Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-07-04
THE PISTOL.
A Frscas at the Chattanooga Depot.
I'm Which a Hammer and q Pistol
Figure Prominently.

A Frscas at the Chattanooga DepOt.
I'm Which q Hammer and q Pistol
Figure Prominently.
A iracss occurred at the Chattanooga
Depot about o'clock las5 night, between
Micheal Conner and James Perlk rs, in
which the latter was severely wounded on
the head by blow from heavy hammer
in the hands of the former.
1t seems that Conner greases car wheels
at the depot, and Perkins, who il only
twenty years ole al slight built, is fire.
man on switch engine No. ). Com is
forty.three years old, and weighs not far
from two hundred pounds. For some time
past there has been ill-will between Conner
and young Perkins fathe-, the latter being
night clerk in the railroad office. A num-
Der Of the employees about the depot have
been in the habit of playing jokes On
Ctmer, until he became cross and surly.
At the time mentioned, last night, sever
al persons we're standing about No. En-
CINE, when Conner came up and wanted to
know who it was that had been meddling
with his grease-pan. A somewhat exasper-
ating reply was made by some one, and
then Conner and Perkins became engaged
in war Of words, Conner attempting at the
same time to get upon the engine, holding
q heavy hammer in one hand, aud a cold
chisel in the other. Perkins ordered him
to keep off the engine, and then Conner
dared him to get down on the ground.
The young man jumped down,
with the remark that he would CONS
down If he was killed the next minute,
when Conner Immediately stuck him a ter
rible blow on the left side of the head.
Nearly blinded with blood, and almost
senseless, Perkins staggered few feet, with
Conner following him up and enIeavoring
to strike him again, when the crowd shout
ed to the young man to "run for his life."
He obeyed the Injunction, running towards
the tunnel, with Conner in hot pursuit,
striking ut him with the hammer as be ran.
Finding thst Perkins was gaining on him,
Conner threw the hammer at him, strik-
ing him fair and square on the
shoulder, almost knocking him down. The
pursuit was then given up and Perkins
started to DIR. Curry's Office 20 get bis
wounds dressed, accompanied by several
friends. Just as they reached the Office,
one of the party informed Perkins that
Conner had applied very offensive epithet
to him just as he st: uck him the first time,
whereupon Perkins secured a pistol and at
once returned to the depot, where he found
his late assailant endesvoring to hide.
he asked Conner why he had tried
to kill him, and as the latter stopped
to pick up q brick, fired at him, but
missed him. Conner then threw a brick,
or piece of iron a. Perkin striking him on
the leg, when the latter snapped the pistol
twice, succeeded in firing it only on the
third effort. Conner fell, or staggered, aad
Perkins went home, had his wounds dress
ed, and then gave himself up. Officers
were sent down to arrest Conner, and upon
his being Irought to the station, he was
released upon bis own recognizance, Mr..
Perkins going security for his son, who
was also released.
Young Perkins is high spirited, quick
witted young man, evidently full of life and
fun, and brave to rsshness. He bas
been employed at the depot for
eight months past, and those who know
him speak in the highest terms of him,
and say that this is the first distur bance of
a serio ds Ia ture be has ever teen engaged
in. II father is an old employee of the
road, and is universally respected by those
who have dealings with him. He has oc-
cupied bis present position for the past four
wars