Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-06-14
THE KNOXVILLE MURDER TRIAL.
What ID. III. Nelson Says about the
killing and the Acquitfal.

| We have alseady stated the fact that
ID. NJ. Nelson charged with the mur-
der of Genersl Clanton, Of Alabama.
was acquitted ~ a Knoxville jury last
Friday. Mr. Nelson publishes a long
card in the Knoxville papers of Satur
day, in reference to the Killing. the
circumstances connected with u and
his aequittal by the Knoxville ;ury.
The. following is the concluding psr-
ton of the card
1t was shown by the proof that
Gen. Clanton was under the influence
of liquor at the time, aud that when
drinking, his reputation was that of a
desperate and dangerous man. There
was some conflict in the opinions of
the witnesses as to which of the com
batants fired the first sheis, or as
to which of my shots took effect: but
as it was clearly established. by the
weight Of evidence, that my first shot
was accidental that it missed Gen.
Clanton eight or ten feet, and that as
he was in the act ofiowerisg his pistol
for the second fire my second shottook
effect. 1t may be fairly inferred from
the evidence that was also under the
influence of liquor at the time of the
unfortunate occurrence thatI at first.
refused to make my escape, bot imme-
diately started ON my way to my home
In Cleveland, eight miles distant, de-
claring on my way that, from the stu
alton of my family, / was anxious to
be the first to communicate the mel
a QnahnIr inf 20. L.
so soon as | had done so, | would re-
turn, and that Ibid voluntarily return
and surrender myself to the Sheriff of
Knox County within three DAYS
This, as lbelieye, is true statement
Of the results established upon. nv
trial: but it is my intention, so soon as
the reporter can write out his notes.
to cause full and faithful report of
the entire proceedings to be verified
and published, so that the whole case
may be fully understood.
cannot hope to disabuse the minds
Df all who read the first excited and
reports which were so uni
Versally published and circulated to
10 my prejudice as many Of them will
never see or hear of my vindieation.
But the press, which is swift to pub
ish.articles of a sensational charac-
;er, should not be slow to repair an in
ury committed through mistake, as /
hope, and not through any personal
to me, and / therefore res
,eetfully appeal to all editors who
nave published an account of this ia
al transaction to do me the tardy JUS
ice of publishing, at least, this brief
indication.
1t is, and always will be, a source of
leep regret to me that General Clan
on fep by my hand, and having no de-
ire to do injustice to his memory, It is
roper for me to state that, from what
have learned of his character. / do
Tot believe any difficulty would have
if we had been better ac-
Iuinted and perfectly cool. General
)lanton had the reputation of being a
,allant man, had proven it on many
lard field, and | would not cast upon
lis memory a single imputation. |
lad no malice against him while living,
nd have cherished none since his
leath, but / think it will be clearer
o every one who reads the evidence,
hat if he had not fallen / would have
'een killed the next instant.