The Demise of Pink Pettis: The Capture of a Murderer in 1884

From The Atlanta Constitution, August 7, 1884

In a dramatic turn of events, Pink Pettis, a notorious murderer from Murray County, met his end at the hands of a determined posse of citizens who pursued him into the rugged wilderness of Sand Mountain. The tale of his violent demise showcases the gritty realities of life during this turbulent period.

Pink Pettis was a farmer known more for his quarrelsome nature than his agricultural prowess. Residing just six miles from Spring Place, his troubled marriage reached a breaking point, prompting his wife to file a warrant against him for domestic abuse. Following a brief stint in jail, Pettis escaped last winter along with several other inmates. He resurfaced in Dade County, working for a man named Hammontree, where he became entangled with a community of desperate individuals known for their disregard for the law.

After some time, Pettis decided to confront his wife and reclaim a deed to land he had given her at their marriage. Last week, he traveled back to her home, leaving a borrowed horse with a local man, J.W. Wood, and continuing on foot. Upon arrival, he demanded the deed, but after his wife refused, the situation escalated dramatically. In a fit of rage, Pettis fired a pistol at her, but she managed to escape into a cotton patch. He pursued her, firing three additional shots, which tragically struck his wife, leaving her dead at his feet.

Following this horrific act, Pettis stole a horse from Mr. Woods and fled towards the Sand Mountain settlement, where he believed he would find refuge. The brutal murder quickly became known throughout the area, triggering an immediate manhunt. With a distinctive shoe on his stolen horse, tracking Pettis was relatively straightforward. In a single day, he rode a staggering hundred miles, his speed underscoring the urgency of his flight.

The posse, comprised of five determined men—including J.W. Wood and A. C. Johnson from Murray County—tracked him down to a location in Cullman County, Alabama. Here, Pettis was found at the home of his new sweetheart, with whom he was set to marry shortly. Even in the wake of his wife’s tragic death, he seemed unrepentant, flaunting his new relationship.

When the posse surrounded the home and demanded his surrender, Pettis displayed a defiant bravado worthy of a character from a dime novel, drawing the same pistol that had claimed his wife’s life. In a chaotic moment, he charged from the house and fired two shots at Mr. Wood. However, the posse responded swiftly; a well-aimed shot from a double-barreled shotgun struck Pettis down, ending his violent saga.

Pettis was buried at the location of his demise, and while the posse returned home, the aftermath of this encounter continued to unfold. Mr. Wood, who had pursued Pettis for justice and lost a valuable horse in the process, believed he deserved the $200 reward for the capture of the murderer, though he had brought back only Pettis's lifeless body.

In the days that followed, H. C. Hamilton, the clerk of the superior court from Whitfield County, approached the governor to discuss the possibility of compensation for Mr. Wood, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the bravery shown in ridding the community of such a morally corrupt individual. The pistol used by Pettis, now in Mr. Hamilton's possession, served as a grim reminder of the events that transpired and was displayed to those present in the governor's office.

This case highlights the complexities of justice and morality in a time where lawlessness often prevailed, leaving communities to grapple with their own safety and the vigilance required to maintain order.