measure of his iniquities, some insufficiently guarded act places him the power of that even handed justice, whose high commands he I hitherto contemned, and so flagrantly, so repeatedly violated.

But that we may not lengthen out this work to an inconvenient ar| unnecessary size, we proceed without further introduction to the suj ject matter.

( Edward Alonzo Pennington, the person of whom we speal was born in Christian county, in the State of Kentucky, some time ii 1811. Christian county is situated in the Green River country, a son tion rich in resources and minerals. It is the great thoroughfare f>j Western emigrants, and possesses great conveniences for water cominil nication in all possible directions. At the period of Alonzo's birth hil father resided on the farm, now the property and residence of one Mr| McFaddin, a lady of whom mention is made on the trial. This farm i situated about seventeen miles northeast from Hopkinsville, in a rougll broken country, the successful cultivation of which is greatly impairel by the frequent sinks common to this portion of the State.}

V   Old man Pennington was a Justice of the Peace, then Sheriff, an] subsequently offered himself as a candidate to represent the county i the Legislature.

( For the education of his children, he engaged   the  services of private teacher, which situation was at one time filled by a Mr. Mcl Faddin, and at ano her by Mr. Thomas V. Morrow.   While the lattel gentleman resided at old man Pennington's, he unavoidably witnessei many things calculated to awaken suspicions that all was not right, ol as it should be.   Persons, with whom he had no acquaintance, cr onli knew by name, frequently came after nightfall, bringing   witli then! horses, and both men and horses disappeared again before day. VVhencal they came or whither they went, Mr. Morrow could not satisfactorily ascertain.   These mysterious transactions determined him to leave tbi family, which he accordingly did, and he even went so far as to get upl a petition setting forth reasons why the office of Sheriff should be del nied old man Pennington, but his efforts were not begun soon enougtl 
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to prove successful, farther than to gain him. the everlasting displeasure of his quondam employer. J

Under such circumstances, it is not at ail surprising that Alonzo should, at a very early and tender period, give intimations of a depraved mind and heart; consequently we find his youth distinguished by a propensity for low tricks, base deceits, debasing frauds, and an utter contempt and disregard for truth and honesty. His companions were to be found in that class of boys whose dispositions accorded with his own, while he sedulously avoided those of nobler aims and purposes. He was frequently detected in petty thelts, and bigjies, and his courage was of that cautious and prudent nature; which seldom exposes its owner to much physical suffering. While boarding at Mr. Dulin's, as a pupil of one Mr. Evans, in more advanced youth, he would employ agents to affect his wicked and malicious ends, not daring to appear himself in the matter. On one occasion he instigated a lad to cut in pieces a coat belonging tc a son of Mr. Dulin, in order to gratify his feeling of revenge and jealousy. Injuries of this class and characterise would unblushingly perpetrate, and seemed to derive peculiar gratification in slandering and defaming spotless reputations, especially those of young ladies who manifested a repugnance to his society. He also manifested, at this early period, that spirit of covetousriess which, in after life, urged him on to the commission of the most daring acts, to invest himself with possessions naught but crime could acquire. Even Ju his school boy's days, those hours that are usually so free from guile, when the young heart is full of hope and brotherly affection, and the generous feelings are in healthy exercise, this individual was cherishing the worst passions of fallen nature, and educating them for deeds of darkness an J horror. His increase in crime kept pace with his growth in years; aye, it may be said to have outstripped his years', for Pennington was one of those precocious geniuses, whose development is rapid and wonderful. When about eighteen or twenty years old, Alonzo furnished a pretty sure indication ot that policy which governed his after lite, and gave a fair display of that tact and ingenuity for which he was so deservedly renowned, and which on many occasions came to his aid, and was his only succor in dangerous and difficult situations; forfjt was a remarkable characteristic of the man to accomplish his ends and purposes by means and agencies others would scarcely have conceived, and to escape from perils which to most others seemed unavoidable. )

