Madison-Cherokee County NcArchives News.....Bill Murphy - Notorius Desperado 1892
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Connie Ardrey n/a November 21, 2007, 9:16 pm

Daily Charlotte Observer 1892
29 Nov 1892

Bill Murphy, the Notorius Desperado is Still Alive

Jarrett's, NC - Special to the New York Sun

Bill Murphy, the noted desperado, who was reported shot to death several 
months ago, is alive and hiding in the Nanthala Mountains. Persons from that 
region say he is terrorizing the entire country and levying contributions for 
the support of himself and his gang.

For thirty years Murphy has been a terror on the border line of Tennessee and 
North Carolina. His father before him, who married a Cherokee squaw, made the 
rifle his only law. In 1862, with a half dozen companions, he rode into town, 
took possession of it, and held it for several days. Bill was a boy of fifteen 
then.

He followed in his father's footsteps. The gang always kept on the outer edge 
of civilization, having nothing to do with people from a distance and keeping 
the tongues of those around silent by threats.

The first break in the family was when George Murphy was about to marry a girl 
whom Bill wanted himself. He shot George dead while on the way to the wedding, 
forced the guests to bury the dead man, and then shot the girl's brother dead 
when he objected to the proceedings.

A sheriff's posse which sought Bill soon after this was routed and one of them 
killed. Fear of treachery, after having made this break in his own ranks, 
forced him into the Nantahalas, where his gang has been reorganized. No one 
dare go near him.

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