The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-10-07
Death of Gen. CiantOn.
Particulars Of the OccMrreMre-..killed by
Il Drunken Man.--Thc Murderer Fled.


KNoNVILLE, Sept. %. Gen.
ClantOn was here in attendance
upon the United States Court, to
guard the interests Of Alabama
in the Alabama and Chattanooga
Railroad case.
About six O'Clock this evening,
in company with Il Knoxville
friend, he met ID. Nj. Nelson, of
Cleveland, and Tom Fort, of Chat
tanooga. Clanton and Nelson,
who had never met before, were
introduced by Fort. Nelson had
been drinking, and after two or
three minutes conversation, he
made a remark questioning Clam
toms courage. Clanton said, ssDo
I look as if | was afraid?" Nelson
said, 81 do not know whether you
do or not"
More words passed, when the
other gentlemen, apprehending a
difficulty, attempted to pacify
them. Finally, Clanton said,
s'Name your friend time and place
and try me-" Nelson said, "Now
will do rs we'll as any other time;
step out into the street, In the
meanwhile about Il dozen men
had gathered. Clanton stepped
out into the street, and Nelson
ran into Il store, got Il double
barrel shot gun, and came out
under an awning, where he
thought Clanton could not see
him. immediately the crowd
scattered.
Nelson then rested his gun on
the side of Il door frame and fired,
missing Clanton. CIanton drew
a pistol and fired ut random. Mel
son then fred 4 second shot which
struck Clanton in front and in
the upper part of the arm, break
ing it. -Four buckShot entered
Clanton's right breast, whereupon
he sank down and died instantly.
After the fatal shot had been
fired the body of Gen. Clanton
was taken into the back office of
the confectionery store under the
Lamar House, where every effort
was made by competent surgeons
to restore life, but i'll vain. AS
soon rs life was aScertained to be
extinct, the body was removed
to the reading room Of the Lamar
House, and J. p. Ally, acting cor
oner, summoned Il jury.
Tomlinson Fort, being sworn,
stated that ten or fifteen minutes
before six O'Clock +. NJ. he was
standing ut the corner of Gay and
Cumberland streets; he had Just
met Col. d. NJ. Nelson and was
walking arm in arm with him be-
ing an old friend, when he saw
Gen. CIanton with Il darlS-whis
kered gcntlcman, Col. a. s. Pros
ser, Oh the other side of the
street; they crossed over to meet
them, and he introduced Clanton
to Nelson, with the remark that
Nelson fought 'sU. s. Fort was
in the Confederate army, and
Clanton also, but had been very
! liberal and honorable towards his
late enemies. Nelson or Clanton
proposed to go and take Il drink.
Col. Fort thinks Col. Nelson made
the proposition.
AS they walked along the talk
turned in some way on amuse-
ments, and Col. Nelson remarked
that he could show Clanton
something good, if he was not
afraid. Gen. Clanton said, "Do
you think Pm afraid p Colonel
Nelson said, 81 don't know wheth-
cr you are or not The same
remarks were repeated several
times, Colonel Nelson apparent
ly becoming excited, while Gen.
| Glantnn yync cool Col Fort mt
his hand on Nelson's shoulder
who was under the influence of
liquor, and said: "Kcep cool,
Dave, you are in the wrong;
there is no use in ighting.' At
length, rs Nelson repeated, 81
don't know whether you are
afraid or not" Gen. Clantou said,
"Well, if you think I'm afraid,
just try me. Name your friend,
time, place and distance" Nell
son said, "this is as good Il time
and place rs any" Gen. Clam
ton then said: 'Fort step off
the ground for your friend"
Col. Fort refused to do so, as
both were friends, aud there was
no cause for quarrel.
While he was talking with
Clanton, Nelson had gone into
Filters saloon, and us he was
urging Cianton to go off as Mel
son was drunk, Fort heard the
door of the st. Nicholas open.
He looked and saw Col. Nelson
with Il doublc-barrcled gun com
ing out. He thought that Mel
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