The case is as follows, and constitutes one of the first in(a long and varied series of cHsJiQjjest and artful exploits.) An Irishman, by the name of McGuifin, owened a very fine stallion. He selected as stands the house of F. P. Pennington, (Alonzo's father,) Col. S. D. B. Stewart (Alonzo's brother-in-law) and that of M. H. Allen, or, according to some, one Mr. Clarke.1"' It was the earnest desire of Alonzo to get this horse into his own possession, which by various means he endeavored 
   to effect, but hitherto without success.   To accomplish his purpose associated with himself one Vance, and they two, others are suspect' matured a scheme of very cunning design and delicate execution. 0 Sabbath evening, this man Vance and Alonzo Pennington came to li Clarke's and enquired for McGuffin.   Alonzo had a bandage about face, ^nd complained of tooth-ache.   He prevailed on this Irishman accompany him to Col. Stewart's on business as he-said.   Shortly af they arirved, Pennington feigned to be taken worse, whereupon an a plication of hot salt was recommended.   Accordingly two small ba were prepared, one of which was filled with salt, the other with ash-That which contained the salt was first applied, and   while McGui was looking on, the bag filled with ashes was in the mean time plac on the hearth near the fire, for the purpose of keeping it warm. I exchange of bags was affected in the presence of McGuffin,  wit hoi however, his knowledge of the fact.   Pennington complained that tl ashes were hot.   McGuffin corrected him, and remarked that it w salt, not ashes, upon which Alonzo offered to bet the bag did in reali: contain ashes.   Not aware of the exchange of bags, both of which Mi Guffin supposed were filled with salt, he proffered to bet   his hors Alonzo remarked he had nothing of equal value to stake against th animal.   Vance then put up a certain sum of money, and Stewart tec dered on the part of Pennington, a negro woman with one or two : her children.   The stakes being now arranged, the bag was emptii and found to contain ashes.   Poor McGuffin, the dupe of this precoi certed fraud, was much mortified at his loss ; but before he had time I think on the subject, one Hoskins was hastily sent off to take the hors to Russellville, out of McGuffin's reach.   In a day  or   two   after thi occurrence, seeing the distress of the poor Irishman, and  provoked a the combined fraud practiced upon him, David Myers proposed goin with McGuffin, to recover the possession of his horse.   Their missio proved successful, the horse was regained,   but   tearing   some injury McGuffin settled up his business and departed the country ; since whic! time he has never been heard of, nor from.

It is somewhat a singular coincidence that one of the very first an last acts of fraud and violence, perpetrated by this man, Pennington, should have selected for their respective victims a son of the Emerald Isle.   Was it the result of unmeaning chance ?

( Alonzo Pennington was frequently concerned in stealing negroes, or kidnapping, one or two instances of which, out of many, we will record. )

(A man by the name of Brown lost some negroes, and suspected Pennington of being concerned in their abduction, as he had now become an object of pretty general distrust and suspicion.) While making inquiry into the matter, he was informed, by one Sisk, that the negroes were at Pennington's, and Sisk proposed to go with him to regain them.   They accordingly went in company, and on their arrival at 
   Uonzo's fence, Sisk made a peculiar whistle, at which signal the negroes came, but seeing their master, Mr. Brown, turned and fled. Sisk ired off the gun which he held in his hand, which Brown supposed vas a signal for his own destruction, and thereupon he fled. \S

Some short time after this Brown was shot at a neighbor's house, |tvhere he was spending the evening, being struck with several balls, lis death was very opportune for Pennington, as he had brought suit against him for the negroes, and was the only witness to swear to their being at Alonzo's house. By what or whose agency his death was kvrought is a matter of suspicion only. ^

One instance more we will notice. There belonged to the estate of a Mr. Groves several negroes, who were under the care and direction af Squire Tones, guardian of the heirs. While hired out these servants Isuddenly disappeared. Vance, who formerly lived in the neighborhood   f Pennington, and~who was one of his intimate companions, had Inarried and settled near Nashville, Tennessee. Owing to some difference, this man, Vance, and a near neighbor were at outs, as it is termed. |An old negro woman, who conceived herself to be harshly treated by    Vance, or the family in which she was staying disclosed the whole    matter to his neighbor, confiding to him her own name and that of her {children. This individual wrote to Squire Jones, imparting the infor-Imation he received from the negro, hut did not subscribe his name, for Hear that he would be visited with some injury should the letter be [intercepted, or his agency discovered. The letter, however, fell into (the proper hands. Squire Jones acted in accoedance with its suggestions, and regained the property. The matter was hushed up by means lof Pennington's friends, so that he was not prosecuted for the offense. IThese occurrences took place during Pennington's residence in Mhul-lenburg county. Is

On account of the frequent losses in property of this description, land other depredations committed on them, the citizens of that county, aided by those of the circumjacent ones, formed a company of Regulators, the object of which was to apprehend and bring to justice offenders against the laws, and drive off such as were known to be rascals, but whose craftiness and cunning enabled them to escape detection, and consequent punishment.   Through fear of their operations, and knowing that he was an object of distrust and suspicion, Pennington moved to Hopkius county, and established himself there for  a  year or two, perhaps several years.   During all this period there existed a company of horse thieves and counterfeiters, whose   operations and association ; were believed to extend throughout (the   whole of  the   Western and I Southwestern States, among whom Alonzo Pennington was thought to ; be a leading man."} His rapid growth in property, without any particular or special occupation, and his known intimacy with the suspected members of this audacious gang, all of whom were familiar at his board, : and who used his house as a stopping place, gave strength to the sus-

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   picion.   But we must pass on to other matters and things.

