Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-04

Gle most distressing tragedy, and one which
has thrown our community into intense excite
ment and been the subject OF painfully earnest,
and we might say, universal lament The affair
is doubly lamentable, because the deceased was
at the time of the killing visitor in our city, as
the agent in high capacity, of the State OF Al
ALBANIA. Our people feel keenly the effect the
unfortunate affair must have upon the commu-
nifty, and share the general sorrow that must ex-
ist over the killing Of such prominent man.
THE MEETING.
The facts as gathered at the Coroner's inquest
shall be briefly told Gen J. II. Clanton of
Montgomery, Alabama, was killed Yesterday
near Gay by Col. D. NJ. Nelson, of Cleveland,
Tennessee.
About the time mentioned General Clanton,
while conversing with A. s. Prosser, Esq, near
Bells stables, was introduced to Col. Nelson by
Tomlison Fort, Esq, and upon the invitation of
Col. Nelson the party proceeded toward the st.
Nicholas saloon to drink.
THE DIFFICULTY.
Immediately after being INTRODUCED, Messrs.
Nelson and Clanton began conversation and
continued it while walking towards the saloon.
Nelson remarked to Clanton that he could take
him to visit certain place in the city, if he,
Clanton, was not afraid to go. Clanton seemed
to misunderstood Nelson, as he asked him sew
eral times what he meant by his being afraid.
Nelson said he did not know. According to
the testimony of Col Fort Clanton then
remarked that if Nelson thought he was afraid,
ne might PICK MS ground anu lney WOulQ
settle it then and there, Clanton then stepped
into the middle of Cumberland street, looking
towards the St. Nicholas saloon, which by this
time he had passed. Clanton called on Fort
doing, at the same time telling Clanton that
Nelson was drunk and he ought not to mind
him. During these efforts of Fort, Nelson ran
into the saloon and was gone minute So
where, no one positively knows When next
seen he was coming out of the saloon
with double barreled shot gun in his
hand ready to be raised to an aiming position
READY TO SHOOT.
On seeing this Fort left Clanton in the middle
of the street, out of the way of the terrible
weapon. Just here we take up the statement of
q very prominent citizen who witnessed the
killing from his window in the Lamar House.
He says as Nelson came out of the saloon he
saw Clanton in the street stamping down his
foot and saying "he told me to take my posi-
ton, and am here" Then attracted by the
noise of the saloon door he looked over there
and saw Nelson aiming his gun against the avn
ing post. Nelson fired the first shot. Clanton
saw him coming out and drew his pistol and
fred Immediately after Nelson Nelson still
resting his gun against the awning deliberately
fred a second shot, which took effect about
the right shoulder, which he had turned to-
wards Nelson preparing to return the first fire
HIS DEATH
Clanton dropped down slowly, and as he fell
over remarked to a colored boy, the first to get
10 him, take my hat and pistol have done
all can" He lived but few minutes, as will
readily be understood when it was found by the
surgeons that there were twenty wounds some
fifteen to eighteen shot or slugs entering his
chest. Nelson ran back into the saloon with
the gun and in the excitement made his escape
going from the back of the saloon through a
where.
Gen. Clanton was taken into the Lamar House
dead.
THE EVIDENCE.
hafo 10 G
ed that when Nelson came out with the gun,
Clanton had not drawn his weapon, but was evil
IDENTIFY waiting for Nelson to take his place and
give him some chance before shooting,
This evidence bears upon itself sufficient
comments. There is nothing we could say half
as severe as the plain facts sworn to by the wit
nesses. Nelson had been drinking freely dur
ing the day, and was very much under the in
fuence.of liquor at the time OF the ARRAY.
ENTIRELY PERSONAL.
As we said at the beginning, this unfortunate
affair occurring here between two persons not
residents of our city is lamented by all our citi-
zens. 1t can safely be said of this case that
it was not, in any respect, political prejudi-
ces that brought about. the sad tragedy. Col,
Nelson has been for some years prominently
identified with the same political party as Gen.
Clanton, and there was, therefore no such pro-
vocation.
Gen. Clanton had made many warm friend:
here by his genial manners, and for the shor
time he had been in our midst was very popu
His remains were taken to his home in Ala
bama by Gen. Gindrat, Judge Rice and othe
friends on the train at ll:45 last night
GEN. CLANTOE's ANTECEDESTs.
Gen James H. Clanton was born in Georgia
in the year 1927, and was in the 45th year of hi
age. He served a term in the Legislature o.
Alabama and was a Wing elector in 1860.
When Alabama seeded from the Union he
was among the first TO volunteer, and com
handed a troop of Confederate cavalry at the
battle of Shiloh, and by conspicuous gallantry
attracted the favorable notice Of his superior
officers. Shortly afterwards he was promoted
20 the rank of colonel and finally to that Of gen
eral of brigade, and was constantly in active
service. In the spring Of 1865, while resisting
the advance Of Gen. Steeles column, between
Pensacola, Florida, and Pallard Alabama ht
was badly wounded and taken prisoner.
He was one Of the most popular men in bis
state, and had long held the position Of chair.
man of the Democratic State Executive Com
mittee. He was the legal representative Of the
State Of Alabama in the settlement of the Chat
tanooga Railroad.
lie married a most estimable lady. and leayei
2 family Of several children, who since the wal
were dependent upen his individual exertion,
for their support, and who will feel their los
most pognanty.
THE PURSUIT UNAYAILING.
We understand that two Of Nelson's brother
went in pursuit 70 induce him return Sher
III Gossett was also in pursuit
Sheriff Gossett who pursued Col David Mel
son last night, returned about II clock r. NJ
having followed him as far as Campbelps Sta.
ton, hearing Of him at several places on the
road, but was unableto Overtake him. He proba.
DIV changed horses on the road and rnado gooJ