The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-04-11
SHOCKO JONES
IN "a NEW soHARAOTER-A AN ADYo-

GATE.
"A spondent of the Nashville
Wing tells the following good one of the
notorious -or celebrated, if the reader
viii Shocko Jones, which the types
have now for the first time made public:
Our hero, after as magnifciently do
ing s. S. Prentiss end tho Mississipph
banks in 1887 retired to the shades of
q comparatively private life, settling in
Columbus, the field of his former glory,
where his society was the delight Of all
true lovers Of fun and frolic, those only
excepted who had been the victims of
his first grand plot. Here he engaged
in no ostensible occupation, save now
and then attending to small matters Of
business for his most particular friends.
He often relieved the monotony of his
quiet why of existence, by rehearsing
the past adventures Of himself and
fPrent,' or by playing off some new ,use,
which the irresistible old dog in whom
he would be at, with q seriousness that
deceived even those who best knew him.
a One day--it was the first ofsApril,
when Mississippi blood begins to course
more rapidly after the damp fogs Of
winter--two of the chivalric spirits of
Columbus engaged in mortal combat in
one of the principal streets, but FORUM
ately did no great damage to themselves,
though pistols and bowie.knives were
freely used. The affair was too public,
however, to escape the notice of the au-
:thorities, and Mr.. D., the aggres.
sor, was Immediately brought before the
committing magistrates on the charge
of assault and battery with intent to
kill; and Mr.. b, the party attack
ed, was summoned to attend as a wit
ness. A good deal of excitement was
manifested, since both parties we're gen
tlemen of responsibility, and the Court
room was soon filed with persons eager
to see the issue of the trial.
The prosecution exhibited a quiet
firmness and sclfsatisfed air that clear
ly indicated their confidence of success.
Poor D. felt the case was a bad
one, and the probable prospect of two
or three years incarceration in the State
prison rendered his thoughts anything
but cnviable. Seized also ere he had
time to consult a lawyer, he appeared
without the MD of o counsel. But cas-
ting his eyes over the crowd, and seeing
Shocko Jones, whose tact was known to
him, whose face assuredly, in its graver
phase, might pass for Soloman's, and
who had just commenced the study of
law, bit procured licence, Dcon-
cluded that, in the emergency, he could
not intrust his cause in better hands.
The witnesses were unanimous. They
testified that, on account of difficulty
which occurred between the bclligerents,
D had armed himself and delibe-
rately discharged pistol at him, cvi-
IDENTITY with intent to kill. The prose-
cution finished the examination of their
witnesses without interruption or con-
tradiction from the prisoners side, and
the magistrates now only waited what
could be shown in his defence.
Shocko beheld every ground of hope
washed from under his client like sand,
but most q genius when most pinchcd,
he determined to make bold stroke to
save him.
The principal witness, who was an
old man of much simplicity as well as
honesty of character, was called to the
stand. Every eye fixed on Jones as he
soberly addressed him.
Are you acquainted with Mr.. D
-, the defendant?'
yes, I know him WE'LL
'He is brave man, is he not?'
yes, remarkably cool and brave
lis he not good shot?'
4 believe he is rather noted as q
marksman.'
'How far did you say Mr.. D.
was from MIR. B.--when the pistol
was fired?'
sQuite near; not more than six or
eight paces.'
'You say that D. is q cool man,
and good shot. Do you see any rea.
son why he did not hit B-a, that
distance?'
mo. i was surprised that B
was not killed.
Perhaps l can tell you,' insinuated
Shocko, who up to this time had asked
his questions with the greatest sobricty,
but whose expressive countcnance now
assumed a smiling, knowing look, as he
proceeded. do you know, old gentle
man, that thas IS the first day Of ApriH
Doesn't THAT explain the whole mat
L.. L., 4 I. 4 4.