Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-10-25
The Assault UpOn Colonel Prosser.

Last week, our Nashville correspondent |
favored us with paragraph telling how |
Col. w. F. Prosser, the Postmaster at |
Nashville, had been assaulted by son of
Ex-Governor Brown. From the tribune, |
of Monday, we take the following state
ment:
"On Monday evening last, about half
past four O'clock, squad of young men,
Including two sons of EX-Gov. Neill S.
Brown, visited the Tribune office, and call
ed the attention of DIR. Grisham, the Local
Editor, to an article which had appeared
in the Tribune that morning, demanding
very peremptorily the name of the writer
in question. He replied that he was not
the author, and it would be necessary to
consult him before he gave his name.
They insisted on having his name imme-
diately, and wished the Doctor to go and
see him at once. This he declined doing
and said that he must have until tO-mOr-
row morning to reply. They then inquired
| for Col. Waters, and withdrew abruptly,
evidently much excited. Some communl-
cation was had with that gentleman, but
| he was not aware of the name of the
writer. several persons having been con-
| tributing editorials for the Tribune. The
next morning, about nine o'clock, L. A.
Kercheval, ESQ, and DR.. Grisham were in
| the post-office and Col. PrOsser authorized
these gentlemen to furnish the above
named parties with his name, If they SILL
| insisted in their demands. About one
hour afterwards COL Prosser, while IN
law office on Cherry street, was approach
| ed by one of the sons of Ex-Gov. Brown,
and one or two other young men, much
excited, and with their hands evidently
upon pistols, who demanded to know OF
| Col. Prosser if he were the author of an als
| ticle in the Idi6u11e rejecting upon his
| father, Col. Prosser replied in the affirm
ative, when he Immediately began to de-
nOunce him as liar, scOundrel, etc., the
object being evidently to involve him in a
personal rencOiatre and then to aSsasslnate
ni Sn,,o a whilst he was. tooku lace.
Col, Pr. EATING A COLD LUNrty, that he
could ,ticed the train start Office, etc.
Shortlyrom the station. Beg to be APP
preached to ascertain the ca manner, lie
started alontcar and, with on Deaderick
street but was sttkeys. ThiIige Carey, and
while engaged i1the proportion with that
gentleman, another liket-GOv, Browns
sons accompanied byrseveral others, APP
preached and asked Col. Prosser if he were
the author of the article in question. The
latter had scarcely time to reply, when he
received q blow on the head, without the
l
stick prepared forthe purpose, which felled
him to the ground. When consciousness
began to return, Judge Carey was standing
between the parties, preventing the at
lacking party from the use of their pistols,
which they had drawn, and evidently
intended to use. Col. Prosser attempted
to raise, but being unable to stand reeled
towards the cigar store on the corner, and
was assisted to chair in the rear, which
he occupied until able to walk with some
assistance, when he returned to the Post
Office, and was attended by Doctor Weed,
of the garrison, In the meantime the par
ty making the assault, was arrested and
bound over for trial the next morning, but
as Col. Prosser was unable to appear against
them they were released.
Col. P. announces that he assumes all
responsibility for all editorials appearingin
the current number of the Tribune, some
of which were pretty severe, and he adds
further, that he will be found at the post
office any time during business hours, from
all which it don't seem that he scares
worth cent.