Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-07-17
Hawkins County Tragedy.

About two weeks ago Bill Sizemore shot and killed
an ex-FDderal Lieutenant, by the name of Webster,
in Rogersville, Hawkins county. Now, it happens
that Webster was a Conservative and Sizemore q
Radical.
That il should create great sensation is atogeth
er natural for Webster is the second Conservative
Brown of Franklin county being the frst) who
has persisted in Tennessee, at the hands of a Radi
cal in twelve months that we have any recollec-
ton of.
Our copperhesd Knoxville papers have raised a
great howl over this tragedy They assert it was a
deliberate cold bloodod murder That Sizemore
killed Webster wit hout the shadow of proroca-
ton, and solely because he Webster) was Conser-
vativc If the statements of our contemporaries
are true Sizemore is guilty of murder and wo hope
70 see him dealt with as the lswidrects.
But we doubt whether our Copperhead- Rehs3
contemporaries have made correct statement. In
fact learn from as worthy citizens as the county
affords that the facts are not stated by the rebels
and Copperheads. Our information is, that while
the killing of Webster not necessary or iustable
yet it was drunken fight not on account-certainly
not solely on account of political differences.
Both Sizemore and Webster have been regarded
as dangerous or desperate men. Webster killed
man but few weeks since The rebel papers of
Knoxville say that Sizemore has killed something
like dozen men. We have heard that during the
war he shot several men. They say Sizemore was
in the rebel army and is the Radical candidate for
the Legislature, and hold him up as a leading, in
Ruential Radical and charge the whole party with
being responsible for his acts.
Briefly we will reply TO these accusations. We
have heard Szemore was in the rebel army for a
few months at the commencement of the war
Soon he left it and Joined his brother in the Union
army
His brother was captured by the rebels while
openly, honorably discharging his duty as a Union
soldier. After capture be was brutally murdered
by squad Of guerrillss and out-throats It
said Bill Sizemore has killed several of his
brothers murderers.
That Sizemore is the Ra dical candidate for the
Legislature is untrue. H 9 was candidate before
the Convention and was defeated by unanimous
vote weeks since.
II he has been a candidate since it has been in
opposition TO the party.
That be was leader in the party is absolutely
untrue These VIGOROUSLY false charges are sufi-
Gent to justify us in doubling the truth of the 9TH
er statements made by the rebels Added to this
is the outrageously unjust charge that the Radical
party as party, is responsible for the iadivid.aaI
eets Of member of that party. Booth was Con-
servstive and rebel, and We have as much right to
charge every Conservative and rebel with being an
assassin because Of Booths acts as the Free Press
and Messenger have TO charge all Radicals with be-
ing responsible FOR Szemore's acts.
One word more:
On the 9th inst at Tullahouna. one Of the mill
tia was murdered by an ex-rebel Captain.
Two weeks age, without the slightest provoca-
ton, colored man was foully murdered bya Con-
servstive near Trenton, in Gibson county. This
county gave 1000 votes for secession and 2s6 against
It in 1851 Not one word have the rebel paper, Of
knoxville said about those murders No howl is |
raised by them when Union man is murdered.
The truth is a Conservative. or the majority Of |
inns party seem to think there h no crime in muir
dering o Radical, but Tor Radical to kill Con- |
sentative Is as great outrage as was the cruel.
fXion Of Christ
f-S.--Sinoe writing the above we learn that siza-
more alter having led has come In and voluntarily
u'f'pdered himself 70 the civil authorities and
s"en bond for his appearance at court His bonas
r., are Hon G. J. Mckinney, f. E. CLEARWATER
- and Dix Alexander. Men Of
s,a.l l''s'ss ana responsible Cor ten times ,bo
amount OF the bond Since he did III. ,ta -. ~
HsAu' nave threatened TO hang him.