[Marshall] Texas Republican, September 1, 1860
The Paris Press published the statements from the Clarksville Standard and Mt. Pleasant Union, of the hanging of Peers, whose name is given in the latter paper as Pearce, and says:
“The individual referred to is Joseph M. Peers, formerly of Virginia, and well known to Mr. Overstreet, of this place, while living there. He is fond of talking, and tells the most marvellous stories, and is thought by many to be deranged. His erratic movements and doubtful statements led to his arrest in Clarksville, by a committee from Paris. He was brought here and after an impartial examination was discharged, there being no evidence to justify his detention. Another individual, who spent some time in idleness in Sulphur Springs, and preferred negro to white company, was, on his arrival in Paris, arrested, and upon examination it was determined that, as he had no legitimate business in Texas, he should seek some other country, and a committee, composed of some of our most responsible citizens, escorted him out of the State, and admonished him to remain out of it for the present.”