Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-06
THAT BLOODY GROUND.
Another Tragic Affair Near Owens
Gross Roads; in Williamson County.

Another Tragic Affair Near Owens
Cross Roads, in Williamson County.
-ssS---
David Knox Shot and Killed by Ais
BrOtheFs.ta. Law, James and Thomas
CrOss-UPshOf OF a Domestic BrOil-
The Deed Justified by a COrOner's
Jury.
Last Saturday night another name was
added to The long list of victims who had
met with violent deaths in a certain 10
cality of Williamson county, notorious for
such deeds. The tragedy was enacted at
Owens Y Roads, on the Wilson pike,
about three and a half miles south OF
Brentwood.
The trouble was all brought about by
domestic infelicity. Something less than
a wear AGO, a man named David Knox
married a widow by the name OF Mrs. rate,
SISTER of James and Thomas Cross, living
At the Mace above named. Mrs. Pate mar
ried Knox in opposition TO the wishes Of
her brothers, but after the marriage all OF
them lived together on the Owen lace.
Knox had the reputation OF be-
ing a gusrrelsone sort of fellow,
and, it is said, did not get along very
smoothly either with his wife or his bro
Tiers in-law. A short time since James
Cross and Knox had difficulty in which
the latter rather got the best Of his antago-
mist.
Friday morning last, Knox had dispute
with his wife before breakfast, and didn't
come TO the table, but went out to the
stable and staid there till noon. At u
O'Clock James Cross came to the house
| from work and asked if dinner was ready.
Mrs. Knox replied IN the affirmative, but
said they had better wait for her husband.
Her brother then said he was tired Of the
way Knox had been doing, and he would
| 90 out to the stable and ask him what he
| meant by il. As he entered the stable
| door, Knox made at him with knife In
one hand and a brickbat in the
other. Cross ordered him off the place,
and, drawing "a pistol, made him leave
| the premises. As Knox went OF he said
| he would be back in about ten minutes and
see Cross again.
Knox went off and returned with shot
gun. Finding James Cross and his brother
| Thoma atdinner, he dared them to come out
/ Of the house and said be intended to kill
them if he had to waylay them to do It.
| While Knox was standing there cuIsing
the men and threatening to kill them, Mr.
| McGaw, of Franklin, the owner Of the
place upon which the family lived, came
| up and demonstrated with him, but all tC
no purpose. When he left Knox was still
there threatening death to his wifes broth
ers.
However, KnoxIwent off during the after
noon, and remained, away all night. In th'
] evening he was at a school exhibition II
the neighborhood, aud openly made threats
against his brolheLs in-law.
About s O'Clock Saturday night hC
went home and called to his wife
from the gate. The first thing h
did was to INQUIRE if her brothers were al
home. She told them they were not. Ht
swore they were and intended to kill them
that very night. II they did not come out
he would burn the house down. He would
90 and get another man TO watch one side
Of the house while he kept guard on the
other. BE then started over to Parrish
Hollis store, a short distance away. Mean
while James and ThOm's Cross had been
standing near the barn and heard the
threats made against them. As Knox
started in the direction Of the store they
took a short route across the held and me-
him on the road about half way between
| the house and the STORE
AS we are informed, James Cross tOlC
Knox he had better defend himself, anC
! raised his gun TO shoot, but the weapon FAILED
fire. Knox then fred at Cross, but without
effect. James Cross next fired at hnol
but missed him. Thomas Cross now shot
at Knox and lodged six lead slugs IN hi
left breast, tearing the flesh terribly an,
causing him to fall heavily 10 the ground
in a dying condition.
| A Young man named Myers, a clerk II
Parrish & Hollis store, was about tn
first to reach the scene. he found TIT
wounded man lying on the ground almost
lifeless. All Knox was able to say wa
that he had been fighting with James anC
Thomas Cross, and they had shot and
killed him. The dying man was Removed
to his home and DR.. S. 5. Msyheld, sum
moned to his aid. The doctor was on
hand in a very short time, but the deadly
load had gone home, and nothing coul'
avert the death of Knox. After fee6ly tell
ing DR.. May6eld goodbye and askint
for a drink of water, he closed his eyes for
ever.
Corone- HAYNES came out from FRANKLIN
Sunday morning, and held an inquest owe
his remains. The jury returned a verdic
in accordance with the above statement
and decided that the homicide was justin
able.
The deceased was about thirty-tive year
Of age. The Cross brothers are compare
lively young men, and command the re
spect of all who know them. They are o
sober and quiet habits, and are very bar
workers. They have resided in the com
munity for a long time, and have Away
been on good terms with their neighbors.
Thev were seen by an acquaintance th'
day after the killing, aud told him the!
were going to give themselves up and sub
NIT to the law.