Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-07
THE PISTOL IN COUNCIL
A Curious Scene in the City Council
of Charleston, =. Can Alderman
Fires Three Shots at His Nephew
An Incident of Radical Rule.

At meeting of the City Council in
Charleston, S. c., on Thursday, Oct. %,
a motion was made that the report of
committee in favor of paying $4,000 to
Mai. Corbin, for legal services to the
Board, be adopted, and was declared by
the Mayor, the presiding officer TO be
passed. Loud calls for the yeas aud nays
were made, and a scene of confusion en-
sued. What followed is shown in the
following extract from the report of the
Charleston Courier:
Alderman f. w. NJ. Mackey resumed
the floor, and continued to rebuke the
Mayor for his illegal conduct. He alluded
to the statement of Alderman I. j.
Mackey, which he limited was not true.
At this IT. J. Mackey arose very much
exasperated, and said: ''This fellow
only brands me with falsehood, because
be owes it to the place he is in that he is
not chastised as he deserves.
Alderman E. W. NJ. Mackey-Iou need
not attempt to bully me. came here to
fight this robbery, and am not afraid of
YOU or of any of the parcel of men who
are attempting to rob the city of 81, 600
to pay your prlVale utDtS.
Here Alderman T. J. Macky said: q
will chastise the insolent puppy when he
leaves this room, = and left the room, dar-
ing his nephew to follow him.
Alderman E. w. NJ Mackey proceeded
promptly to follow him, when he was in
tercepted by several of the Aldermen and
brought back to his seat. He then con-
tfnued to denounce the action of the
Mayor, and while he was speaking, Al
derman T. ]. Mackey, whotrembled from
rage. returned into the room and ap-
| preached the speaker. As he entered the
room his pistol belt could be seen outside
of his vest, which gave rise to the pre-
sumption that he had armed himself. He
anproached Alderman E. w. NJ. Mackey
and observing very excitedly, 81 will
| chastise the fellow" drew Colts navy
revolver, and struck at him. The blow
| was warded off, when he drew back O
few PAGES, cooked his pistol, and, aiming
at Alderman f. w. NJ. Mackey, pulled
the trigger. The pistol failed to go off,
when he again cOckedit andfired. The bal
| had the effect of producing a speedy ad
| iournment of a number of wOOlly-pateC
| spectators who were present. In less thar
it takes to relate it the room was cleared
all manner of people lodged under desk:
| and slowed themselves in inconceivably
small spaces, and as the other shots of thu
pistol followed, the unfaithful chung close
to their impromptu breast works. Tn,
Mayor Clay down low" behind his desk
while others took refuge in his room. TIL,
reporters having been penned up by thei
semi-circular desk, were obliged TO stan,
the first fire, but after q while succeeded
in beating a mastery retreat to the May
or's room, retiring in good order ant
bringing off their baggage wagOns-tha
is, their notes.
Three shots were fired by Alderman I
]. Mackey, during which Alderman F
W. M. Mackey drew his pistol, but di
not fire After firing the first shot, Alder
man #. J. Mackey was seized by tw
colored Aldermen and held, but succeede
in firing three shots, one of which struc
and perforated the Alderman's desk, on
went through the east window, and tn
third struck the wall Immediately abov
the desk of the Mayor. After a Will
quiet was restored, the members returne
and the Mayor called the meeting to order
Alderman It. J. Mackey entered tn
room and said: 'NIr. Mayor and ger
tlemeO, | have come here for tn
purpose CT expressing my deep sorro1
at the act which was betrayed into con
hitting few moments ago. 1 am pr
pared to lay before this council certificate
from two physicians that l have been su
fering from fractured jaw for. sever
days, and this afternoon took large dos
: of morphine. was not sensible of N
actions When gOaded on by what thougl
an attempt TO take my life l was temple
to peril the life of kinsman, by who
bullet | would rather be slain than
: harm a hair of his head. l make tn
apology not knowing whether shall
here at this board again. | deem 1T d
to the council and to he public to sho
!. that ] am. not q Tlffian and assassin. ]
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