Smyrna Times

SEXTON AND HIS FAMILY SEEK REFUGE IN CHURCH

EXPERIENCE OF NATHANIEL COX AND FAMILY AT SEVERSON'S CHURCH.

George W. Moore a Well Known Farmer Drives Nathaniel Cox and Family and John M. Gass out of Former's Home.

George W. Moore, a well-known farmer residing near Severson's M. E. Church was arraigned before Magistrate E. V. Cooper Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock on the charge of Nathaniel Cox, sexton of Severson's Church, and John M. Gass an employee on the David Boggs' farm, for assault and battery, malicious mischief and trespass and for breaking into Cox's home, driving him and his family and Gass out and threatening to kill them. He was arrested by Constable Jones in the vicinity of "The Seven Hickories" and brought up on two charges. He plead guilty, and was fined $8.97 in each case, $17.94 in all and held in bond of $100 to keep the peace. On paying same he was released.

Thursday night Moore was intoxicated and went to the home of Cox and in his drunken craze, broke into his residence by smashing in the door, drove the Cox family out and threatened to kill them. Friday Cox made complaint, and later at the request of both parties, Magistrate Cooper held the cases off for awhile. That evening, Moore got on another drunk, committed malicious mischief and trespass, broke again through the door of the Cox home, entered the house and drove the family out and again threatened to kill them. This time John M. Gass was one of the party and he was assaulted by Moore, and was driven out of Cox's home with the same threat.

Gass and the Cox family fearing that the desperate man might carry out his threats, took refuge in Severson's Church behind locked doors, where they spent the night. Saturday Gass made formal complaint before Magistrate Cooper, and Cox ordered action in his case. At the trial Moore claimed that he was so drunk he did not know what he was about. and the fact that he plead guilty, Magistrate Cooper let him off with lighter fines.