Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-31
A DUEL ON THE STREET.
One OF the Most Desperate Eneoun-
tiers Oa EecOrd-BOsh Parties Badly
Wounded.
jackson Wing and Tribune, May 80.


Wounded.
jackson Wing and Tribune, May 50.
On Tuesday evening last at 5o'eloek
A. ]. Sellers and J. n. Patterson met
by prior arrangement IN the streets of
Cotton Grove, a village eight miles
east of this city, the former armed with
a dOuble-harreled shot gun and two
single barreled pistols and the latter
with a navy SIX, and fought one of the
most desperate duels on record. After
several shots Sellers fell, bleeding from
three painful wounds, one in the right
shoulder, another IN the right temple
and the third in the upper hip, and
Patterson retired with ball in his left
side The following are the facts OF
this bloody eeounter, as furnished Us
by reliable gentleman: Patterson
was living with and working for
one OF the Sellers. On Satur-
day last be purchased a new suit OF
clothes, and on Sunday morning A. J.
Sellers wanted to try them on This
Patterson objected to; but still Sellers
insisted that he would, and straightway
went az 1t. Patterson then snatched
the clothing from Sellers and remarked
that no gentleman would act in that
way. This Sellers promptly resented
by inviting Patterson out to fight him.
Patterson declined the invitation, al
leging that Sellers was too large for
him, and that he, Patterson, had q
crippled hand. Sellers then proposed
TO fight it out IN some other way. This
Patterson agreed to, remarking that he
would be ready next day. Next
morning, Monday, Sellers seeing Pat
tersOn ON the street, armed himself and
approaching him asked: "Are you
ready?" Patterson rephed-"Not yet;
but VIII be tomorrow evening at FIVE
o'clock" Sellers remarked-"An right,
l will meet you here at that time
and went back to his hone. Patterson
came to Jackson on Monday, pur-
chased a navy SIX, had it carefully load
ed, and returned to Cotton Grove with
out saying anything to anybody about
his intentions. The people cf Cotton
Grove looked upon the whole thing as
a piece of braggadoc.o that would end
IN wind. But promptly to the hour on
Tuesday evening Patterson and Sellers
were observed approaching each other
from opposite directions armed as
above stated. When within about 80
yards of each other both came to a halt,
Sellers levelling his gun and ordering
Patterson to throw down his pistol.
Patterson refused to obey, saying that
Sellers had him at a disadvantage, but
fired on Sellers instantly with effect
c. 4 -. 81, krrk
both barrels Of his gun snapped. Pat
tersOn fired again. Sellers steadily ad.
vancing, having thrown down his gun
and resOrted to his pistols, fired once,
the shot taking effect in Patterson's
right side. Patterson again opened
rapidly, striking Sellers twice, making
three in all About this time
Sellers fell from loss Of
blood, and Patterson conclud-
ing he had killed his man, turned and
walked off, nor has his place of retreat
yet been discovered. Drs. /. n. & W.
F. Jones were promptly called to the
side Of the wounded Sellers A care
full examination showed that one ball
entered the back part of the right arm
Just below the shoulder, and passed in
TO his body; another entered his right
temple and came out behind his right
ear, and the other passed through his
upper lip, lodging against his gums
The ball IN his body could not befound,
and he is thought to be IN a critical
condition.
Sellers has been a citizen Of this
county. for several years, is 80 or 81
- z r L L. L Il
Us pounds, and is a man of family.
Patterson is a new conner, has no fami-
ly, is q or Is years Of age, feet high
and weighs about $50 pounds. The
facts related prove both TO be desperate
and possessed of courage
enough for a half dozen men. Their
encounter is one of the coolest and
most desperate in the annals Of the
famous for such ARRAYS