Stephen Langford

From http://www.webstercountyky.com/history/harps.php

They continued on the Wilderness Road to a tavern kept by John Farris, in what is now Rockcastle County, near Crab Orchard. Along the way, they were joined by Stephen Langford, from Virginia, who was on his way to visit kinfolks at Crab Orchard and to possibly make this his home.

The next morning, Langford bought breakfast for the Harps and foolishly displayed his money. He and the Harps left together that morning. A few days later, Langford's body was discovered. The body was taken to Farris' tavern where it was identified. Suspicion fell on the Harps and they were caught near Crab Orchard. The captives were taken to Stanford and placed in jail.

From http://newsfeed.rootsweb.com/th/read/SINGLETON/1996-05/0832907117

Major Richard helped Stephen Langford escape after he was sentenced to hang when captured with the Tories at King's Mountain.

From http://helenroulston.com/harpeupdate.html

Stephan Langford (a.k.a. Thomas Langford), who was murdered by the Harpes near Crab Orchard, Kentucky. Langford, of course, befriended the Harpe band at an inn, paid for their breakfast, but made the mistake of setting out with the Harpes and their women. Langford was never seen again.

ROBERT ALLEN, of Madisonville, Tennessee, who formerly taught at Murray State but now teaches at Hiwassee, reports that he is related to Stephan Langford.

As to the victim of the Harp brothers, the relative of mine who was killed was Stephen Langford whose wife was a Singleton His wife's brother, William Singleton, was my great grandfather. Tradition has it that Langford was a Tory and had to leave Brunswick Co. VA, after the Revolution. (Most of her kin, including my ancestor, were pro-Revolution, and another brother was Richard Singleton, the hero of the Battle of Kings Mountain, in NC) Langford was killed by the Harpes en routeto Crab Orchard, KY in 1798. I understand his family still has descendants living around Crab Orchard

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From Killing Cousins: The terrifying true story of the Harpes, who terrorized Tennessee two centuries ago — and paid with their heads by JIM RIDLEY READ RIDLEY OCT 31, 2013 4 AM link

Two hundred and fourteen years ago, the devil himself passed through Tennessee. Or so believed the early settlers and terrified townsfolk who heard the whispers, read the reports, saw the gruesome results with their own disbelieving eyes.

He was an emissary from a distant future — from a time preoccupied with serial murder, increasingly unfazed by the bleakest extremes of human nature. As America prepared for its westward surge, the mandate of manifest destiny, he went west toward his own fate: in a cane break deep in rural Kentucky, with his own butcher knife held tight to his throat.

He remains an enigma. His motives are a blur. Even the color of his hair is disputed. His origins are shrouded in confusion and mystery, and some contradictions may never be fully resolved. This much is known: By a conservative reckoning, he and his steadfast partner — his brother? his cousin? — cut a swath of carnage from Knoxville to Henderson, Ky., that left at least 28 people dead.

Their victims lay face up in rivers, gutted, their eyes wide and staring, their innards replaced with stones. Or they lay hacked and strewn in the Cumberland wilderness, left to entropy's appetite. They were killed for the gold they carried; they were killed despite the kindness they gave. The killers drew no distinction between men and women, boys and girls, children and infants. Not even their own.

Today, the names of Micajah and Wiley Harpe survive as a bloody rebuke to the supposed age of innocence — to the idea of a time when living was easier, people were gentler, and the world made sense. At the end of his horrific spree, Micajah Harpe looked out on a land he had thrown into terror and chaos, a harbinger of the bloodshed civil war would bring the area in the coming century. But to him, it wouldn't have mattered. ...

... Whatever bond holds the women to the Harpes, they rejoin and set course down the Wilderness Road, the trail blazed by Daniel Boone westward into Kentucky. It brings them to the settlement of Little Rock Castle, the last stop for 30 miles on a bitterly cold journey. They arrive at Pharris' Inn, a respite with the bonus of cash-laden travelers.

There, they have the good fortune to run into Stephen Langford. (Some accounts refer to him as Thomas Langford.) A gregarious fellow, he offers to pay for the ravenous, destitute Harpes' food and lodging. They gladly accept, but can't help but notice the abundant coinage as he opens his purse to pay.

In Ernest Harp's telling, the wary innkeeper warns Langford not to flash his cash, that there are blackguards afoot. Langford relays this to his new companions, who concur wholeheartedly. Perhaps they should accompany their friend on his journey, for strength in numbers? Happily, he agrees.

Days later, according to Harp, a cattleman finds the remains of Stephen Langford. His body has been left for scavengers in the underbrush.

The innkeeper identifies Langford. What's more, he fingers the Harpes.