Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-07-21
SHOOTING AFFAIR.
Encounter Between John Black Cox and
TObe COvingiOn.

On Friday evening difficulty took place at
Joseph Mary's, on the Kingston road, about
four miles from this city, between John Black
Cox and Tobe Covington, in which the latter
was shot through the neck by Cox, the ball,
which was from small pistol enterirg at the
ear and ranging around to the back of the
neck.
Covington is a supporter of Mr. Gossett in the
race for Sheriff, and tells how the difficulty
originated. He and Cox were personally friend
ly and some time ago. he states that Cox asked
him "who he was going to support for Sheriff.
To this he replied that he was going to vote
for Gossett" Cox then told him he wanted him
to vote for Hudiburg, adding thatit would be to
his advantage if MIR. Hudiburg was elected
Covington then asked how that could be the
case, and said Cox intimated that in the event
of Hudiburg's election, he (Cox) had been prom
ised the position of Deputy Sheriff. COvingtOn
then stated that he would cheerfully vote for
Cox if he was a candidate, or s.ood any chance
of obtaining the Sherifalty himself, but would
not consent to vote for Hudiburg under any cir
cumstances,
There the matter rested until Friday evening.
when they met as above stated. Covington
was in Mary's saloon, sitting down, when Cox
came up crying loudly "Hurrah for Hudiburg!
when Covington responded with "hurrah for
Gossett r' Cox then repeated his cheer for HUI
diburg and Covintgton did likewise for his fa-
vorite, when without a word of warning, Cox
walked up to Covington and slapped him on the
face at the same time drawing his pistol and
| firing on Covington, who was struck at the first
| fire, Cox then fred again but missed his aim
and pulling trigger the third time it snapped
but did not go off.
Cox then left and went on his way, and meet
ing a man about mile from there fired at him,
put fortunately missed his victim. He is also
Salo TO have recklessly fired at man in the
SUBURBS OF knoxville on the same evening as
he Mas leaving town, an account of which ap-
pearea IN a city paper yesterday morning.
fer contra, OoSs friends state that Coving-
! ton lad PROMISED TO vote for Hudiburg on per-
sonal grounds-that Cox had taken him out of
the calaboose several times and in n sn;rit of
| gratitude when last released Covippton had so
promised him, but that afterwards he had boast.
| ed of having wilfully deceived Cox. declar;no o
| that he did not intend to vote for HudiburS
This is said to have reached Cox's ears and that
! individual talked to Covington about his du
| plicitv, telling him that he hadn't deceived him
| at all in the matter, for he (Cox) didn't believe
his promises when made.
The above are the facts as we learn them, and
| we give them as told to US. If either Uf the gen.
tlemen consider themsels not fairly represented
we will be pleased to hear their statement
A messenger was dispatched for DR.. Dead,
erick wno dressed the would yesterday morn
ing before daylight, and last evening Coyington
| was resting pretty we'll. His conditlod is mol
now regarded as dangerous.
| Sheriff Gossett on yesterday repaired TO tne
scene Of disturbance for the purpose OF arrestlne
I Cox, but being told that he had come to town tc
surrender himself, returned to find that be had
been misled.