The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-12-15
From the BolfN ar Times.
Death OF Captain william Lewis

II is with feelings of the deepest sorrow
that we chronicle the death OF Capt William
Lewis ut the hands of John w. Harris, at
Neblett's Landing, on Saturday last the
! I2th inst.
| Il is not the province of a journalist to
comment on a case before its final determi-
/ nation before proper tribunal. Much
/ harm is frequently done by forming bias
naturally given. We DO no more than pub
! lish the testimony as given before the coro-
ner's Jury of inquest the following day.
Mr. Harris Is a merchant OF the firm of
| Harris q Coleman, doing business at Neb-
| let's Landing.
| Captain Lewis has been farming near that
1 place Tor the last two years, and contracte
| "A debt OF the firm amounting to about one
| thousand dollars for supplies during this
/ and part of last year. He gave the firm
lien on his effects to secure this, giving other
1 liens TO others on same property.
| This led Mr.. Harris to say that he had con-
| tracted this debt with view of defrauding
the firm.
| This having reached the ears of Captain
Lewis, he wrote to Mr.. Harris demanding
retractiOn and an apology, or that he should
give him tue satisfaction due gentlemen Ia
| such cases.
| MIR. Harris replied that when Capt. Lewis
should pay him the amount due him, then
he would treat with him Oh the subject.
Meantime, the friends of both parties en-
deavored to effect a reconciliation without
effect.
Capt. Lewis Immediately posted Mr.. Har-
ris at Cooks aud Neblett's landings, saying
that Mr.. Harris had DETAINED him without
giving him satisfaction, and that he =" here
denounced him as a liar, a coward and a
scoundrcl, and unworthy the notice OF all
gentlemen" Such was the conclusion OF
the notice.
E Matters wore along without incident for
three or four days, both parties being on the
qui vive for the denouement till last Satnr-
l'day at noon. when Capt. Lewis was passing
down a road parallel to Harris & Coleman :
store. and was distant from it about three
hundred yards, going in the direction OF
LoDcells store, some five hundred yards be-
2 low. At this juncture he was hailed by a
friend on business, stPnding about midway
a between Harris q COlemans store and his
then position. lie approached and began
, | conversation with him, saying that he saw
l the handful posted at that landing had
: been torn down.
Meantime Mr.. Harris saw him from the
i | window OF the store, and, with a double
! barreled shot gun, left the store and began
/ advancing in the direction of Lewis, who
/ was sitting on his horse talking to witness
Lewis perceived him when within about
fifty PAGES, and dismounted and advanced
at rapid pace towards Harris (altogethel
- some ten or fifteen paces.l who was himsel
K advancing with his gun at "a ready" Wit
T less attempted 10 interpose, but was told by
: Harris to get out of the way. which he did
v dead, his pistol falling at his side cooked.
/ Mr.. Harris Immediately surrendered him
self TO the authorities, and the following
- day jury ofinquest was held, and return
4 ed verdict of justifiable homicide from TIN
foregoing testimony, which we have EN-
S deavored faithfully to report, nothing eX
a tenuating, naught in malice
Mr.. Harris is about forty years of age. ha
{ a family, ard is well and favorably known
= in the county.
i Capt Lewis was about thirty years IF age
n had no family, and had been here about tw'
: | years. He was steady and energetic in bust
{ / ness and W as not extensively known in TIN
county. on account of his constant attention
| to his planting interest.
q lie was at West Point at the breaking on
! of the war, from this State, and held tn
| rank of Captain during the struggle. IL
was contemplating, when we last talket
p with him. entering the Egyptian army un
der the Viceroy, there beng there many o
his brother officers from the South who heil
e out to him flattering prospects.