Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-06-15
PERSONAL RENCOUNTRR BETWEEN
GEN. MABRY AND COL. BAXTER.
Col. BAXTER shot and slightly wounded.

Yesterday morning at about half past nine
o'clock, our community was thrown into state
of great excitement by an attempt on the part of
Gen Joseph A. Mabry to take the life of Col.
John Baxter. The difficulty grow out of publ
cations and matters well known in this commu-
nifty and to which we need not now refer.
Col. Baxter had expected to go to Maryville
in the morning, to attend Chancery Court, but
owing to the non-arrival of Chancellor Smith,
who was expected 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 before 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, McCung g. 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 II set of instruments for the Welsh
brass band. Col Baxter 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 n derrrger pistol. He went
up unncticed by Baxter, and when very near
MIN nc Cblleu DhAJcr DdAIer
atey looked around to sec who it was, at the
same time drawing down his cane which had
been thrown on his shoulder, when Gen. Mabry
fired, the shot taking effect in Colonel Baxter S
right arm just above the wrist passing entirely
through the heshy part, and grazing the bone.
This so paralyzed Baxters arm that he was I'M
able to use his pistol which he made several
attempts to do, and not wishing to stand up as \
target retreated across the street with his face
toward his assailant When about half way
across the street he made another attempt to
use his pistol, but being unable to do so, con-
tnued to retreat until he got into the store OF
Cowan, McClung & Go. After firing the first
shot, Mabry threw his pistol at Baxter, and then
| following him up, took deliberate aim, firing =
second time without effect, the ball penetrating
Il window in the Palmer building
Mabry was SO near Baxter when the first shot
was fired, that the powder burned his face; tn,
second was fired distance of some ten or if
teen feet, and missed Baxter entirely.
As might be expected, bystsnders vert
thrown into CONSERVATION and sought refug,
behind whatever .object presented itself
large number of persons were on the street a
the time in that immediate locality, number
of them ladies, and it is very fortunate that ne
lives were lost Sheriff Gossctt was present, dis
| playing a commendable zeal in quelling th'
| difficulty. He Immediately arrested Mabry
and took him before Justice Jourolmon, wher,
he waived an examination and gave bond in tn,
sum of one thousand dollars for his appearance,
before the Circuit Court now in session will
G. NJ. Branner Thos. OConner and W. T
Osborn as his security.
Col. Baxter went to his residence, where hi
wound was examined by DR.. Boyd and others
and found to be slight, flesh wound, no bone
being injured.
| AS Gen. Mabry came down the street nun
Der of persons were attracted to the spot, seem
ing to expect something would happen, eithe
from what they had heard, or the known hostili
ties of the'parties toward each other.
Mr. Charlton, the editor of the Wing, wa
standing near the place where the difficult
took place, where he was seen before Mr. Mabr
made the attack He had in his hand, as we ar
informed, drawn pistol, but so far as we knoN
made no attempt to participate. As to his OBJ
ject or intentions we of course have nothing t
say. We simply state facts and leave person
to draw their own differences.
In chargin the Grand Jury, Judge Hall allude
especially to this case urging them to do thei
duty, in taking prompt action to prevent tn
recurrence of similar violations of law. and fC
furnishing those who would endanger the live
of men and women by shooting upon the publ
; thoroughfares of the city, with Il seemingl
} reckless disregard for public safety.
The excitement produced by this affair COZ
tnued throughoutthe day. Knots of gentleme
upon the street corners and in places of bus
ness were discussing the matter, each giving h
view, and each having some peculiar version
the occurrence. We have been careful to gathC
the facts as they exist, without doing injustiC
to any one, or keeping back anything that woul
unnecessarily prejudice the case of either of tn
distinguished gentlemen engaged. We regr
the occurrence exceedingly, but as public jou
nalists we are bound to give the facts as we III
, derstand them to exist
LabOrePs lettering their Condition.
The tide of immigration coming to our shore
from the countries of Europe is so large that ii
aggregate would be sufficient to every year nd
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