CRIMINAL COURT 1866 – Hon. W. Hunter, Judge. – An important murder case occupied the time of this Court throughout yesterday.
The case came up on writ of habeas corpus, and was brought from Tipton county on a change of venue.
The defendant, Wm. C. Harris, (who is a son of Judge Harris, of Tipton county, and was at the time acting as Sheriff of said county,) is charged with the murder of John D. H. Lauderdale, some time in March last, and upon the preliminary examination before the magistrate was declared guilty of “murder in the first degree, with mitigating circumstances!” and held to bail in the sum of $40,000; the bond was not given, but the defendant now applies to be released on reasonable bail.
Able counsel are employed on both sides, as follows: For the prosecution – Messrs. Haynes, Lewis and Sale, of Memphis, and Sanford and Smith, of Tipton county. For the defense – Messrs. Smith & Hill, Morrison and Parham, of Memphis, and Steele and Bates, of Tipton county.
[ Criminal Court 1866 ; Memphis Daily Post; Memphis, Tenn; 11 Apr 1866; Pg 8]
HOMICIDE IN TIPTON COUNTY
JOHN D H LAUDERDALE | We learn from a gentleman just down from Tipton county, that a fight occurred on Saturday last, the day of the election at Covington, in which John Lauderdale, an old and respected citizen, was shot and killed by Clayt Harris, Sheriff of the county, and son of Hon. J. W. Harris, present Chancellor of that District. We learn nothing of the particulars of this unfortunate affair – save that it occurred in a drunken frolic. Harris was immediately arrested, and is now awaiting an examination. This is deeply to be regretted because they were both old citizens, neighbors and long residents of the county.
[Public Ledger; 8 Mar 1866; Pg 2, Memphis, TN]