The Daily Dispatch: January 25, 1862., [Electronic resource]

Triple murder at Harrodsburg

A most terrible and heartrending tragedy occurred about three miles from this place last evening, on the Billoe's mill road. Edward Scott, a school teacher, who had married the widow. Tilford, daughter-in-law of the late Major. Tilford, of Dexington, came into his house where the family were sitting, and without known cause, provocation of warning, fired a pistol at young James Tilford, inflicting a wound from the effect of which he has since died, then fired at Edward, a lad about eleven years of age, killing him instantly, and then shot Miss Tilford, aged about eighteen, wounding her so that she will certainly die during the night. He then shot a younger Miss Tilford, inflicting a wound in the arm. The other children then fled and hid themselves. Scott pursued them, but they eluded his search and were saved. They were all his step-children:--The attack upon the family was premeditated, for he was well armed with revolvers, two double-barreled shot guns, a United States musket, a hatchet, and butcher knife. After committing these terrible deeds, the murderer retired above stairs, fastening the door and cutting loop holes through the roof, and awaited the approach of captors. He was eventually secured, and is now in jail to await an examination. Whether he was insane or not remains to be seen, as there is a great diversity of opinion here on the subject.