Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-06
SHOOTING ARRAY.
Two Arkansas Newspaper Men he
hOn with Reviewers,

W Arkansas Newspaper Men Rea.
hOn with Reviewers.
A serious shooting ARRAY occurred in
Little Rock in front Of the Stoddard
Bank building at IL o'clock yesterday
morning between Major John D. Adams.
principal proprietor of the Little Rock
Gazette, and Mr.. J.. N. Smithee, who is
editor of the Arkansas Democrat, an
evening paper lately started. Mr..
omiihee IS also lana commissioner and
agent OF the Associated Press. he was
formerly ono Of the proprietors Of the
Gazette, but has been out for some time,
Both parties stand high, possess abund-
ance of nerve and courage, and have, as
we would say of a candidate. hosts
Of friends. A warm Controversy
has been going On between them
some weeks; in fact, since Smithee got
hold OF the Democrat. Charges and
counter charges were made, and old
things away back as far as the beginning
OF the war we're revived for the informs.
ton OF the new generation, which has
grown mp since, We have read up the
controversy as a curiosity III journalistic
literature, but never fully understood it.
The starting point seems to have been
an attack upon the Adams edfeld plan
for settling the State debt. The Demo.
Graf OF Saturday evening contained a
column and a half article from Smithee,
which closed as follows:
There is no alternative bat for ma to
pronounce John D. Adams a liar. in
whom there is no truth, a %corruptor Of
men, as he is a notorious debaucher of
women; a slenderer who is purse. proud
enough to suppose that his money can
shield him from the consequences of his
ealamnies; a thing in human form in
whom there are elements which. when
necessity may require it, will deyelon
him into either a petty or a FIRST class
thief, according to the size Of the pile in
his reach.
| have %endeavored heretofore to re.
move this controversy from the public
prints, that our readers might noe be
annoyed with it. l now make another
effort to that end.
But even this did not take it out of the
papers, for the Gazette Of Sunday morn.
ing had another long article from Major
John D. Adams, from which we select a
few lines:
Smithee gets into a great rage over the
proof of his guilt, as proven 10 Saturday
mornings Gazette. No wonder, for
such Infamous conduct fastened apon
him ought to cut him off from the soci-
ETY. of all honorable men.
de used language in the last tive mar.
agrsphs in his letter yesterday, with a
view to force me to recognize him aga
gentleman, but having proven him iu:
famous, l cannot elevate him by such a
recognition; therefore this reply.~-
Every charge which | have made
against him is true. and he knows il.
After publishing all the vile language
which be could command, like a coward
that he is, he hides himself.
They met yesterday morning, as we
stated, but whether by accident or mu.
tual purpose, we know not. The report
is that they both drew and commenced
hiring when twenty PAGES apart and
closed up until almost together. Smithee
received two severe wounds, one in the
right arm and the other in his hip. 1t is
said that he only fred two shots, and
that Adams fred three or four. Adams
escaped unhurt, although closely grazed.
His friends claim that be could have
killed Smithee after the later fell, but
withheld his FIRE. Both acted with ut.
most eoolness and courage.