Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-10-05
J. III. clanton.

The killing of Gen. j. H. GIanton.
The Montgomery Adyertiser comes to
US clad in mourning for the untimely
death of Gen. J. II. Clanton. 1t gives
The following particulars of the sad oc-
cmrence in kilograms from Knoxville,
Tenn:
Tomlinson Fort, in his evidence before
the coroner's Jury, stated that on the eve
ming of the 9th, soon after six o'clock,
he had just met Colonel D. NJ. Nelson,
and was walking arm in arm with him,
being an old friend when he saw General
Clanton with dark-whiskered gentleman,
Col. A. S. Prosser, on the other side Of the
street. They crossed over and met them.
and he introduced General Clanton to
Nelson, with the remark that Nelson
fought Gus" Fort was in theI Confede-
rate army, and Clanton also, but had been
very liberal and honorable towards his en-
emies. Nelson or Clanton proposed to go
and take a, drink. Colonel Fort thinks
Colonel Nelson made the proposition. AS
they walked along the talk turned in some
way on amusements, and Col. Nelson re-
marked thatshetcould show Clanton some
thing good if he was not afraid Gen.
Clanton said, "Do you think Pm afraid?"
Colonel Nelson said, Il don't know wheth-
er You are or not" The same remarks
were repeated several times, Colonel Mel
son apparently becoming excited, while
General Clanton was cool. Colonel Fort
put his hand on Colonel Nelson's shoulder,
who was under the influence of liquor, and
said "Keep cool Dave; you are in the
wrong; there is no use in fighting" Al
though, as Nelson repeated, ." l don't know
whether you are afraid or not" General
Clanton said well if you think Pm afraid
Just try me; name your friend. time place
and distance Nelson said, "This is as
good time and place as any," General
Clanton then said, Fort step off the
ground for your friend" Colonel Fort
refused to do so as both were friends, and
there was no cause for a quarrel. While
he was talking with General Clanton,
Colonel Nelson had gone into Eifer's sa-
loon, and as he was urging Clanton to 60
off as Nelson was drunk, Fort heard the
door of the st. Nicholas open. He looked
and saw Colonel Nelson with double
barreled gun coming out He thought
that Nelson fred the first snot, and as he
fired, Clanton levelled his pistol, cooked it
and fired. Nelson at once fred again,
and otter the shot, General Clanton fell
forward, doubling himself up on his hands
and face. He did not know what became
of Nelson after the fatal shot was fired.
Colonel Fort stated that during all the
conversation General Clanton held his
hands on his coat collar, while Nelson kept
his hands in. his pocketsl
Drs. w. F. Green, from Greenville, and
]. B. Tadlock, stated to the jury on oath,
after making an examination Of the body,
that fifteen or eighteen shot, or small oalls,
had entered the chestnea the right shoul-
der Joint and .severing several arteries and
veins which were essential to life. They
thought q portion of the shot had enter
ed thelungs Two shots or slugs were
taken out Of the back side of the shoul-
der by them.
Col. Nelson Immediately after the fatal
shot procured horse and fed across the
country. The last heard of him was at
IL o'clock last night when he was report
ed to have passed the toll-gate OIL the
Kingston pike three miles ahead OF Sheriff
Gossett. The father of Col. Nelson, Hon.
r. a. Rl,alson, one of the Judges of the
Supreme Court of this State, sent out two
of his other sons in company with the
Sheriff bring him back if they could
find him. II
MONTGOMERY, September 29.-Tl,ere
was thegrandest demonstration everknown
in Alabama paid to Clanton. His body
in state.at the Capitol was visited by over
10000 persons. The NJ. E. Church, where
the funeral sermon was preached, was fill
ed, and the square around packed with
people The procession to the cemetery
was over two miles long. 1t is estimated
that the Grape on the stores, public build
ings and private residences would make a
line ten miles long. The grief is great,
and men and women freely shed tears.
The colored population yield to none IN
t'leir demonstration of respect to the great
Democratic leader Of Alabama. Large
contributions have already been made to
raise funds to invest for his family. Eve
~ business house was closed. :. & =