Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-04-18
DISTRESSING HOMICIDE.
difficulty Between Railroad Men.

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 thrill of horror in the commu-
nity, 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 a ma
chinist, 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 Tolmie came in
from the upper shop and going over to Ham
NETS bench, picked up a file which he was
going to use in filing a 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. Tolmie still
diSregarding the request, Hammet shoyeo him
away but did not strike him, as we are inform
ed. Upon this
ToLMlE WANTED TO FIGHT
and asked Hammet 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 supposing that
his shOpmate's 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 hisway home en- horseback he was
attacked by Tolme on Broad street, who threw
several stones at him, but he galloped out of
reach without being hit.
TOLMIE's 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, as we are informed.
A few moments before the whistle blew, Toll
mie was in the shop and Hammet entered with
a stick in his hand though making no demon
stratons of aIhostile nature whatever,
When seeing him, Tolmie picked up an iron
jack lever and started toward him, and on his
approach Hammet, realizing his danger, struck
at Tolmie, but missed him. Tomie then struck
at Hamrnet 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 a cup
q
advanced toward Tolmie, who was coming to
meet him. and when about eight or ten feet apart,
fired, 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
being an inch apart. Tolmie fell and
DIED IN A FEW MOMENTS.
He never spoke after receiving the fatal shot. |
As soon after the deed was committed as pCssi- |
bic, 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 Crze.
JURY OF INQUEST,
composed of the following gentlemen was ap- |
pointed: VIM. Flynn, foreman, John L. Hudi- |
burg, John Waters, j. T., Ambrose, j. G. |
Parker, w. T. Osborn, and NJ. NJ. Harris.
The jury then proceeded to take all the evil |
lence possible bearing on the case, which was |
recorded in full by Major w. r. McBath, who |
actedas clerk. After taking the testimony of |
Esq.,, adjourned the jury until o'clock in |
he afternoon, when other witnesses were sworn,
among others that of the father-in-law of Mr..
rolmie being given, but few additional facts
we're elected.
After giving the entire matter rigid invest.
CATION, the following verdict was rendered:
STATE OF TENNEssEE-KNox COUNTY.
An inquistion holden in Knoxville the coun-
" of Knox and State aforesaid, on the 18th day
If April, 1872 before I. p. Alley, Coroner of
aid county, upon the body of Robert Tolmie
here lying dead, by the jurors whose names are
lereto subscribed, who upon their oaths do say,
hat the deceased came to his death on the 18th
lay of April, 1872, by a pistol shot fired by
John Hammet, which shot took effect in the
orehead of the deceased
VIM. FLYNN,
JOHN L. HUDIBURG,
w. T. OSBORN,
NJ NJ. HARRIS,
J. S. WATERS,
j. G. PARKER,
j. 7. AMBROSE.
A short time after he was shot, Mr.. Tolmie's
remains were taken to his residence on Broad |
street, North Knoxville, and will probably be
nterred TINS afternoon. He leaves wife and
sne child TT'I E||r#
HAMMETS CONDITION.
Drs. NJ. Il. Rogers and French were in at:
enhance on Mr.. Hammet, who was doing well
ast evening He was little feverish, but that
vas kept down by the application of ice to the
%ouno, Inc wound was so badly swollen that
me doctors had not made an examination dur
ng yesterday, but will doubtless do so to-day.
dammet Is IN comfortable circumstances and
owns farm IN the country He has wife and
several children. While his injuries are severe,
yet the blow Is not necessarily fatal We are
old that both men belonged to the Masonic
r Advertisements
re generally read at this season of the wear.