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 November 11, 2025 Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862 KYR-0001-020-2178 MG24-284 to MG24-285

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1

W. Blewett Contd

I communicated to Ben Grider after Wilson's trial that if the jury had had the conversation I have detailed they would not have acquitted Wilson -- Communicated to Counsel for Comwlth -- but not till after first trial of Wilson -- Dont Know of any one else to whom he communicated -- never told before on any of trials -- The Conversation was held at the last change of horses in Stage beyond Nu Franklin coming up -- I had a conversation with my brother Chas E Blewett Neain the Court house yard -- S. A Gossan came up. I told them that coming up the ridge Jones wanted to tell me about the case & I told him to stop, but I never told them Jones did not tell me anything about it. I never ^told^ this to Gossan in Woods while laying off the land -- Gossan did not ask me why I liked one of the Jones better than the other -- there was nothing said about this subject -- In the conversation in the Court house yard -- I said a heap of things I now deny -- I said many things I ought not to have said -- but they represent my saying things I did not -- Did not state to them that Jones did not tell him -- I located no time or place -- cant say where the ridge is -- & I dont know that I said it was on the ridge Jones attempted to tell me -- I dont recollect whether Jones & I walked up the ridge to ourselves -- I do not wish Jones conviction & my feelings not inimical -- have taken no active part in prosecution & responsible for no fees -- Never had bad feelings to Jones -- Jones is now about 23 yrs -- Jenkins would have been a year or two younger -- I employed the police at Nashville I have never hunted up a witness & for Comwlth. Dont think I have conversed with witnesses & then communicated to Comwlth -- Roberts staid with me & I told him that Jones wanted to tell me about the occurence & I would not let him & Jones repeatedly offered to tell me all about it & I would not let him -- Roberts expressed his views & I did not agree with him -- I told Roberts Jones had attempted to tell me & I would not let him -- Dont Know that he did or did not tell Roberts Jones

2

W Blewett Contd

never told him anything about it -- I think I told Rodes about the conversation with Jones -- The conversation in the yard with my brother I dont recollect what it was. Dont think had anything to say about Jones -- At time of surveying Potter was surveyor -- I was chain carrier part of time -- Gossan & I were not always with Potter.

ArthurGraham.

After shooting Jones & Wilson started off together -- I was in 6 or 7 ft. Didnt see Wilson when Jones shot -- first I saw of Wilson after shot Wilson was 6 or 8 steps off -- Jones walked up to WIlson before Wilson moved -- I saw them getting over the fence -- didn't see Wilson come back -- Wilson staid where Jones left him till Jones returned to him. I had drank some before I started -- furnished liquor that evening -- dran Dont Know what time Jones & Jenkins came to store. Jones left there late in the evening -- before seen. down 1 1/4 from my store to Mrs Jones' -- pretty certain Wilson was not right behind Jones when he shot --

Jas.Mitchell saw Jones when he shot -- Wilson at that time was 6 or 8 steps from Jones -- standing still -- I was in 4 ft of Jenkins -- Jones wheeled & ran to where Wilson was -- I was not noticing Wilsons when pistol fired. Did'nt see Wilson come back -- Heard no cry that Jenkins had a knife -- was not in passage when difficulty began --

Tho L. Stevens

saw Wilson directly after pistol fired, behind Jones 10 or 15 feet. Wilson came back about 1/2 way. I saw them after shot till they got nearly to fence. Did'nt see Wilson come back my attention was attracted to Jones -- Jones turned & walked back to Wilson -- great excitement about time of shot -- --

3

Alfred Vernon

Was along time A D Roberts speaks of -- Dont recollect any conversation about Jones because I was not near enough to hear -- I want that.

Chas. Spalding

Was a witness on trial of Wilson -- Dont think he has made any different statement -- At former trial I stated when I saw Jones start he drew the pistol advanced & fired. leveled the pistol before he stopped -- I said Jones leaned over as he came up because he came up so fast. Saw Jones & Wilson start off -- Wilson was 15 or 20 feet from Jones when he fired Did not hear any one say Jenkins had a knife -- Thinks Judge examined me last court -- Jones leaned forward all the time -- never said Jones shrank back.

Defts. Evidence

I went round the court house & was asked by strange to stop W & C S Blewett -- Blewett said he could have known all about the matter if he had tried -- he said as they were walking up the hill this side of Nashville & Jones wanted to tell him all about it & he would'nt let him -- he said about same in Woods when surveying I asked him how he happened to be more friendly with Rufers than Henry Jenkins -- he explained why -- Said Rufus had gone to school to here & he liked & he could have known all about the matter if he had let Jones tell him.

C. E. Blewett

I was present at time Gosson speaks of in yard -- he said he could have known all about it -- Jones began to tell him & he stopped him & would'nt let him tell anything about it -- that is my recollection, my brother excited --

4

B. C. Grider

was present when Blewetts were talking as stated by Gosson & Blewett cant state what Blewett said about Jones --

I cross-examined Spalding on Wilson's trial -- my recollection is Spalding was setting about where I am -- he said that Jones just before shooting shrunk back, scringed or dodged as if dodging a blow & shows the motion -- he made Spalding repeat it -- & argued it -- springs 18 or 20 miles this side of Nashville --

J C Watkins

statement of Jones' shrinking as stated by Grinder was made by some witness, but cant say it was Spalding --

J. R. Underwood called by Comwlth

Has no notes of Former trial -- has a recollection the statement as made by Grider & Wilkins as having been made by some one -- I cannot state the motion -- a little dodge --

JasJones

one of the Wilson jury -- dont recollect Spalding was examined. Dont recollect the statement made as referred to of Spalding -- Dont recollect all the Evidence --

S S. Potter --

Saw Jenkins -- ball entered on left side & ranged thru -- 3 or 4 inches from navel --