
The murder of Ellen Pratt created considerable emotion and excitement in the community. Newspapers throughout the states reported the story, including The Liberator in Boston, MA who carried the story as "The Bloody and Oppressive South," Shocking Murder. We can't help but wonder what events led to the murder of Ellen Pratt.
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Bibb county map with the road to from Macon to Forsyth (From Georgia Galileo) |
According to court records,on the morning of May 16th, 1849, Reese went to visit with the sheriff about the peace warrant and there was considerable discussion which ended with Reese storming off, declaring "it would only cost him what little he had and his life and he would see her out or die." The sheriff begged him to leave her alone, but determined, Elisha set out for the Gurganus property.
Rebecca Gurganus, who was Ellen's step-mother, testified that Reese had come to their property that morning and, while standing at the gate, asked Ellen why she had told the lie. When Ellen insisted that she had not told a lie, Reese opened the gate to enter their yard. Ellen then said, "Reese, don't come in here," but he continued anyway and so David got up from the piazza and walked towards the gate saying "Reese, what are you coming here interrupting us for? We interrupt no body." Newspaper articles referred to David as a "very aged Revolutionary soldier," and indicated that he was "scarce able to walk" and had begged Reese to go away and to not create any disturbance there.
It was then that Reese gripped the barrel of the gun with both hands, swung it at David and struck him in the head, knocking him to the ground. Ellen, who had been standing in the piazza, immediately ran to her father to help him, at which time, Reese took aim and shot her in the neck at such close range, the wadding set her clothes on fire. Ellen fell dead within a few feet of her father, who was still on the ground and bleeding. Within minutes Ellen was dead and David had received injuries from which he would never fully recover. Reese turned and calmly walked away, leaving Rebecca standing there, no doubt in shock over what had just transpired.
A neighbor testified that he had seen a man pass by his property through the corn field with a rifle resting on his shoulder. Minutes later he heard the gun go off and the man passed back by. The neighbor had been unsure as to what had transpired, but then heard Rebecca calling to him for help. When he approached the Gurganus property, he discovered that Ellen was dead and that ninety year old David, whom he described as an "old and infirm man," was on his hands and knees, his head was bleeding and he was delirious. The neighbor carried David into the house, put him onto his bed and then set off for the doctor and the sheriff.

I have read over the court documents and the numerous corresponding newspaper articles dozens of times, each time feeling a deep sadness. My heart breaks for Ellen, who rejected a suitor without realizing the price that she and her father would ultimately pay, for David, my fourth great grandfather, who witnessed the murder of his daughter, something no parent should ever experience, and for Rebecca, who stood helplessly by as she watched the terrible scene unfold. As with any event buried in the past, there is more to this story than I will ever know. Why did Reese, a 50 year old man pursue with such determination, 60 year old widowed Ellen, and feel so strongly about her rejection that he made threats of violence and eventually murdered her? While I don't have all of the answers, I still have more to share, including Reese's trial and what ultimately happened to him, all of which I will include in my next post.
Continue onto Part Three, Final Chapter, The Trail
Copyright © Michelle G. Taggart 2012