Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-04-24
DISTRESSING HOMICIDE.
DinicuI,y Between Railroad Men.
One of Them shot aud Instantly KiIIed.

One of Them Shot and Instantly Killed.
Yesterday morning, just before : o'clock,
there occurred at the East Tennessee, Virginia
and Georgia Railroad shops
BLOODY TRAGEDY.
which caused "A thrill of horror in the commu-
nifty, and especially among the immediate
friends of the parties. The parties in the hor-
rible affair were both in the employ of the Rail-
road Commany and were held in high esteem
by all who knew them. Robert::Tolmie, the
man who met such an.awful death, was Il ma
ohinist, and j. n. Hammet was timer.
THE DIFFICULTY
originated on Tuesday afternoon from very
trivial matter, and from the best information we
could gather, was about as follows
About half past three o clock Tomie came in
from the upper shop and going over to Ham
NETS bench, picked up fl le which he was
going to use in filing piece of solder Ham
met did not wish the tool to be clogged with the
solder and told Tolmie to put it down, and on
that gentleman declining TO do so, repeated the
request more emphatically, telling him in plain
terms that he meant what he said Iolmie still
dsregarding the request, Hammet showed him
away but did not strike him, as we are inform
cd. Upon this
TOLNfIE WANTED TO FIGHT
and asked Hummet to step outside and settle it,
as he did not wish to create any disturbance in
the shop. Hammet replied that he wished to
have no fuss. Tolmie told him he had begun
difficulty already, and threatened to have it out
after working hours. Hammet paid no atten-
ton TO what he said, probably supposng that
his shopmates utterances would be forgotten
when he cooled off. But in this he was mistak-
en-, for after six o'clock when they quit work
and Hammet who lives about four miles out of
town, was on his.way home en- horseback, he was
attacked by Tolmie on Broad street. who threw
several stones at him, but he galloped out of
reach without being hit.
ToLMIEs DEATH.
Yesterday morning early, while on his way
to the shop, Hammet was again attacked by
Tolmie with stones, one of which struck the
horse he was riding in the eye, destroying the
sight, rs we are informed.
4 few moments before the whistle blew Toll
ME was in the shop and Hammet entered with
a stick in his hand, though making no demon
STATIONS of a hostile nature, whatever.
When seeing him, Tolmie picked up an iron
lack lever and started toward him, and on his
approach Hammet, realizing his danger, struck
at Tolmie but missed him. Tolmic then struck
at Hammet and knocked the stick out of his
hand and then struck him
HEAVY BLOW
on the back of the head, telling him to the
floor. Rising with difficulty Hammet walked
across the floor to his bench and opening q cup
board took from it pistol and turning around
advanced toward Tolmie who was coming to
meet him, and when about eight or ten feet apart
fred, the ball striking in the center of the fore
head and coming out near the edge of the hair
the points of entrance and exit of the ball not
DelDg an lncn apart. IOlnlc lell anu
DIED IN FEW MOMENTS.
He never spoke after receiving the fatal shot
As soon after the deed was committed as pcssi-
BILE, information was conveyed to police head
quarters, and Officer Cole repaired to the shop,
but seeing the condition of Mr.. Hammett,
forbore taking him in custody, and he was
shortly afterward removed to the residence of
his brother-in-low, Mr.. John GREE.
AJURY OF INQUEST,
composed of the following gentlemen was APP
pointed: VIM: Flynn, foreman, John L. Hudi-
burg, John Waters, j. I. Ambrose, j. G.
Parker, w. T. Osborn, and NJ. NJ. Harris.
The jury then proceeded to take all the evil
dence possible, bearing on the case, which was
actedas clerk. After taking the testimony Of {
number of witnesses, the coroner, /. p. Alley
Esq, adjourned the jury until o'clock il
the afternoon, when other witnesses were sworn
among others that of the father-in-law of MIR
Tolmie being given, but few additional fact
were elected.
After giving the entire matter rigid invest
CATION the following verdict was rendered;
STATE OF TESNEssEE-KNoX COUNTY.
An inauistion holden in Knoxville, the coun
ty of Knox and State aforesaid, on the 18th day
Of April 1872, before /. p. Alley, Coroner o
said county, upon the body of Robert Tolmi'
there lying dead, by the jurors whose names ar
hereto subscribed, who upon their oaths do say
that the deceased came ID his death on the l1tl
day of April, 1872, by pistol shot fired b.
John Hanmet, which shot took effect in tn
WIN. FLYNN,
JoHN l.. HUDIBURG,
w. T. OSBORN,
NJ. NJ. HARRIS,
j. ). WATERS,
J. G. PARKER,
j. II. AMBROSE.
4 short time after he was shot, Mr.. Tolmie
remains were taken to his residence Broa
street. North Knoxville, and will probably b
inferred this afternoon lie leaves a wife an
one child.
HAMMRT's CONDITION..
Drs. NJ L. Rogers and French were in a
tendance on Mr.. Hammet, who was doing we
last evening. He was little fcverish, but thi
was kept down by the application Of ice TO tn
wound. The wound was so badly swollen thi
the doctors Ind not made examination dul
ing yesterday, but will doubtless do 50 to-day
Hammet is in comfortable circumstances an
owns a farm in the country. He has wife an
several children. While his injuries are sever
yet the blow is not necessarily fatal. We al
told that both men belonged to the Masoni
fraternity.
First Knock Down for Memphis.
Our contemporary blows Justify ft
Brown. 1t wants no postponement of III
State Convention. The Memphis .4Uc
ldnche hits it squarein the eyes in explain