Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-06-19
Assault upon Hon. James Mullins, with
Probable Intent to Kill.
Edifor - dad Timss

Probable Intent to Kill.
Editor Press and Times ~ sa
Col. Mullins filed an appointment at
Beech Grove, Coffee county, on Saturday
last. The preponderance of whites were Of
the aSouthern persuasion, having expect
ed, they said, to find Captain Sheafe pre-
sent to answer Mullins. Itis fact that
Mr.. Cooper, the Conservative candidate, de-
clines to speak with Mullins, and Mr.,
Colyar, of Winchester, and this ex- Federal
Captain, Of Manchester, have several times
been present at Col. Mullins appointments
without any notice to him, and proposed
to speak with him, which Col. Mullins has
declined to do, unless they make it appear
that Mr.. Cooper desires he should Capt.
Sheaffe ms well as Col Coiyar, are bitter
Copperheads The Captain advises there
bells Of Coffee county, to vote anyhow, by
force, if necessary, and promises himself as
a lawyer to defend them if prosecuted.)
Capt Sheaffe, however, did not attend at
Beech Grove, and the disappointed pitched
upon an old citizen of considerable wealth
but never politician, who unfortunately
had his name connected with one Of
Starnes' raids upon small Federal garri-
son at Wartrace depot, in 1862, in which
several were killed on beth sides. The as
sailants, thought twice the number of the
garrison were repulsed The friends of
this old citizen always denied (uponhis say
sol that he acted as guide for Starnes on
this occasion, but he became greatly alarm
ed for his safety and refugeed into the re-
bel lines and remained there until the end
of the war .s.,
W. are particular in giving these facts
that the probable animus of the attack
upon Col. Williams may be seen. e
Before the speaking commenced some
slight but sober demonstrations were made
of a spirit bent on mischief ,,-l-, sss5 K.
During the speaking (Which took place
in meeting house) q drunken man Cor
pretending to be drunk attempted several
times to ride in the house, and who was
nephew Of the old citizen. He was pre-
vented by good citizen though former
rebel, from doing so, and perhaps it would
be as well right here to say there were
others on the ground of the same antece-
dents, who deprecated and regretted the
violent spirit manifested. As soon as Col.
Williams closed his speech he was notified
Of the threats and menaces that had been
made out Of doors during the speaking,
and advised TO tarry in the house few
moments, and sec if the desperadoes would
not dispense with the general crowd How
ever, he did not larry long, as his friends
reported that the bulles had gone off some
! little distanceto grocery and it was deem
! ed good time to depart without any COLI
sion. But Col Mullins horse having got
loose, some little time elapsed in finding the
nag, and before he got off with his Cannon
county friends, atwhese county seat he was
to speak on the Monday following, the old
citizen and reported guide of Starnes' raid
upen the Federal garrison at Wartrace
depot in 1862 rode up to Mullins. to whom
Mullins spoke, saying goodbye, to which
/ he responded 81 am here, and you have en-
| franchised the 5;igser and DISTINGUISHED me- -
| To which Mullins replied No Andy
Johnson saysyou disfranchised yourselves.
/ To which he replied, at is a id lie SIR
BY this time the body OF the roughs
seemed to have returned from the grocery
Mullins on his horse started, TO join his
Cannon friends when--rode after him,
saying /" Sir, say tits id lie = repeat
ing it several times. He got before Mullins
and dismounted, and commenced drawing
his coat, cursing and gesticulating with
stick in hand his nephew and others re-
marking, 60 in, we-are here, We, are your
friends, etc. Mullins was temporarily stop
ped, and said Well, Andy Johnson said
YOU did y rF - sf~ 30
Just at this luncture Hon. b. NJ. Tillman,
Chancellor of q new district and late APP
pointee by Gov Brownlow, called out to
Mullins, Your company is waiting for you,
como on. don't stop there Mullins hear
ing him said. & Go away / don't want any
difficulty with you, and rode on to his
Cannon county friends. The old citizen,
who is also near neighbor Of Judge Till
man. both living not far from the Grove,
discovered the Judge, and said, Yes, here
is Bash Tillman, and l say TO him, that
every man who would accept an appoint
ment under Brewnlow, under the cireum-
stances, is a damned seomdrel''~ This he
repeated several times, advancing upon the.
Judge. The Judge was exceedingly sur
prised, for they bad been neighbors since !
his return home, and during his absence the |
Judge did everything he could 10 protect |
his stock and farm. i. - s....- ~, - -
The Judge expressed his SURPRISE and |
said 20 has neighbor, You viii be sorry
for this when you get cool which seemed /
VIZ .hlGINr anu ultl lltl (
deslst RON advancing upon him until he /
said 10 him, Mr. -. i want NO. difficulty
with you, and these people will see / want
none. This remark brought him TO a halt,
and the Judge moved off and returned to
his home with his Cannon county friends.
AR, Editor i have been particular as to
the order and manner Of this assault 1
have no doubt that the parties intended to
beat, II not TO kill Mullins, and Brownlows
aPpointee nor any other man would have
been peTmitted to interfere for his relief or
brotect9n. only At the risk OF their own
lives. J have called no names of tho os
saiiants They are highly connected and
many Of them arc good -meaning citizens.
e a,,.s Of peace but tell YOU, sir. such
sh can do nothing with the armed
/ desperadoos OF the land
fnE Card Of r Leonard Of Monroe