The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-10-10
MORE SHOOTING IN H1No00K.

MORE SHOOTING IN HAN0OOK.
LEE VALLEY. Oct. I'd. 1877
To the Editor of the Morristown Gazette
/ The following particulars Of a serious,
and probably fatal shooting affair, at
Mulberry Gap, Hancock county, was
given US by Rev John Gilbert, Of Mul-
berry Gap ;he was an eyewitness to the
fearful tragedy, in which Andrew Rbee
got seriously, and Budd Rains supposed
to be fatally shot.
Deputy Sheriff Harry. Smith was hold
ing an election last Saturday, the Goth
| September, for the purpose of electing
constable to ill a vacancy Andy Rhea
being one of the candidates for the office,
was on the ground. 1t appears that
there has been bad feelings between
Andy Rhea and Budd Rains for some
| time, and Rains was exerting his infu-
ence against Rhea in the election and
came to the voting ground accompanied
by several men armed with guns and
pistols, partially intoxicated, and SEEM
ingly intent on a little ''bulldozing -
Everything went on quietly, in the
meantime, until vote was offered by
one of Rains crowd, a son of Armstead
Collins, who was known to be under
age; objection being made on these
grounds, Deputy Sheriff Smith ask ed
him if he was willing to swear that he
was twenty-one years old, and he an
swered that he would not but being en-
couraged by the gang of roughs, he, and
they also, cooked their guns and swore
he should vote without being sworn, or
the ID would be to pay the Deputy
Sheriff, called on Mr.. John Southers,
Andy Rhea and others, to disarm the
disorderly fellows, and to assist him in
keeping the peace this they proceeded |
to do by disarming all the turbulent part |
of the crowd, except Rains who, rather
than surrender his gun, took it into a |
store near by, and put it away. While
Budd was still in the store, Rhea started |
there also, with the guns he had taken,
to deposit them for safe-keeping, to be /
returned to their owners after the cleo /
ton was over. AS Rhea was approach
ing the store, with the guns under his
arm, some ever-ready mischief-maker
ran in and told Rains that candy Rhea
was coming to kill him." and to "loOk
out :" Budd, knowing the desperate ma
ture he had to deal with, Immediately
drew pistol, and as RheA entered the
door, fired, the ball striking Andy in the
left arm, just below the elbow the in
slant Rains fired, he sprang at Rhea,
1, IL
while locked in deadly embrace, Rhea
managed to get out his pistol, and throw
ing his right arm around Rains body,
turned the pistol toward him and shot
him in the back, near the point of the
the ball ranging down
ward and inwardly, probably passing
through the left lung, as he has been
splitting blood freely ever since.
Rhea's wound, though very painful,
is not thought to be dangerous but it (
s evident that Rains can only live a ]
short time in fact, he gave up that he I
was killed from the first
Both parties disclaim any premeditat-
ed intention of killing each other, and,
IN view of all the facts, both were, or at
east thought they were, justiiable in
he shooting but the cowRrdly, false
hearted tale-teller was all to blame, and
ought to suffer for it.
Andy Rhea was undoubtedly justified {
n his action, and as an index to his
tanding in his own community, we win
i'd, that he was elected Constable last
by about six to one majority,
,ver a good man as his competitor. !
Respectfully, &c, !
CLIECH.
P S.-Tell Poats for gracious sake
o put a muzzle on his Choptack
z. E Bel, q. H.; or give him a dose of
Hayes Southern Policy" well rubbed
n; or, perhaps, mustard plaster to
ZACH temple would help his case. Some
hing must be done with him soon, or
le'H raise an instruction in Choptack.
G. {
LATER-Oct. 3-Mail boy from Null
perry saw Budd Rains and Andy Rhea '
his morning reports both alive, but I
great pain. Budd still thinks
lis case bad one. DIR. Hornsr, who is !
attending both the wounded men, has
Ioubts Of either of them recovering.