The Hickman courier., 1872-03-16
THE TRAGEDY AZ PARIS,
TENNESSEE
Full Details OF the DepIOrabIe
Affair.

At Paris, Tenn, on last Monday eve
ming, the 4th inst, a dreadful and most
lamentable tragedy took place, resulting
in the death of that well known and
highly respected citizen, and eminent
lawyer, Col. W. ID. Lannom, at the hands
of Vac. Cook, boy of only twenty
years of age, and hitherto of unexcep-
tionable character
1t appears that young Cooks mother
was indebted to Lannom in the sum Of
one hundred dollars. and Lauuom TO Mrs.
Cook IN the sum OF three dollars Cook
and Lannom were making a settlement
in the latter's Office, and Lannom was
about giving to one John Anderson a
check on ms. Cook for the amount due
him, when he remarked to young Cook
that his mother had been owing him
this money fS -. months, but that he
would charge her no interest but call the
matter square, if he, Cook, would drop
the three dollars due his mother. This
took said Stsat he-a Juid not du; where.
upon Lannom said that he would then
count the interest on the debt. Cook
said he could not make his mother pay
1t; to which Lannom replied that he
could do SO, and would Cook then told
him that if he wanted to sue his mother
to do so and be ID. Lanuom re
piled to Cook that he would not settle
with him at all, that he had no sense
and Cook then left the Office In little
while he returned, meeting Lannom on
the street, he having just stepped out of
his office. Launom said to him, ~ ac,
your mother and | have always been fast
friends, and like you, and let US have
DO difficulty about the matter, but settle
it as gentlemen should"
Both parties then went into Lannom 5
Office, and the check already alluded to
was about being prepared, when Cook
said, Il have been grossly insulted in
this Office this evening" LanDom asked
who had insuted him. Cook said You
have" Lannom replied You are God
ID liar" Cook stepped back and
placed his hand beneath bis cloak, as if
to draw a weapon. Squire Tharp, who
was present, got between the parties.
Lannom told him to get out of the way,
that he was not afraid of Cooks pistols,
and commanded Cook to 90 out Of the
room, which he did. Directly, however,
be came back to the Office, but Lannom
was not there He then went into sa
loon near by, and there found him, and
said "Lannom, | want 10 settle that diff
Guilty between US" Launom took his
arm, and they went together back to the
Office
There they again disputed for mo-
ment, when Cook stepped out of the
room and said, by Cd, if that is the
way you want to settle, come out here
and we II shoot it out Lannom started
out, but Squire Tharp pulled him back
and shut the door He however go
loose from Tharp, opened the door anc
stepping out said. Let yourselfi IN, Cook
/ III ready" Cook fired, and the bal
pierced Launom' hat; again he free
aud again the shot went through Ian
nom's hat. Meanwhile Lannom hd,
drawn a derringer, presented it at Cool
and seemed to be attempting to fire it
but without success. Cook now fred
third shot, and this time the ball strucI
Lannom IN the right side, below tho
collar bone, passed through both hi
lungs and lodged in or near the lef
shoulder. LannOm gave a convulsiv'
movement of the body, coughed, raised
his left hand to support his right, which
held his pistol made another ineffectua
attempt to explode the weapon, and ther
turned and walked slowly away, Cool
firing two more shots after him, both o
which went through his clothing Some
by-standers ran to the wounded man, t
whom he remarked that he was killed
and who supported him into an adjacen
hotel, where he Immediately expired.
At this junction the Town Marsha
came upon the scene and laid hold o
Cook, who was making off Cook placed
a second pistol to his head. being armed
with two navies, and said Release me Oh
Ill kill you" y struggle ensued, Cool
got away, and then turning, cried. 81
have killed Lannom, aud | do not NEAR
to be arrested The Marshal free
twice upon him, and he returned botl
shots, but none of the shooting on either
side took any effect, and Cook finally
escaped The last seen of him, he was
about miles east of Paris, withOu
coat or hat, his boots in one hand, anC
his pistol in the other, fleeing for his life
This sad occurrence has cast gloon
over the entire community in which i
took place, and all the more appallin:
and deplorable does it appear when it i
known that strong drink was its chic
cause, both the parties being at the tim
under its influence.