My son Thomas P. Tane , was most cruelly murdered, in this place on the 24th instant by Rufuss K. Anderson of Alabama

The Murderer and the deceased, were personally strangers to each other__

My son was confident from the first that the wound was mortal; & solemnly stated on his dying bed, that when he saw the Murderer approaching him he supposed he was a madman, and that he went into the house, at the door of which he was standing toward him that he did not see the Pistol untill [until] it was within two or three feet of his body__ He then threw forward his hand to get hold of it__ & at the same moment his right the Murderer fired__ His right arm was burned between the hand & wrist, by the fire from the pistol. The Murderer has fled, & I pray your Excellency, to address the Governors of the several States, particularly Alabama to cause harm to be apprehended & brought to justice Micah Tane

I further state from the information of others, which I believe to be true, that there is no doubt of the part, that the Murderer came from Perkins County Alabama , to this place for the express purpose of committing the murder. His father & other relations reside in this place & its neighborhood The night before his arrival home, I am informed & believe, he stayed at the home of Tho [Thomas] Miller Eqr [Esquire] in Alabama, distant about 25 miles from this place__ At which time & place, he had no [unclear: portman team ], in saddle bags or baggage of any description He was travelling on Horseback.
M [Micah]. Tane .

Micah Tane, this day personally appeared before the undersigned justice of the peace of said county & made oath that the within & above statements are true [unclear: Saml norwood JP ]

His Excellency William Hall acting Govr [Governor] of the State of Tennessee