The next circumstance in the history of our hero, which we will mention, is the "Box Affair," as it is called. This was an ingenious fraud, and, one in which Alonzo was deeply implicated. Doubtless he was the originator and inventor of the deceit. It was a scheme which addressed itself to the cupidity of individuals under the insidious veil of speculation, and was so planned as to render the purchaser implicated to a certain extent, and in a certain manner. The danger and certainty of exposure was thus artfully avoided and averted.

Boxes of different sizes and capacities were provided, and filled with some weighty substance, which the vendor represented to contain genuine silver coin. The amount was branded or marked on the outside of each box. This coin was said to have been moulded from an ore obtained near the Rocking Cave, a place whose location we have not been able to ascertain, and is supposed only to exist in the fancy. A company was formed for the purpose of working this mine, and had proceHed at much toil and expenditure of means to coin the metal into money, before they ascertained that it was an unlawful act. To save themselves the outlay, as far as practicable, they offered to sell the coin at one half its real value. This they were compelled to do secretly, and enjoin the same caution on the purchaser. By such representations many credulous persons, stimulated and pricked on by a thirst for gain, became purchasers.   To render the deception more   perfect, good and

1/_gejiuine_cpin was taken from a similar box and exhibited as a sample.

This device put to flight all doubts. A brother-in-law of Pennington became the purchaser of two boxes.   In the first instance he was taken

V-" by one Richard Bunch to a private and secret place in a body of woods. There, near an old tree, and covered with leaves, he was shown a box, with the imposing mark of six hundred dollars, which was offered to him for three hundred dollars They then withdrew, and he paid the required sum of three hundred dollars. On returning to take possession of his purchase, the spot was found, but the box was gone,  nor did he

V ever see the box or the vendor after that. He told the circumstance to Pennington, and remarked that he was determined to buy a second declaring that he would not be defrauded again, but would have the box at all hazzards. Alonzo informed him where he could purchase another, and accompanied his brother-in-law to some point on the Ohio, where he introduced him to an individual who had them for sale.

As at first, he was conducted to a private place in the woods, the box was exhibited, also some good coin of the same denomination, and he became a second time a purchaser. He grasped his property, mounted his horse, and after a hasty ride of a few miles, dismounted to examine his treasure.   His mortification was extreme,   when, breaking

V open the box, it revealed a few pieces of counterfeit money, an old ax, I/'   a worn out grubbing hoe, and sand.

Pennington and several others played off a similar trick on a young 
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man, a citizen of Hopkinsville. ^

Such was the celebrated "box affair," about which so much has been said, and which made a considerable noise for the time in that section of the country of which we now speak. But this was 6nly one of the many irons Pennington was heating and working off at one and the same time, j

Such frequent and daring impositions, and the breaking open of a store in Greenville., excited the citizens of a   portion   of   Hopkins and

Mhulenburg, who again formed a company of Regulators, to search out and apprehend the scoundrels who practiced these villainies. Seeing that Pennington and his associates escaped punishment when brought to trial, by their secrecy and the facility with which evidence in their favor was procured, this company arrested Alonzo, administered, some wholesome advice, and ordered him to leave the county within a specified time. This order being unheeded, he was a second time arrested, and would have been hung, but for the interposition of some influential persons, file wisely concluded 10 act upon this latter hint, as delay now seemed dangerous, and accordingly moved over to Christian county. Here he located himself near the sinks of Little River, which, on account of its rough borken features, appeared well adapted to his habits and purposes of life^

Prior to this move of Pennington, the Regulators arrested several individuals, among whom were three by the names of Miller, (iatlinand Gaines, supposed to have been engaged in the breaking open and rob* berv of the store before mentioned. These men made separate confessions, apart from each other, which were remarkable for their exact correspondence. From these confessions it seems that Pennington was implicated in the different plans that were formed to enter and rob the Branch Hank at Ilopkinsville.l/

Four separate and distinct schemes" were adopted, and their execution attempted, all of which were fortunately frustrated. The first plan, to break through the wall and enter the vault from below, was 1/ the suggestion of our hero. To examine the premises and ascertain the practicability of this plan, suitable and competent persons were employed.   Their report was unfavorable to this method of proceeding.

