Clay County AlArchives News.....Allen, Larkin Murdered in Lee County Alabama. March 15, 1874 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 March 25, 2023, 3:11 am Ledger-Enquirer March 15, 1874 Alabama of late appears to be the land of blood of crime of every description The word may mean "Here we rest" but bad laws and worse judges who give immunity to criminals have changed it to a rest in the grave. On Friday Mr. Larkin Allen whose home is in Clay County Ala, distant from Columbus seventy miles came to the city with a wagon load of chickens &c. He was proprietor of a small store in his county and has visited this place every few months, for a long period of years in order to sell country produce and was well known in the city on this trip he was accompanied by his wife. He disposed of his stock in trade for some three hundred dollars. LEAVES FOR HOME Having bought some $250 of goods from the Eagle and Phenix manufactory, he started for home. They encamped that night very near Mr. Velati’s place in Lee County Ala a little over four miles from Columbus. PERECT SECURITY The aged pair thought was around them. They were within call of several houses and on the side of a public thoroughfare. No suspicion of danger lurked in their bosoms. They forgot however they were in a State controlled by officers whose statutes support lawlessness and with judges who were forced on the people by the votes of the ignorant and prejudiced and whose terms have not yet expired. They did not dream of these so oxen were unyoked fire built and the good wife commenced preparing supper. THE MURDERS ON THE TRACK The pair had noticed in the afternoon a couple of armed negroes far in their rear but paid no attention to them. They were observed by other parties. Now since the tragedy Mrs. Allen remembered the same negroes kept an eye on the movements of her husband in Columbus. They knew him and what became for and supposed he would return home with considerable money. The plan to rob and murder was very simple as Mr. Allen and wife were old and feeble. THE DEED OF MURDER About 7 o’clock these negroes came to the campfire they said to get warm. Becoming troublesome Mr. Allen ordered them away. They retired very sullenly. Mr. Allen stepped into his wagon to get something when the black villains returned hastily. One fired at Mr. Allen emptying two loads of buckshot from a double-barrel gun. The body fell across the tongue of the wagon where it found. ATTEMPT TO KILL MRS ALLEN Mrs. Allen commenced screaming was ordered to desist but would not. A villain then fired a gun loaded with small shot at her. He missed his aim, but the weapon was so close that the powder burned her face badly and set her bonnet on fire. This produced the impression at first that she had been shot in the face her bonnet was nearly burned up. THE MURDERS MISS THE BOOTY Mrs. Allen continued screaming and the neighborhood was aroused. Soon Mr. Velati, Hiram Gibson and others arrived Mr. Allen was lying senseless across the tongue of the wagon bleeding and covered with blood and his wife had well-nigh lost her reason. The wounded man was carried to the house of Mr. Geo T. Lynch near the Holland place where he died in two hours. On examination it was found that his pocketbook containing §40 was intact and the goods were undisturbed. CORONER'S INQUEST was held yesterday verdict was that deceased came to his death from shot-gun wounds shooters unknown. The remains were carried to Clay County by Mrs. Allen on last night's train. LARGE REWARD Much excitement was manifested in Browneville on the reception of the news of the murder. A meeting was called and in fifteen minutes a sum of over $200 raised as a reward for the apprehension of the murderers. Two negro men gave $15 One said give him time and he would raise $250 from his own race. The Governor of Alabama will doubtless offer a large reward. THE MURDERERS Are without doubt Columbus negroes who availed themselves of the license by Alabama laws and judges to the crime. They wouldn’t dare act in Georgia. They were seen by several parties and Mrs. Allen will recognize them at once. It is believed they in Columbus last night. The force be poor if they escape detection. Additional Comments: In 1870 Larkin & Mary Allen were living Township 21, Almond near the Randolph County line. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/clay/newspapers/allenlar2237gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 4.8 Kb