Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-01-30
ALMOST A TRAGEDY.
Serious Rencounter between aKr. M. Y.
smeIser, Of the Avalanche, and Mr..
CT. Robinson, OF the Register
Five shots without feet.

About half-plst eleven o'clock last
night, on Adams street, near Main, AN unfo :
tunate difficulty, which came near ending III
tragedy, took plase between Mr.. u. +. Snel-
ser, local editor of the AUGldncAe, and Mr.. &.
T. Robinson, who, until day or two ago, was
river and commercial editor OF the Register,
with which paper he Is still connected. The
dlfnculty, we understand, was caused by the
publication Of the following article in yester-
day mornings AUo1dnche, headed
"HE Is THE SAME
"The Charles T. Robinson who so vigorously
made charges against President Langstaff, OF
the Howard association in Tuesday 5 A PPEAL,
and who so cheerfully reti acted the same in
yesterdays issue of that paper, Is the same
the robbery of p. Walsh, the Overton hotel
tailor, after the latter had died from an attack
of the yellow-fever. He is the same man
who was discharged from the How
ards for drunkenness, and is the same man
who was accused of stealing champag
from the association, and also the same whom
William Thomas, the colored man, alluded to
when he said in his testimony in the Reynaud
case: Mr.. Robinson told me that mustn't say
anything about the champagne which he had
drank He is also the same man who, from
his goodness of heart, RETAINED from chastis-
ing a reporter of this paper for reporting he
above. IN fact, now aud always, lie is the
same"
MR.. SMELSER'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. Smelser states that while in the bus
tness-department of the AUGLGTlche, on Jeffer-
son street, Mr.. Robinson came there and said
pavement, and Robinson wanted him to re-
tract the article alluded to. He refused to do
this, but told Robinson to publish
card denying 1t, as he would not retract
what he had published. He ERobinsonl would
not consent to do this, and he concluded the
matter was dropped. He told Robinson that
and was going to the Administered station
house to see il there were any items there.
they had proceeded as far as the
Clay building, when Robinson again
asked him TO retract what he published in
that mornings AUdLdRehe. He refused to do
II, and told him that it was no use to talk
about it, but to write his card. They then
proceeded, and while walking down Adams
and the stationhOuse, Robinson struck
him over the right eye, the
blow causing causing. him m, to staqgger; It
what he was struck with. Robinson then
commenced firing, and discharged five shots
at hum, one bail striking Smelser in the right
breast, and after penetrating the lapeIle of his
overcOat, smashed a button, which prevented
Il entering. He Immediately rushed toward
Jefferson. At the alley by Bryson & Camps
store, two policemen stopped them, and they
went to the statiorhouse.
MR.. RoBINsON's STATEMENT.
Mr.. Robinson said he had been anxious to
see Mr.. Smelser all day, in regard to the arti-
Gle rejecting upon his character, but was un-
able to find him. He saw Mr.. Brewer, the ed
ttor, who said Mr.. Smelser wrote the article
complained OF, and to see him about it. II he
was not responsible, he [Browerl was. He did
not see Smelser until a few minutes before the
difficulty occurred. They were walking to-
gether on Adams street; he asked Smell
ser to retract the publication. Smelser
said he would not do IL, as he could prove
that the statement made in the article was
true. He told Smelser that he did not intend
for such charges to go before the public
as they were unjust, and he asked him
to retTact them. SmeIser said, {" What
do you take me for?" whereupon he
LR )binsOnl struck him over the eye with
mis- pistol, theE the shooting commenced
He regretted the occurrence, but did not
see how he could help it.
AT THE STATIONHOUSE.
When the parties were carried to the station
house, Mr.. Robinson was tenn porarily placed
in the prison building. Their pistols were de-
uvered, and nve cham bers of Mr.. RObinson's,
which is small-cartridge patent instrument,
being empty, and one of Mr.. Smelser's being
empty. In a short while a warrant of shoot
ing with intent to kill was sworn out against
both parties by Thomas j. Adams be fore JUS
tice Spelman. The proprietors of the AUd-
IGnche and Register, learning of the diff
Guilty, went to the stationhouse and
the accused, who will have an investigation
before Justice Spelman this afternoon, were
admitted to bail. While regretting the diff
Guilty, we are glad to know that its result Is not
more serious. Mr.. Smelser is not seriously in
Jured. He is bruised over the right eye,
the OYercoat button having pre-
vented the bullet entering the breast, and
producing dangerous, If not fatal wound.