Early Governors' Papers

Benton, June 14th 1848

His Excellancy Neil S Brown

Dear Sir Enclosed is a certified copy of the verdict of a jury of inquest held over the body of Isaac Howell, who was killed in Bradley County on the 14th of April 1848 by a man whose name is Alford Bailey, accompanied by a re quest that application be made toyou to offer a re ward for his apprehension as he has fled the county.

At the last term of the Court I sen an Indictment against him and others for the Murder Bailey was the leader in the affair and from the facts as I learned them from the Witnesses there is much aggravation in the Case; and I am first to say it - is such an one as in my humble opinions, public justice as well as public opinion would require that a reward should be offered by your Excellency for Bailey's apprehension The dead has no friends or relations who are able or likely to pursue on apprehend him

Very Respectfully

James B Cooke

Atto Genl

Benton Ten June 18

His Excellency Niel S Brown Gov Nashville Tenn

Pikeville July 9th 1848

His Excellency Neil S. Brown

Dear Sir, your com-t munication of June 24th to the Clerk of the Circutit Court of Bradley County & forwarded to me has reached me at - this point - on my Circuit

As I can not be in that County for some weeks it will be impossible for me to procure the affida vits of the witness sent before the Grand Jury in the Case of Alfred Bailey Charged with the murdr of Isaac Howell; & as they were mostly strangers to me I do not now sufficently recollect the names or distinct statements of each of the witnesses to un dertake to furnish a correct brief of all the coic dences. The affair occurred at some public gathering perhaps a Muster ground, I could not ascertain that there had ever been any difficulty between the parties before the day on which Howell was killed nor did there seem to have been very serious on that day prior to the fatal encounter & as I understood the witness very little provocation on the part of Howell John Carson swore that when the diffi culty occurred or while it was going on, (I cannot remember which) several persons were aiding or encouraging Bailey - that he (the witness) making his way into the crowd for the purpose of sep arating them, he discovered a knife, I believe he said a large one in the hand of Bailey who was within striking at or stabing Howell with it He caught Bailey's arm in order to prevent it but was caught and forced away and when he re turned and got back to where the parties were

B-1-7-3

the fatal wounds had been given Howell was severely stabbed in some five or six different places principally in the breast-and side. Dr Luck the physician who attend Howell swore that he died of the wounds, Howell as it appeared was a quiet inoffensive sort of man while Bailey seem to have been reckless and overbearing. As there were several others concerned some of whom were indicted jointly with Bailey my attention was mainly turned on the examination of those who were aiding & abetting

There were perhaps other small circumstances than those related above but I have given the best account of the matter that my recollection affords me

Enclosed is a description of the person of Bailey furnished me by Mr Payne together with the supposed direction he has taken

Very Respectly Your 0bt Servt Jas B Cooke

Pikeville Tenn July 11th /48

His Excellency N. S. Brown Nashville Tennessee

(?) Bailey Bradley County

New York Jan 12th 1842

Sir

Having entered upon the practice of the Law in this City I am desirous of being appointed a Commissioner of Deeds of the State of Tennessee in New York

Should you be pleased to confer on me the appointment I should find myself highly favored

I am (sincerely?) your friend &c. Byron G Daniels 126 Fulton //

His Excellency Neil S Brown (?) Tennessee

Executive Department Wisconsin Madison February 10, 1848

His Excellency Governor N.T. Brown

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledg the receipt of your favor of the 25th Dec last - accompanying Certified Copy of Resolutions passed by the General Assembly of Tennessee " approving of Mr. A. Whitneys plan of a Rail Road to cnnect the Atlantc and Pacific Oceans

I am with high respect Your mo Obt Servt Henry Dodge

Matamora Ten April 15th

Mr. N. S. Brown Nashville Tennessee

Hardeman County

Memphis June 17 1848

To his Excellency Neil S Brown

Dear Sir;

I am sick and will be unable to hold the Circuit Court at Bolivar Hardeman County on the 4th Monday of the month. You will please appoint a Special Judge to hold said Court

Sir John C Humphreys is well qualified and would be the most acceptable appointment that could be made and as there is no time to loose please send his Commission to Bolivar imediately

Yours Respectfully W.C. Dunlap

To his Excellency Neil S. Brown Nashville Tennessee

John A. Humphrey