Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-09-06
Shooting of Young Hall and Hanging
OF Young Baker.

We have taken some trouble to learn the leading
facts Of the cases indicated above which, upon the
whole, are the most melancholy occurrences Of the
times. Adjutant VIII. Hall, of the I'd Tennessee
iFederal) Cavalry, acting a Clerk of the Court,
was in the Court House on Monday the place of his
business, and meeting Abner Baker coming out of
Clerks Office, alteration occurred, which result
ed in Baker shooting Hall through the head, from
the effects Of which he died in q few hours Baker
had served three years in the rebel army and at
the breaking out Of the war; when difficulty Oc-
CURED between Hall and another rebel, Baker step
ped up and drew pistol on him. There seems,
therefore 10 have been al old grudge. The evil
dcnCe is, that Hall had no weapon about him but
small rattan cane. The testimony Is that they
met, Hall perceived Baker drawing his revolver, and
broke his cane over him. In the scufie, they got
down upon the floor, and while Hall was endeavor-
in, 10 get away Baker shot him in the back Of the
head
Baker was at once arrested by Sheriff Bearden,
and lodged in Jail There was considerable excite
ment on the street and both citizens and soldiers
we're uttering threats against Baker. We were on
the streets as was in the forenoon of Monday, and
together with Judge Jones, Chancellor Rodgers and
Judge Hall the uncle Of the murdered Adjutant
and many other discrete citizens, all advised
against any mob violence wrong in every respect.
We told those complaining that the murderer was
in Jail and would be dealt with according TO law.
The Esther Of the murdered man, with commendable
mauliness and devotion to law and order, made a
hort talk-said be wanted no violence but wanted
the law TO take discourse Everything quieted down.
and at sunset the streets was cleared of soldiers and
citizens.
At o clock the ire-bell rang, which now turns
out 20 have been the signal for taking Baker out of
sil and hanging him 10 tree in the jail-yard
which is said to have been executed quietly, and
without interruption We reside in East Knoxville,
ard had gone 10 bed a our custom has been TO re-
tire al dark, for years. We heard the ringing Of
the bell and supposed there a fire. 1t turned
ut, however, that Baker WAS hung but by whom,
no one seems 10 know. Reports say that there
we're one thousand persons, led on by an advance
guard Of about forty men.
The Sheriff and Tailor are not in the least 70
blame. They could not stand up with guard Of
~ men against such force We have advised the
Sheriff to donble his guard, and We have no doubt
he Will do so. There are those il the town, who
are .uOCRtt NJ JutoC du are deA
ing why the Governor does not interfere The
Governor Is here and regrets that men who have
ervod in the rebel army for more than three years
are parading the streets loaded down TO the guards
with revovers swearing they have been everpOw-
cred, but not convinced! The Governor regrets
that Union men are shot down by them, and that
their friends in turn are hanging them in violation
If law. The Governor Is as pOwerless as any other
citizen in all such cases. The Governor is not so
much Mortified ; many others He was shocked
tour years ago, when innocent Union men were Ia
ken from his side out Of the same Jail tlro n time
and hung by the other party. and the she-devils
threw Up their white handkerchiefs in appreciation!
The Governor may have been little used to scenes
u this kind, and not feel deeply rs he ought on
this solemn occasion.
Young Baker is reported 10 have met death with
great GOODNESS. He said they could take his lite,
hut he had the consolation to know that he had
kilIed tiree trhitc men and ttro negroes
In conclusion, if the public will have the Cover
uor act for the interests Of all men, he can only
.iriss and charge nothing for advice He advises
I'll who seek to make friends among rebels, by es-
pousing their cause and by ympathising with them,
TO be little more sparing in their denunciations,
ia and little less personal when they speak Of
Union mobs There are tlso sides to all these gues-
IONS and there are tsro parties, and one party, in
this county, numbers, all told, 1876!