The next proposal was to kill the clerk, and force the door of the ^ vault.   The conspirators accordingly advanced to the town, halted, and sent two of their number to execute the plan.   According to their report, the clerk had retired and was so sound asleep their knock was unheeded, and thus the second attempt failed.   We have heard, however, that two suspscious persons did knock and were admitted by the clerk to his room in the rear of the vauH, but as a friend was present, and the bank well supplied with fire-arms, after one or two unimportant inquiries, they retired without offering any violence. , The third effort was to be made.   This plan was to muster their en- V tire strength, to the number of one hundred, surround at the  dead of 
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night, the house of the cashier, get possession of the keys, keep him under a strong guard, and thus affect their object. The prosecution of this scheme was for some reason or other abandoned.

Not content with these signal failures, this daring project of robbing the bank was persisted in. They now resolved boldly to attempt the walls. For this purpose the company again advanced, and halted in the rear of Glass' Stemmerv. Their instruments were all prepared, and Pennington was set to dig a vault for the temporary deposit and concealment of the money. This he went about with a right gocd will, as he thereby avoided the personal danger to which those who should make the attempt to break in the walls would be necessarily exposed. The reason assigned for this last failure is, that persons were passing to and fro, and seemed to be on the watch. Thus were they foiled in all their efforts to execute the projected robbery. Other efforts would doubtless have been made but for the arrest and confessions of these men.

The truth of these confessions is fully established by the examination made afterwards. ( The instruments were found concealed in the neighborhood of the Stemmery, and there too was the begun vault, designed for the reception of the money. While in jail, Pennington con-lessed that his portion was to be, in case of success, ten thousand dollars.)

From the foregoing;, selected at random from among the many and varied acts of his life, a pretty fare idea may be formed of the true character of Edward Alonzo Pennington. ( His tact, ingenuity, and iitter disregard for truth and honesty, cannot fail to arrest the attention of the reader, at the same time that he is prepared to believe this man capable of any crime the accomplishment of his ends might suggest.) And though his cowardice was such that he would scarcely undertake, single handed and alone, to shed the blood of his fellow man, yet he would always have around him, and obedient to his will, those who dare, for pay or favor, do such a thing. His manners were (artful and insinuating, and he could assume at will a gentle, kind and affectionate bearing, well calculated to deceive the unsuspicious and confiding man.) In fine, he possessed all the qualities and qualifications of a leading spirit among the depraved, whom he could well guide and govern by his counsels and judgment, and needed only a fearless spirit to have fitted him to lead in deeds oi bold and reckless daring. (With sufficient personal courage he wculd have made a bold and able brigand chief, compared even with the far famed robbers of the Alps, or the rougher bands that once infested the mountains of Scotland. J

Somewhere about the year 1838 or 1839, an I"s',man> by {he name of Simon Davis, married and settled in the northeastern portion of Christian county, nsar the Sinks, as they are called, of Little River. Six or seven years after this Pennington, driven off, as before related, from Hopkins by the Regulators, located himself in the same neighborhood, about a mile and a half from the residence of Davis. By his marriage Davis came into the possession of property to the amount of 
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ight hundred or a thousand dollars, but saving and except the connec-ions formed by his marriage, had no friends or relations in this country. With this man Pennington cultivated a familiar acquaintance, and soon found means to ingratiate himself in the favor and friendship of Davis; doubtless he advised with him as to the management of his littfe farm and affairs, and bestowed on him trivial favors, such as were calculated to arouse and kindle upCthe grateful feelings of a warm and generous nature, characteristic of the sons and daughters of old Ireland.) At all events they became very intimate, and Davis seemed to love to be with the man who afterwards wrought out his destruction and death.

Early in the spring of 1845, the wife of Davis died. His ties were now severed, and he soon became involved in some unpleasant and unfriendly altercations with his wife's relation, about the little property she possessed. This rendered his longer residence in the neighborhood disagreeable. He grew daily more dissatisfied, and determined at last to sell out and leave the country. Of all which Pennington was duly apprised.

