Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-11-01
The Assault Upon Colonel prosser.

Last week, our Nashville correspondent
favored us with a paragraph telling how
Col. w. +. Prosser, the Postmaster at
Nashville, had been assaulted by a 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 3.
Brown, visited the Tribune office, and CALI
ed the attention of DIR. Grishan1, 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 communi-
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, II. A.
Kercheval Esq, and DIR. Grisham were in
the post-office and Col. Prosser authorized
these gentlemen to furnish the above
named parties with his name, if they still
insisted in their demands. About one
hour afterwards Col. Prosser, while in a
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 ar
ticle in the Tdibune rejecting upon his
father, Col. Prosser replied in the affirm
alive, when he Immediately began to de-
nounce him as liar, scoundrel, etc., the
object being evidently TO involve him in q
personal rencontre and then TO assassinate
him.
Some interference, however, took place,
Col. Prosser informing the party, that he
could be found at the Post Office, etc.
Shortly after, not expecting to be ap-
started alone for an Office on Deaderick
street but was stopped by Judge Carey, and
while engaged in conversation with that
gentleman, another of ex-Gov, Browns
sons accompanied by several 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 blow on the head, without the
slightest warning from a heavy walking
stick prepared forthe purpose, which felled
him to the ground. When consciousness
began TO return, Judge Carey was standing
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 appearingi in
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 q cent.
Advices received from South Carolina
state that ct Spartanburg, on "Wednesday
evening last, Ku Klux den, consisting Of
a chief and twenty members, surrendered
to United States Marshal Johnson, with
their arms and DISCUSSES. Up to Friday
morning seventy arrests had been made in
the vicinity of that town alone. Spartan
burg is known TO be the headquarters fol
that Congressional district. Arrests have
been made in other counties, but the mum
Der is not known here.
Attorney General Alderman is still with
Colonel Merrill. For prudential reasons
very little is said in administration circles
as to the information of which the Depart
ment of Justice is in possession. A num-
Der of well known citizens are missing
including Mr.. Lyle, a member of the Leg
islature, who is reported to be the chief Of
the Khan for that district Among those
who have disappeared are two or three
clergymen, known for their strong rebe
prOclivities.
The officers of the law are proceeding
steadily with their work, and before thu
arrests are all made they will, it is affirm
ed, show the existence of deep and wide
conspiracy against the State, the laws anc
all who sustain them. Most of the H
KluX refugees are known to have fled t.
Georgia, where the order is quite strong
The Grand Cyclops for that State is believ
ed to be son-in-law of Robert Toombs -
Herald, Washington Dispatch