William Perry 'Bill' Penn died April 20, 1869 in Lamar Co., Texas near Boggy Creek at the age of 22. He was the son of Sanford Penn (1822-1867) and Elizabeth Hardin Penn Lindsey (1824-1902).
Bob Lee had gathered a gang of men who, like him, distained all things Northern. Simpson, known as "Simp", Charlie and Billy Dixon, brothers from Dixon Mound, took Lee's side,as did their stepbrother Dick Johnson. Bill Penn of Kentuckytown was another hard-bitten Lee man.
Blood for Blood without Remorse: The Lee-Peacock Feud, part 1
by Edward Southerland
July 14, 2016



Dallas Herald
Dallas, Texas
Saturday, February 13, 1869
pg 2

TEXAS ITEMS

The desperadoes, Penn and Witt, who shot the freedman here on the night of the 27th ult., appeared on the day following between Kentuckytown and Pilot Grove, where meeting up with a small squad of Federal soldiers, a brisk skirmish of several minutes ensued. The engagement resulted in a drawn battle, Penn and Wit carrying away with them a soldier's horse which, during the fight had made its escape to their lines. They have not been heard of since.
McKinney Enquirer



The Dallas Daily Herald
Dallas, Texas
Saturday, February 13, 1869
pg 1

John Coward, the freedman shot down by Penn and Witt, on the night of the 27th, ult. . . died from the effects of his wounds on the 30th ult. He was buried on Sunday, his remains being followed to the grave by at least 200 freedmen. The burial service was conducted in the most quiet and respectful manner, and John's people will long mourn his untimely fate. (McKinney Enquirer)



The Dallas Daily Herald
Dallas, Texas
Saturday, February 13, 1869
pg 2

The desperadoes, Penn and Witt, who shot the freedman here on the night of the 27th ult., appeared on the day following between Kentuckytown and Pilot Grove, where, meeting up with a small squad of Federal soldiers, a brisk skirmish of several minutes ensued. The engagement ended in a drawn battle. Penn and Witt carrying away with them a soldier's horse, which during the fight, had made its escape to their lines. They have not been heard of since.



The Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
Sunday, February 21, 1869
pg 2

TEXAS NEWS-NOTES
The Messenger says that Witt and Penn, who murdered the freedman John  Coward, in that town on the 27th ult., shot a negro man last Saturday above Kentuckytown, in the Everhart neighborhood. No particulars.



The Dallas Daily Herald
Dallas, Texas
Saturday, April 10, 1869
pg 2

It is said that on last Sunday while Witt was being pursued, Penn attempted to join him, but in doing so his horse became entangled in briar's, and while thus held fast, the pursuing party passed within forty yards of him.



The Standard
Clarksville, Texas
Saturday, April 17. 1869
pg 1

A DESPERADO KILLING
A CITIZEN AND SOLDIER WOUNDED

Last Sunday  morning between 7 and 8 o'clock, Dow Witt, who together with a desperate character named Penn, murdered a negro man named John Cowart, at Stiff's grocery in this place, some two months since, was killed by a party of soldiers who had accompanied Sheriff Wilson, and deputy Sheriff Sort for the purpose of aiding in the arrest of Penn and Witt. It seems that while some of the party were making inquiry for Witt at the House of a Mr. Beard, situated a few miles in a northerly direction from town, Will, in a spirit of bravado and defiance, came into the open prairie from the timber near by, cursed and defied the Sheriff and his party, discharged at them one barrel of his shot gun, and then, confident of his ability to escape, put spurs to his horse and dashed away. Ten or a dozen shots were fired in reply, and a hot pursuit was
immediately commenced. After a chase of three or four miles, the fugitive was overtaken near a small creek, which unluckily for him was swollen from the effects of a heavy rain which had fallen a few hours previously. Dashing into the stream, he succeeded in crossing it, but before ascending the west bank, his horse was shot from under him, and himself repeatedly and severely wounded by Corporal Payne and private Henry, who were foremost in the pursuit. Witt resisted to the last, emptying the other barrel of his shot gun, and one six shooter, and discharging three shots (all that would fire) from another. ---- He finally succeeded in sheltering himself behind a small knoll from the fire of the corporal and private, but was dispatched shortly afterwards by Sergeant McGraw, who with Sheriff Wilson,  had crossed the stream near its source. And so ended the mortal career of this bad man. Nothing was seen of Penn until Wednesday morning, when, as the Sheriff and a small party of soldiers and citizens were approaching the house of Sol. Fitzhugh, five or six miles Southeast of town, Penn and a man by the name of Hays, who is charged with the murder of Col. Erwin, ran from the house into a thicket close by. They were instantly pursued, the pursuing party dismounting and entering the brush on foot, an indiscretion which cost them dearly. ---- Two of the pursuers  (illegible, and James Johnson (a soldier) were wounded. Hall received four shots - two in the left arm, one in the left thigh and one in the right groin, and is very dangerously wounded. Johnson was struck once in the left arm. Hall's arms, a Spencer rifle and a six shooter, fell into the hands of Penn and Hays, who, having no favorable opportunity made their way out of the thicket, and each mounting a horse - one a soldier's , and another a citizen's - effected their escape. They were subsequently pursued eight or ten miles, when all trace of them was lost. Their own horses, which were in Fitzhugh's lot, fell into the hands of the Sheriff. --- McK. Messenger.



The Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
Wednesday May 5, 1869
pg 3

TEXAS ITEMS

The McKinney papers report that Wm. Penn, a notorious horse-thief and murderer, for whom the military authorities offered a reward of one thousand dollars, was killed near the mouth of Bois d'Arc creek, on Monday week last, by a party who had pursued him from Grayson county. Hayes, another outlaw, was with Penn, but he escaped. The Enquirer says:
This makes six of these characters disposed of in Northern Texas within the last three weeks. The people seem determined that no effort on their part shall be wanting to rid the country of the pests.
On the 24th, W.C. Hall, deputy sheriff of Collin county, died of gunshot wounds received in the affray resulting from an attempt to arrest Penn and Hays, some two weeks since. He died at the post of honor in defense of the law.



Weekly Telegraph
Houston, Texas
Thursday, May 13, 1869
pg 6

TEXAS ITEMS
From the McKinney Esquire:
A rumor is afloat that Hays, the accomplice of Penn and Witt, has also been captured and killed. The people of Northern Texas have determined that this beautiful land of ours shall no longer be the lurking ground of such bad men, and the right rapidly, and righteously, are they disposing of them.



The Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
Wednesday May 13, 1869
pg 3

We learn from good authority that in the encounter which resulted in the death of Penn; Hays, his companion, was severely wounded in the head. This perhaps accounts for the loss of his pistol, which he dropped in his flight.



It was reported that Bill's grave is cross-wise to the world because he was buried at night. Quincy Vittitoe, Finnie's father, was one of the diggers.  (Source: Kenneth Jones, August 2000)