Up to the 9th of May, following, and on that day, Davis made repeated efforts to dispose of his effects, with the avowed purpose of moving t   the State ol Illinois. fTheothofMay wt's the day tor Battalion Muster at Pleasant Hill, the name ot a meeting house in the northeastern part of Christian county/ Davis was seen to be there and held conversation on the ground with different persons. Late in the afternoon lie was seen in company with Pennington and several others, indone individual testifies he saw them leave together. At all events, Davis was never seen after that day, until his dead body was found and recognized as will hereafter appear. His horse, however, was seen in a body of thick Drusli, near one Shuffle's house. This circumstance" induced the suspicion that he had been murdered, and an effectual search for his body was forthwith instituted.

The neighbors and friends of Davis now determined to arrest Pennington and a man by the name of Cisney. A company was accordingly formed for this purpose, and hearing that Cisney had dined at Mr. Williams' on that day, started off in pursuit. They followed on as tar as Hopkinsville, at which place they paired off, the better to scour the different roads. Two lads took the turnpike from Hopkinsville to Princeton. This was the route Cisney took. At the widow Whyte's, some six or seven miles from the former town, they discovered their man walking the yard, and alighted, as if to get breakfast, f In a fpw moments they had him apprehended and confined, and retraced their way to Hopkinsville.) Being taken to the office of a magistrate he was searched as if for counterfeit money, and a book, the property of Mrs. Whyte, was found upon him. From thence he was escorted by the company to Pond River, and for two days kept under a strong guard. Though often and closely interrogated he made no confession.

About this period the citizens of^Hopkins, Mhulenburg and Christ

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ian, having lost many hordes and suffered in other respects from the depredations of a band of villians that harrassed the whole country far and near, called a meeting at Antiocji, for the purpose of mutual aid and protection.") At this meeting, which was well attended, a Safety S_ocifity_. was organized for the purposes above stated, and numbered the greater portion of our most respectable, intelligent and orderly citizens. One dollar was the charge for membership. This contribution raised a fund which was to be expended in employing persons to pursue after and capture stolen property, and the thieves aho, if possible. It was not, as some have unadvisedly represented, formed ;n violation .of law, for the purposes of punishing suspected and guilty persons, but to aid and co-operate with the law, by arresting and delivering over to the constituted powers, such offenders as would have escaped altogether. The good results of the association are witnessed in the security of property that, from its nature, must be more or less exposed to such depredations.

To this meeting Cisney was brought, and closely guarded, to prevent escape. When the meeting adjourned, he was taken back by the same persons who brought him with them. As they returned home t.> Pond River, the company alighted to rent awhile under the shade of a spreading oak. Cisney dismounted also, and the whole party, with the exception of two persons, seated themselves on the ground ; these two individuals walked off into the bushes. They soon returned, each with an armful of hickories, which, with a rope, they silently laid down near Cisney's feet. Not a word was spoken. Cisnev became alarmed, the tears began to roll down his pallid cheeks, and he volunlariallv proposed to retire with thr.de of the company whom he named, and to whom he said he would make an unreserved confession, /llis request was granted, the parties named went with him so far as to be out of hearing of the others, and he tiien disclosed to them who murdered Da-is. and where the body was consealed.^ He confessed that he held the horses of Pennington and his coadjutors, while they committed the deed, bur took no further part in the murder. A party repaired to the spot indicated, and found the body of Davis, as Cisney informed them. Cisnev was then taken on a State's warrant, and lodged in the jail of the county. His trial was postponed at the ensuing term of the Circuit Court. The Court had scarcely adjourned when the jail was broken, and he, with other prisoners, made their escape. VV'hile in prison the jailor was notified that he (Cisney) had escaped from prison in Mississippi, and was requested to detain him until they could come up to receive him, if on his trial he should be acquitted.

V* In the mean time, the community became greatly excited, and bodies of men went in all directions in search of Pennidgton. Hishotise was watched by day and by night,'and every effort made to arrest him. When it was ascertained beyond a doubt that he had fled, a reward of $500 was offered by private contribution, and an additional one of $500 by the Governor, for his apprehension. V/ 
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. Dr. Bourrand. of Ballard county, was induced to believe, from in-rmation he received, that Pennington was in Texas, and after long d anxious consideration on the subject, determined to follow after and cure him it possible. An account of the pursuit, capture, and return Pennington will be found next in order. The foregoing is submitted, not as a complete and accurate history I our hero, but as necessary to a clear apprehension of the circumstances iat led to his arrest, as also to render intelligible certain portions of ie evidence, which might otherwise appear confused and mysterious, nough. however, is said to impart some idea of the character and dis-osition of the murdere