Clay County AlArchives News.....Allen, Larkin Murdered in Lee County Alabama.  March 15, 1874
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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. 



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