Madisonville Democrat, (Monroe Co. TN) October 26, 1911:

"Latest Developments of Triple Tragedy at Rafter --- A new chapter has been added to the triple killing which occurred the night of Sept. 16th, at Rafter in this county, when Obey Butler, John Hedden and Onie Phillips were killed as the result of a quarrel over a girl.

Quite a little more proof having been obtained, Ebey Butler, a brother of Obey Butler, deceased, has been arrested charged with killing John Hedden. When the shooting occurred, it was alleged that Obey Butler killed John Hedden and Onie Phillips, and then shot himself. Subsequent investigation however, showed that Obey died from wounds in the back of the head, sustained by bullets received from 32 and 38 calibre revolvers. Obey Butler only had a gun in his possession when found dead, of 38 calibre. Suspicion rested on Ebey Butler for the death of John Hedden, and he was arrested charged with his murder.

Justice of the Peace, J.C. Jenkins, held Ebey Butler Friday in $2500 bail to await the action of the grand jury. In default of bond he was sent to jail. It is now thought that Obey Butler killed Phillips, but did not kill Hedden or himself. The shooting caused considerable excitement at Rafter at the time. Officers are on the trail of Obey Butler’s alleged slayer.”

Murder in Rafter, Monroe, Tennessee ~ 19 September 1911