The Recorder, Or, Lady's And Gentleman's Miscellany

JONESBOROUGH, (State of Tennessee.) Saturday, March 20, 1802.

ON Monday evening last arrived in this town, in custody of the sheriff of Grainger, Russel Bean: on Wednesday he was delivered to the sheriff of this county, and committed to prison; on Thursday he was admitted to bail, himself in the sum of 500 dollars; and two sureties in the sum of 2500 each. About three months since, Mr. Bean upon a supposition of his wife's infidelity resolved on leaving her, and taking with him all his children, except the one then recently born which he contended was not his.--His conduct from that period was orderly and becoming a man injured by one he loved, until a few days previous to the time fixed on his departure when he declared to a couple of gentlemen that, as he was about to take a final leave, he wished to see Mrs. Bean and the child; both the gentlemen accompanied him to the room where it was supposed Mrs. Bean then was. She being out, the child was taken from the cradle and handed to him; after viewing it a few minutes, he declared it was not his. Mrs. Bean, coming in at the instant, declared it was, and burst into tears. Finding his passion rising after a few words, she again quitted the room, upon which he declared, that unless she returned he would cut the child's ears off. One of the gentlemen went to seek her, but before he returned, Mr. Bean in despite of the one who remained, actually put his threats into execution, and cut off both the infant's ears close to its head, affirming at the same time, that no spurious offspring should claim affinity to him without having a mark. A warrant was procured the next day and he was apprehended, but made his escape before they got to town. All after attempts to take him, though detachments of militia were engaged in the search, proved unsuccessful; he embarked down the river, the governor having procured the assistance of the military, at South West-Point, whose vigilance prevented all possibility of escape, Mr. Bean determined to return and stand his trial. He surrendered himself to the sheriff of Grainger, who delivered him to the sheriff of this county, &c.

We have been thus minute in this detail to prevent misrepresentations. The child has perfectly recovered, and is now in good health.