The Marion Messenger
Marion, North Carolina
27 November, 1896

    Mr. Patterson Gilleland, who lives near Hudson, was robbed of $210 this morning a little before daylight. He had just returned from Watauga yesterday evening, where he had collected the money. He spent last night with his mother, who lives a short distance from him, and was on his way home when he was knocked down by a heavy blow on the side of  his head. One of his assailants jumped on him while the other men pulled out the day book which contained the money. Gilleland then told the party that there was a letter in the book for Mr. Wm. M. Morris, which he had brought from a friend at Blowing Rock. At this the robber took the money from the book and ran. There were two of the robbers, who were disguised and neither of them spoke a word. The money taken was ten $20 bills and one $10 bill. Gilleland was pretty badly hurt. Blood was running from his nose when his son, who brought the news to Lenoir, left home. So far there is no clue to the robbers.

                                                                                    -transcription by Kate Maynard, 2013