Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-06-28
SHOOTING ARRAY.
A Passage at Arms on Main
street.
John H. Kelly shot by Detective
Ben Garrett.

Yesterday morning, sbout half-Past
ten o'clock, shooting affrsy occurred
at the corner Of Main street, and the
alley which crosses it between Union
and Gayoso streets, between Mr.. Ben
Garrett, a well-known Metropolitan Po-
lice detective, and 3 man by the name Of
Jno. H. Kelly. The following is an ac-
curste account Of the affair, CLEANED
from eye witnesses and from the parties
themselves:
About ten O'Clock yesterday morning,
Mr.. Garrett went into Achle's bar room,
on the corner of Union and Second
streets, to take a lunch. While at the
stand John Kelly came in and stood
on the opposite side of the table
and was also helped to lunch. Garret
looked up and saw Kelly standing there
watching him, and he laid down his
knife and fork and looked square at
Kelly, very intently. Kelly spoke to
him, using an oath, and asked him
"what he was looking at him for"
Garrett answered that he had right
to look at any man he pleased" and
added, 81 told you once never to speak
to me again, you dirty puppy" Upon
this Kelly turned from the table and re-
marking, 1T will kill you, d-n you, for
this,n left the house by the front door,
(opening on Second street, and walked
toward Gsyoso street. A moment or
two afterward Carrot left the house, and
proceeded dowa Union street toward
Main. At the corner of the Greenlaw
Opera House, (across the street from the
saloon he met P. K. Burke of the Second
District police, and said to him that he ex-
pected to be shot by Kelly, and asked him
to go along with him. Burke complied
with bis request, and the two walked
down to Main street together. Mean
while Kelly, after leaving the saloon,
went to the room of friend of his, Mr..
Swan, and got pistol, and returned to
Second street. At the stairs leading up
To Squire Blacks Office, he met an &C
nuaintancs named Mcknight, who, see
ing him very much agitated, asked what
was the matter. He replied that he had
been "insulted by , and would
kill him before night" and crossed over
the street and went down the alley be-
tween the Greenlaw Opera House and
Mslatesta's ar-roon, the "Court Re
cess" By the time that he got to Main
street, Garrett and Burke, walking down
Main street, had nearly reached the
mouth Of the alley; and as soon as be
saw them approaching he drew a
Colts revolver and fired at Garrett,
who stepped In doorway to shield him
self The shot missea, and he again
Ieveled his pistol, but 1t refused to ex-
plode, the cap swapping; upon which he
retreated into the alley, and Garrett,
drawing his revolver, walked to the cor
ner and fired at him as he was moving
of. The shot took effect in the right
shoulder, passing entirely through the
body, bringing him to the ground. As
he fell, Garrett again fred, the second
shot also hitting him, this time passing
through tine groin, infiicting a terrible, If
not mortal, wound.
Garrett then gave himself up to Po-
Iiceman Burke, who escorted him to the
Second District police station. The
wounded tasn Yas conveyed to Wilker-
sons drug store near by, and nis wounds
we're dressed by DR.. Otey, after which
he was removed to his own room, where
he now lies in a very critical condition.
In the afternoon Garrett was taken be-
fore Squire 6rihitn, EbG, sfter 2 pa
tient investigation Of the whole affair,
discharged him on the grounds of his
hsying acted purely in self defense.
we sfe in possession of the full facts
and causes WHICH lee te tag gnfortunste
affair, but at the request OF several par
ties refrain from using them. Suffice to
say that the matter is an old family
affair, the delEiIp Of which will not be
made public unless occasion demands it.
Garrett is known by every one in
Memphis as quiet, peaceable gentle
man, who would harm no one unless
driven to do so. Kelly was formerly for
a few months in the employ of Tobin,
Lynn & Co., bRt Of late has not been do
ing anything.