Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-18

against notorious gambler and blackleg whom
the good people of Nashville began to think OF
ejecting from their usually quiet and urbane So
ciety. John Nelson, another actor in the scene,
had come up from Knoxville in Knox county,
where he edits somewhat scurrilous little pa
per called "Uncle Sam,n for the purpose of
discrediting the testimony of Gen. Mabray; or
in other words, of stating that the said General
was not worthy to be believed on oatll-that one
blackguard and gambler was just as respecta-
BILE as another, &c. To rebut this testimony,
Gen. Mabray, being wealthy, had taken into his
pay fugitive from justice in East Tennessee,
by the nameof Lanier, and both, heavily armed
with pistols, sailed out this morning into the
market-place, and passed through the crowds
usually assembled there with fierce and brist-
ling air. Nelson was also in the market, armed,
and fully aware of their designs.
After they had brushed by Nelson, he remark
ed to a gentleman that those fellows meant to
shoot him, and that as they passed him he saw
one of them put his hand in his bosom and
grasp the but Of pistol. He therefore decla-
red his intention of getting out Of their way
Nelson went into Cowboys, thinkinglthey would
not follow him for an assault in the house,
while he was drinking glass of soda, both
came into the ROOM passed him, and went into
the liquor bar an inner apartment Nelson had
one pistol cooked in his pantaioons pocket,
which, while he was paying for his soda, acct
ejecting the ball into the floor within an inch or
two of his feet. Both the ruffians Immediately
rushed upon him with drawn pistols, accusing
him of firing upon them. His protestations
that it was an accidental discharge, together
with those of the person who attended upon the
soda fount, were of no avail. They both at
tempted to fire upon him. One pistol cap eX-
ploded, rendering the shot of no avail. have
not yet learned whether the other shot took eff
feet or not.
Nelson, nothing daunted, drew another pistol
and made for Mabray who ran and received
the fire while upon the full gallop into the back
apartment. The ball grazed the gentleman de-
legate's coat and pantaloons, but did not tres
pass upon his flesh and blood. Finding Nelson
now without charge, both ofhis assaiants re-
turned with their loaded pistols, and Mabray, as
if is said deliberately shot him through the body,
while the other tied his head and shot away
piece of his nose. The wounded man was then
dragged into an adjoining store, by a humane
citizen, and the battle ceased.
| have just seen Doctor Waters, who extract
ed the ball from Nelson. He told me that it en-
tered just above the pevis, passed quite through
his body, and was cut out of his back, badly
bruised, as if it had rough passage. The in
testines are not ascertained to be cut-so that
there is bare possibility he may recover.
Mabray has been arrested and held to bail to
await the consequence, in the sum ten thou
sand dollars, with three sureties. He occasion
ally takes his seat to-day in the Convention
but seems to have Cain-like expression on his
brow.
Lanier fied-but the Governors reward will
be speedily offered There seems sensitive
ness pervading the Convention, as if they did
not feel themselves honored by the company
of gentleman so fresh in his bloody laurels-
vet know not what order will be taken upon
the matter You will see that this outrageis no
stain upon the excellent citizens OF Nashville
They universally reprobate it.