The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-09-09
Queer Story of Sons Revenge.

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AS far back in our city's history as 1872
lourished then young scoundrel of six
teen wears known as tie tThe Knife" tc
those who knew of him and of his habit ei
invariably drawing knife upon anybody
that happened to in any way offend him
His name was James Watson, but among
the companions of his earlier days he was
scarcely known by it, "rbe knife" having
taken it's place ever since when he was
fourteen years of age he had badly cut a
younger playmate upon whom he had tail
ed to force q cheating bargain. "The
Knife" first became known to the watch
as professionally dishonest when, in
1S45, he was caught, with two other bur
glars. in the act of robbing a jewelry
store on the Landing. He managed to
wiggle out of this case; shortly after
which he left the city and went to Pitts
burg, Cleveland, and Buffalo, and even
farther East, committing many crimes,
and almost invariably escaping detection.
In fact, it was not until he became we'll
known to the authorities of Buffalo, and
was at length detected in 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, Wat
son, in drunken broil in drinking 3D.
loon at the last named city, drew knife
upon William Webb, the captain of the
schooner North Star, and cut him in such
q manner that he died of the wounds.
Watson escaped the immediate vengeance
that even this crime should have brought
upon him. In fact, his identity was not
fully established, and tho police had no
clue along which to follow to his arrest.
However, shortly after his fathers death,
the son, John Webb, young man of
twenty years, learned from one of Wat
sons former associates of Chicago who
it was that had made him fatherless.
Obtaining q minute description of his per
son, including note of scar across his
forehead that could not be easily forgot
ten, be 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
was supposed.
In the years that followed each other
John Webb went to the bad under the in
fuence of Chicago life, becoming almost
as desperate character as his fathers
murderer.
When the war broke out he enlisted in
an Illinois regiment and served several
years-known always as reckless, des-
perate soldier, fighting bravely, but al
ways in trouble on account of his insub-
ordination. When he was finally dis
charged he went West, and for several
years led wandering life, until at Fort
Benton, few weeks since, he met this
Watson in a gambling saloon, recognized
him, threw glass of whiskey into his
face, ard then very coolly shot him SIX
times with revolver, letting his life out
through at least three mortal wounds.
1t appears that they were sitting side by
side at a faro.spread, both betting white
chips on the same cards. Hearing Wat
sons name called by the dealer, Webb
examined his face closely, and finding in
it every mark of the old-time description,
introduced conversation, and managed
to learn from Watson that lie was in Chi
cago in March, 1856, the time of the mur-
der
This settled it with Webb. He didn't
wait for the evidence of witnesses, or
think of appealing to lava very scarce
article in that part of the world. While
taking a drink of whiskey he carelessly
took up some of Watson's chips, as if
making a mistake in shifting a bet. Wat
son cursed the mistake and it's author, an
nouncing that those were his chips. Webb
shifted the glass to his left hand and reck'
oned not, at the same time cooking a re.
volver in his pocket with his right. Wat.
son jumped up and pulled his knife
Webb dashed the whiskey into his face
blinded him for an instant, and tten, as
Watson came at him, commenced shoot
ing, and without going into the heroics OF
even exclaimng "My fathers murderer y
proceeded to settle old scores He then
walked out of the saloon, md without
much trouble made his escape.