Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-02-28
ON The WAR-PATH.
MEjOr Tom 0'COnner Beats up 6
Ma hVille Editor.

A4N @pNA N0A
tains an extract from a Jonesboro paper
referring in bitter terms to the "peniten-
tiaty ring" and other rings. The same
article had previously appeared in the
Rockville Chronicle, and, if we mistake
not, in one or two other State papers.
Msjor Tom 0'Conner, Of the firm of
Cherry, 0'Conner & Co., part Of the
firm leasing the penitentiary, took ex-
ceptions 10 the publication Of the extract
and addressed the following nole to Mr..
Atcheson:
NASHVILLE, February 26, 1873.
To the Editor of the Banner:
In your pepper of yesterday, you use
this language about the %lessees OF the pen.
itentiary ,sty ling the lessees frat, a"liug."
They have openly and brszingly com
mitted these outrages aud crimes, under
the forms Of law enacted by legislatures
which they bribed by a moiety Of their
i'll gotten gains"
This beingoae of many similar articles,
| am driven TO ask you to publish, or at
least furnish, the proof Of this grave
charge, or relract il in the next issue OF
your paper. Respectfully,
THOMAS 0'CoNSER.
This note was carried to the Banner
Office by Colonel A S. Colyar, the sttor-
ney for Cherry, 0'Conner & Co and also
a friend Of Mr.. Thomas Atchesou, editor
OF the Banner, who published it with the
following comment:
The charges or i~nsinnations were no.
made by the Banner, and the Banner did
not assume tn be responsible for them.
Like hundreds Of other things that con.
tribute to the news of the day, or help to
give space to a discussion Of State issues,
y vas published as a matter Of interest,
without the slightest intention OF doing
Injustice to AIRY one. We are informed,
with nc small degree Of posiuyen g, that
the particular charge referred to above
is without foundation. If such is the
case, the Banner dieclGims any intention
Of Wiliully giving currency to any
%groundless charge.
This, however, did not satisfy Major
0'Conuer, who insisted that the charges
or ins~inuatiens contained in the copied
extract should be retrseted by the Ban
per. The American Of yesterday gives
the following concluding account Of the
result Of the affairs
Aiteri it was known that Mr.. Atcheson
refused to furnish the proof or retract
the statement, it was apparent a diff
Guilty would take place, AND, indeed, so
enEiogs we're the stockholders 10 Mr..
AtGbeson's paper cpd Mr., Colyar to pre-.
vent a difficulty that they all urged that
justice always demaid ed that when a
wrosg had been done it should be re-
paired, and that serious consequences
would f-llow q refusal to furnish the
gvoQf or retract. Mr. Atcheson still re
fused, and lhs irst time he appeared on
the street the difficulty occurred.
From gentlemen who we're eye wit.
nesses Of the rencounter we gather the
following:
Aajor Q'Cenner came up Union street
on the south side, from Callege. AZ be
approached the corner Of Union and
Cherry, ia front Of Wigger's jewelry
establishment, Mr.. Atcheson who haC
been standing on the corner Of Unior
and Cherry, d~iagonally opposite) crossed
onion SO ss 10 place himself Immediately
10 front Of 0'CoRnef, eagqss Cherry
street. Major 0'ConBeT advanced int
Cherry street, and said TO Mr.. Atchesor
Defend yourself" or, as some OF the by
CHAMBERS say, Draw your pistol" A
tae gaze ijme Major 0'Conner drew BIZ
pistol on MF. kteheaoR and continued Il
advance on him. Atcheson said be wa
unarmed. Major 0'Conner then wen
to him, denounced him for being up
armed after his publications and wha
bs@ trsnspired that morning, kicke,
hin. struck aim in ihe face with his lsi
haad, and finally struck him oyer tn
head with bis pistol, Citizens interlered
! when Atcheson, bleeding proiusely, wen
10 his office, and a police officer too
charge Of Major 0'Conner.
-p-@-1-
Secretary Eyarts has %grievously disal
IL. IL aA.raanaAs