McLeansboro Times
February 18, 1886
ASSASSINATED
John Mann, a prominate citizen and farmer who lived about 4 miles south of this place was ambushed and assassinated this morning at Hog Creek near James Twiggs, about 4 miles west of Broughton, by unknown parties. He was riding to his daughter's farm for the purpose of measuring up some rent corn. The assassin or assassins were behind a stump at the side of the road, firing with a shotgun, the load taking effect in his head killing him instantly, after which they walked around him (there being two sets of tracks) and probably went through his pockets as a pocket knife was found laying at his side. The object of the murder is shrouded in mystery, it being unknown whether the crime was committed through malice or for the purpose of robbery. Mr. Mann being engaged in cattle buying considerable of his time and often carrying large sums of money. The body was still warm when found by Mr. Jack Call, who was riding in the opposite direction and met the murdered man's horse running down the road. Parties living near heard the gunshot but a few minutes before. Mr. Mann lived on a fine farm of 300 acres near Parkers Prairie and leaves a wife and 7 children. He was a Mexican War Veteran and one of the best known citizens of this county.


McLeansboro Times
Thursday, Feb 25, 1886
ARRESTED ON SUSPISION
George C. Marion and James H. Schoolcraft were arrested on Sunday by Sheriff Maulding on suspision that they were the parties who murdered John Mann Friday morning last. The Grand Jury on Wednesday returned a bill against them for murder, and the case we understand has been set for Monday next. The evidence against them is said to be very strong, though almost entirely circumstantial. The details of the double crime, as brought out in the Coroner's inquest and post-mortem examination, were even more horrible than at first reported. The ambush appears to have been prepared for some time, probably for weeks, brush having been cut for the purpose. The first shots, it appears, completely knocked Mr. Mann from his horse, when the assassins stepped on his side and placed a pistol against his head and fired twice, making 4 shots in all. Over 100 shots were taken out of his body at the post-mortem. The crime was one of the most deliberately planned and executed -- in this cowardly manner -- ever known in the history of this county.