The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-06-13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NIr. James p. Wilson Surrenders
Himself for Trial After %
[From the Daily Charlotte observer.)

| ears.
| CFrom the Daily Charlotte Observer.)
The courtroom was packed yes
terday morning by an anxious crowd,
including many of our oldest and
best citizens, to witness the arrai On
ment and trial of Mr.. Patton Wilson
for the murder of Nathan G.. Clay
land in August, 1854-twenty- three
years ago. The high estimation in
which the family of Mr. Wilson is
held in the community, 9ether with
the time that had elapsed since the
killing was done, invested the case
with peculiar interest. Added to
this too, was the remarkable fact
that there are now no living eye
witnesses to the unfortunate occur
ance.
Mr.. Wilson returned a few days
ago to his old home, the place Of his
nativity, which he had not seen in
twenty-three years, for the purpose
of surrendering himself to the law.
A day or two after his return,
capias was issued by the clerk OF the
court and he was taken to Jail, where
he remained till the case was called
before his Honor Judge Cloud.
He was arraigned according to the
usual forms of law. The bill of in
dictment set forth that James P. Will
son, had on the 14th day of August,
willfully killed Nathan Clayland, by
shooting him with pistol. During
the reading of this, the utmost
silence pervaded the whole room,
Notwithstanding that it was filled to
its fullest capacity.
Solicitor Montgomery on the part
of the State informed the court that
when he first knew of the intention
of Mr.. Wilson to surrender himself
for trial, he went to the friends of
Nathan Clayland, and Of his family,
and stated the fact to them, and
further informed them that if they
would aid him in procuring the wit
nessess, he would prosecute the case
to the best of his ability, as required
by law. He found no one disposed |
to prosecute the defendant. It was
rather remarkable fact that all the
eye witnesses to the killing were
now dead. He however had two
witnesses who knew something of
the occurrence.
James Fox, colored, and James
Alexander were then sworn. The |
former was put upon the stand aud
testified that he saw the deceased |
and the prisoner enter the room of
William Quinn (the store on Trade |
street now occupied by Nisbet &
Bro.,) and in short time thereafter
heard the report of pistol He
next saw the prisoner come out, get
on his horse and ride off.
James Alexander testified that he
was with the deceased during his last
illness. He had heard him say that !
the prisoner shot him, aud that he
did not wish him prosecuted for it.
Col. H. 0. Jones then made an
able, eloquent and feeling speech in
behalf of Mr.. Wilson. He told in
touching manner his clients own
story of the unfortunate occurance.
The two had been fast friends, al
though the deceased was several |
years the senior of the defendant.
They were riding together when a
dispute arose as to the relative speed |
ceased struck the defendant. A
quarrel ensued during which one
drew his fist, and the other his pistol |
and fred.
He hoped the court in pronounclng
the sentence would 1ot forget the ex-
treme youth of the defendant, who
at the time of the occurrence was
only sixteen years of age, and that
the deed was done in moment Of
heated passion SO natural to a high
spirited youth who considered that
he had been insulted.
He then dwelt upon his wandering
in strange lands for twenty-three
years without the sight of a familiar
face, and without even a message
from the home of friends of his
youth of all the sufferings which
this had entailed, and of the lines of
trouble that thus early in life marked
his face.
He reminded the court of his vo-
luntary return and surrender, that
the ends of justice might he accom-
pHshed. He had voluntarily admit
ted the deed at time when the State
was unable to prove it.
At the conclusion of Col. Jones
remarks, Gen. Rufus Barringer made
a most feeling address of few
minutes in the same strain.
His Honor Judge Cloud after a
few remarks on the nature of the
crime, sentenced the defendant for
homicide. to five years imprisonment
in the county Jail.
MIR. Wilson returns to his home
shattered in mind and body. but with
the sympathy of the entire commun-
ity. He has led a temperate and
industrius life. He fought through
the whole war in a Texas regiment,
and distinguished himself on many
fields of battle. For deeds of bra
very he was raised from a private to
the captaincy of company, and re-
ceived other marks Of favor from
his commanders. He is now forty
years of age.