The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-10
A Sons Vengeance.

As far back in our city's history as 1842
fiourished then young scOundrel of six
teen years, known as " the Knife" to
those who knew of him and of his habit OF
invariably drawing knife upon any body
that happened to, in any way, offend him.
His name was James Watson, but among
the companions of his esrlier days he was
scarcely known by it, "the Knife" having
taken its place ever since. When he was
fourteen years of age, he had badly cut q
younger playmate upon whom he had
failed to force cheating bargain. "The
Knife first became known to the watch
as professionally dishonest when, in 1845,
he was caught with two other burglars in
the act of robbing jewelry store on the
Landing. He managed to wiggle out Of
this case, shortly after which he left the
city and went to Pittsburgh, Cleveland
and Buffalo, and even farther East, COM
mitting many crimes, and almost invaria-
bly, escaping detection.
In fact it was not until he became well
know to the authorities of Buffalo, and
was at length detected in a steamboat
robbery at that point, in 1850, that he was
convicted and forced to serve five years.
Returning to Buffalo in 1856, and thence
to Cleveland and Chicago, Watson, in a
drunken broil in drinking saloon at the
last named city, drew knife upon William
Webb, the captain of the schooner North
Star, and cut him in such manner that
he died of his wounds. Watson escaped
the immediate vengeance that even this
crime should have brought upon him. In
fact his identity was not fully established,
and the police had no clue along which to
follow to his arrest However, shortly af
ter his fathers death, the son. John Webb,
young man Of twenty years, learned
from one of Watson's former associates of
Chicago who it was that had made him
htherless. Obtaining minute descrip-
ton of his person, including a note of a
scar across his forehead that could not be
easily forgotten, he took every step in his
power to have him brought to justice. But
all efforts to this end proved fruitless, as
Watson had gone far South-to Texas it
it was supposed.
In the years that followed each other,
John Webb went to the bad, under the
influence of Chicago life, becoming almost
as desperate character as his father 8
murderer.
When the war broke out he enlisted in
an Illinois regiment, and served several
years, known always as reckless, desper-
ate soldier, fighting bravely, but always in
trouble on account of his insubordination.
When he was finally discharged he went
West, and for several years led a wander
ing life, until at Fort Benton, few weeks
since, he met this Watson in gambling
saloon, recognized him, threw a glass of
whisky in his face, and then very coolly
shot him six times with revolver, letting
his life out through at least three mortal
wounds. 1t appears that they were sit
ting side by side at faro spread, both
betting white chips on the same cards.
Hearing Watson's name called by the
dealer, Webb examined the face closely, and
finding in it every mark of the old-time de-
scriptiOn, introduced a conversation, and
managed to learn from Watson that he was
in Chicago in March of 1856, the time OF
the murder.
This settled it with Webb. He didn't
wait for the evidence of witnesses, or
think of appealing to law, very scarce
article in that part of the world. While
taking drink of whisky he carelessly
took up some of Watson's chips, as if max
ing mistake in shifting a bet. Watson
cursed the mistake and its author, announc-
ing that those were his chips. Webb shifted
the glass to his left hand and reckoned not,
at the same time cooking revolver in his
pocket with his right. Watson jumped up
and pulled his knife Webb dashed the
whisky in his face, binding him for an in
slant, and then, as Watson came at him,
commenced shooting, and without going
into the heroics or even exclaiming, My
fathers murderer" proceeded to settle old
scores He then walked out of the saloon,
and without much trouble made his escape.
-Csacinndti Commercial, August %.