Cherokee County AlArchives News.....Foul Assaination Sunday Evening Jim Reed, Victim September 22, 1899
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Richard Reed Fleming rfleming@whnt.net March 9, 2006, 12:44 pm

Coosa River News September 22, 1899
  Here's Your Inducment.
  Probate Judge Appelton hands in the following self-explanatory notice
  The News to give publicity to:
       The State of Alabama,
           Cherokee County.
    The County of Cherokee has this day offered a reward of $100.00 for  the 
arrest and delivery of Henry C. Martin to the Sheriff of said county.
   This September 20th, 1899
     C.C. Appleton
       Judge of Probate

   FOUL ASSASINATION SUNDAY EVENING
   JIM REED, VICTIM
   Henry C. Martin the Murderer,
     A Very Common Outlaw
   CORONER'S JURY REPORT
  Another crime, this last one to recite being the most diabolical of them all, 
comes to besmear the otherwise fair name of this community. It reads:
  James Reed, age about 54 years, was assasinated by Henry C. Martin Sunday 
evening at dusk. The crime occured at the home of Mr. Reed about four miles to 
the east of town. 
  A News man, who reported all the evidence in the case at the autopsy held 
Sunday night, remembers the matter about this way: Martin had been threatening 
the life of Claude Reed, son of the deceased, who on Friday last married the 
daughter of Martin. On Saturday before the assassination Sunday evening the 
culprit had been passing frequently by the home of the Reeds, but knowing the 
cowardly nature of Martin no serious account was taken of his action.
  On Sunday evening in company with Mr. W.H. Johnson, Martin had passed the 
home of the deceased in his buggy. He halted at the home of Reed and called for 
Claude. The old gentleman answered the call, informing the visitors that his 
son was absent. (Here it is but fair to state that Mr. Johnson says that he was 
in quest of an opportunity to warn Claude.) Martin was drinking "Uncle Josh" 
bitters and Mr. Johnson had accepted two or three "smiles" with him. This was 
about 8:00 o'clock in the P. M. From thence they proceded in the direction of 
Piney church. On the road two of Reed's brothers, Jim and Joe, were met up with 
and a confab was had about some of the Martins firing into Jim Reed's (jr) 
house, but it smacked of a friendly nature. Once near Piney church Martin would 
face about the remonstrances of Johnson, saying that he would not allow the sun 
to rise again over the live body of himself and Claude Reed. He meant to kill 
some one before day or die in the effort.
  Johnson promised to return with him if he would go on by the home of the 
Reeds. This he agreed to do, but when he got within 150 yards of their home 
Martin jumped out, told Johnson if he saw him no more to take his horse and 
buggy home, for Johnson to go on. This he did, passing Reed's home alone. When 
about 100 yards distant he heard a gun fire, but proceded to the home of Bud 
Angle before he returned to Reed's, in company with Angle.
  When he returned James Reed had bit the dust, Martin was gone and another 
diabolical crime had gone to record against this country. Seven shot in the 
region of the heart, ten in the region of the bladder and twenty eight in the 
stomach was the result of the physcian's finding. The number of shot placed in 
either of those regions, the doctors say would have produced death.
  Henry C. Martin has been known to be a criminal of the highest type for 
years, but the action of the courts has been so proverbially slow that delay 
has saved him. He is resting under a charge of incest; has been arraigned for 
the sale of mean whiskies, and when drinking has been one of our most 
pusillanimous rowdies.
  Jim Reed was a brave and loyal citizen; served his country in the civil war, 
begining in 1862 at 16 years of age. Often it has been remarked of him by his 
comrades that he was one of the best soldiers that ever faced a minie. He has a 
large and influential family connection, and his father who lives today near 
Cedar Bluff is perhaps the oldest man in Cherokee county. Mr. Reed makes the 
fifth man who has been killed in his vicinity in the last few ??????? Goss bit 
the dust here in Centre some weeks ago, while James Reed has been accounted for 
It must also be remembered that Hous??? Webb was also slain.         

Additional Comments:
  transcribed from a copy of the article verbatim barring any typos.

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