The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-10-05
The late GenT CTanton or

Il
One OF the sadest events of the times il
the ASSASSINATION Of Gen. Clanton OF
Alabama, by drunken man, without
| cause, at Knoxville Tennessee, whether he
had gone as Attorney for his State in
the case of the Chattanooga & Ala, r. K.
An the business houses of Montgomery
were closed and draped in mourning on
RECEIPT of the intelligence, in token of
respect for the deceased. The following
particulars of the affair are copied from
report telegraphed to the Advertiser:
After the Jury were sworn, Tomlinson
Fort Esq, being sworn, stated TO the Jury
lhat III or 10 minutes before O'Clock, p. II.
ne was standing at the corner of Gay Cum
Derland streets, having just come out of
EIners Saloon He had just met Col. d. NJ.
Nelson, and was walking arm in arm with
hlm, being an old friend, when he saw
Gen,i Clanton with dark whiskered gen.
ueman Col A. S. Prosser, on the other side
OF the street they crossed over and met
them and be introduced Gen'l ClantOn TO
Nelson with the remark, that Nelson fought
"us." Fort was in the Confederate arTny
and Clanton also, but had been very liberal
and honorable towards his late enemies.
Nelson or Clanton proposed to go and take
drink. Col. Fort thinks Col Nelson made
the proposition. As they walked along the
talk turned in some way on amusements,
and Col. Nelson remarked that he could
show ClantOn something good if he was not
afraid, Genl Clanton said DO you think
Tam afraid" Col. Nelson said. Il don't
know whether you are not" The same
remarks were repeated several times, Col.
Nelson apparently becoming excited while
Gen'l Clanton was cool. Col. Fort put his
hand on Nelson's shoulder who was under
the influence of liquor and said keep cool
Dave; you are in the wrong; there is no use
ia hghting At length as Nelson repeated
Il don't know whether You are afraid or
not" Gent Clanton said swell III you think
I'm afraid just try me; name yonr friend
time, place and distance" Nelson said this
is as good a time and place as any" Gent
Clanton then said Fort step off the ground
for your friend" Col. Fort refused TO do
so as both were friends and there was no
cause for quarrel. While he was talking
with Gen1 Clanton, Col. Nelson had gone
into Eif1ers saloon, and as he was urging
CfantOn to go off as Nelson was drunk
Fort heard the door of the St. Nicholas
open. He looked and saw Col Nelson with
a double barrelled gun coming out. He
thought that Nelson fired the first shot aud
as he fired, Clanton levelled bis pistol
cooked it and fired. Nelson at once fired
again, and after the shot Gen. Clanton fell
forward, doubling himself up on his hands
and face.
The father OF Colonel. Nelson, Hon. T. A
r. Nelson, one OF the Judges of the Supreme
Court of this State, sent out two CT 9th er
sons in company with the Sheriff to bring
him back if they could find him. Nearly
every one in East Tennessee knows Colonel.
Nelson, but for the information of those at
a distance it is proper that we should state
that he is the second son of Hon. I. A. Il.
Nelson, one of the Judges of the Supreme
Court of this State. Jurist and Statesman
of national reputation. He was Captain
in an East Tennessee regiment in the
Federal army during the war and was on
General Gillem's staff. Towards the close
of the war he was breYetted Lieut.. Colo
mel. ~