Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-06-16
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THE MABRY -BAXTER
- FIGHT.

Il 31SisGA - t1ff ~'sf 81 of Fi~i-ns se.-
now it r0ccarrra-svha, was said
and Done-Theg crsion eE the
lssheAsalie saRers' 20 a75es :
FrOmthe Knoxville Press and Herald, June IA
About half past nine o'clock, yesterday
morning, q personal rencounler occurred
on Gay street, between Gen. Jos. A Ma
/ lbry and Col. John Baxter. 1t appears
that Baxter was standing on the pave
meat ofthe Lamar House, Immediately
| in front Of the barber shop, engaged ia
conversation with a couple of gentlemen.
Gen. Mabry approached him from behind
and touching bis arm, said Sol. Baxter,
business is business.p Baxter faced to-
wards Mabry, when the latter fired; the
ball struck the right wrist of Baxter,
causing flesh wound. ~ . ss1
Mabry then threw his pistol as Baxter,
not striking him, however. Baxter re-
treated across the street, al the same time
drawing his pistol. a covered country
wagon was standing in the street, and
Mr.. Baxter placed the wagon between
himself and Mabry, who pursued him
around with . navy revolver. About this
time Mabry fired across the wagon, and
Baxter dropped his pistol and retreated
into Cowafl, McClung & Co, 5 store. The
second shot of Mabry's missed Baxter and
lodged in an adjacent store, after passing
through the bulk window. Sheriff Cos
sett came on the scene and Mabry and the
Sheriff moved down the street. AT a
hearing before Esquire Jourolmon, Mabry
/ xr.aI
over in the sum of 81 ,000 to answer be-
fore the Circuit Court, now ia session.
From the Knoxville Chronicle, June a.
Yesterday morning, at about half past
nine O'Clock, our community was thrown
into state of great excitement by an at
tempt on the part of Gen. Joseph A.
Mabry to take the life of Col. John Bax-
ter. The difficulty grew out of pubIica
tions and matters well known in this
community, and to which we need not
now refer.
Col. Baxter had expected 10 go to
Maryville, in the morning. to attend
Chancery Court, bot owing to the nel-ar-
rival of Chancellor Smith, who was ex-
pected to hold court, did not leave at the
time he intended to go, and had gone TO
his Office at the Exchange and Deposit
Bank, on business. A few minutes be-
fore the difficulty took place, he left the
bank, and proceeded down Gay street, ON
his way to his residence. Just opposite
the wholesale establishment of Cowan,
McClung & Co., after having been first
detained some moments at the Lamar
House, he was accosted by Mr. Richards,
who presented a paper, asking him to |
subscribe something to aid in purchasing
set of instruments for the Welsh brass
band. Col. Baxter was proceeding to do |
so, when Gen. Mabry approached from
behind him, from the direction of the
Lamar House, having, in the meantime,
as we are informed, cooked and drawn a
derringer pistol He went up unnOticed
by Baxter, and when very near him be
called Baxter's name. Baxter immedi-
ately looked around TO see who it was, at
the same time drawing down his cane,
which had been thrown on his shoul-
der, when Gen. Mabry fired, the shot
taking effect in Col. Bakers right arm,
just above the wrist, passing entirely
through the fiesliy part, and grazing the |
bone. This so paralyzed Baxter's arm
that he was unable to draw his pistol,
which be made several attempts to do, and
not wishing te stand up as a target,
retreated across the street. with his face
toward his assailant. When about half |
way across the street he made another at
tempt to draw his pistol, but being una
Bile to do SO, continued to retreat until he |
got into the store of COwan, McClung s
Co. After firing the first shot, Ma5ry threw
his pistol at Baxter, and then following
him up, took delibera.e aim, firing se-
cond time without effect, the ball pene-
trating window in the Palmer building.
Mabry was so near Baxter when the
first shot was fired, that the powder burned
his face; the second was fired distance
of some ten or fifteen feet, and missed
Baxter entirely. ~ f--- -. .-t
AS might be expected, bystanders were
thrown into CONSERVATION and sought
refuge behind whatever object presented
itself. A large number of persons were
on the street at the time in that immediate
locality, number of them ladies, and it
is very fortunate that no lives were lost.
Sheriff GOssett was present, displaying a
zeal in quelling the diff
Guilty. he Immediately arrested Mabry
and took him before Justice Jourolmon,
where he waived an examination and gave
bond in the sum of 81, 900 for his appear
ance before the Circuit Court now in ses-
sion, with G. NJ. Branner, Thos. O'Conner
and w. T. Osborn as his security.
Col. Baxter went to his residence,
where his wound was examined by DIR.
Boyd and others, and found to be slight,
4 flesh wound, no bones being injured.
As Gen. Mabry came down the street
number of persons were attracted to the
spot, seeming to expect something would
happen, either from what they had heard,
or the known hostility of the parties
coward each other.
MIR. Charlton, the editor of the Whig, |
vas standing near the place where the
iit1culty took place, where he was seen
before Mr.. Mabry made the attack. He
lad in his hands, as we are informed, a |
lrawn pistol, but SO far as we know
made no attempt to participate. As to
MS object or intentions we of course have
nothing to say. We simply state facts
and leave persons to draw their own in
ferences.
In charging the grand Jury, Judge Hall
alluded especially to this case, urging
hem to do their duty in taking prompt
Iction topreYent the recurrence of similar
of law, and for furnishing those
Who would endanger the lives of men and
women by shooting upon the public
of the city, with seeming
Y reckless disregard for public safety.
The excitement produced by this affair
ontinued throughout the day. Knots of
entlemen upon the street corners and in
laces of business were discussing the
natter, each giving his view, and each
aving some peculiar version of the oc- i
urrence. We have been careful to
ather the facts as they exist, without
ding injustice to any one, or keeping
ack anything that would unnecessarily
rejudice the case of either of the dis
nguished gentlemen engaged. We re-
ret the occurrence exceedingly, but as
ublic Journalists we are bound to give ,
le facts as we understand them to exist
Dr. FRANKLIN describes the ia rmer's | [
,ndition in 1776, as follows
FARMER at tf,e uIOv n