Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-25

FEARFUL TRAGEDY
In the Streets of Nashville, Result
ing in the Death OF Tive Citi-
zens-Sam Hicks and
Jones Baxter.
Full Particulars Of the Horrible
Affair and the Causes That
Led - 1t.
Nashville Banner. 24th.l

Nashville Banner, 24th.l
About two months ago Samuel Hicks,
who was killed to day, came into the
Banner Office stating that he had a com.
munication be would like to have pub
lished. Said communication, which
would make two or three columns, was Of
a %scandalous nature, and purported to
give details involving Judge Nathaniel
Baxter aud other parties. Hicks was
extremely anxious to have the matter
published, stating that be would pay lib
orally for the same. We teld him frankly
we could not publish it at any price, and
urged him by every consideration not to
make it public at all. since it involved
not oaly the reputation Of a most estima-
BILE citizen, but also members of his own
(Hieks) family. He went away stating
that he would have it published at all
hazards, and was prepared for the conse-
quences. We heard very little about it
a~fterward, and was not a little surprised
TO learn this morning that he had
ventilated the whole scandal at a public
meeting last night.
At the speaking by the Independent
candidates for county Offices, at The cor.
ner of Cedar and Cherry streets, last
night, Mr.. Hicks rose after the Iodepend-
ents we're through and said that in jus.
tice to himself and in ~vindlcation Of his
honor, which was desrer to him than his
life, he desired to make a personal ex.
PLANTATION. 1t had been charged all over
the city and county that he Was a black.
mailer, and in order to prove TO the
public that he was not such a person, he
wished to make q statement. Judge
Baxter, he said, had outraged one Of the
most respectable aud worthy ladies 10
Nashville. he vent to Judge Baxter
some time ago, and informed him that if
he would resign his candidacy, he would
not say anything about his misconduct.
Baxter, he said, replied that he would
resign, but after waiting a short time be
(Hicks) found that Baxter had not re.
signed as he promised. He was then
told week after week that the resignation
would 1901 be made public, but the
promise was not fulflled.
He then understood that East said il
was a blsckmailing scheme Learning
this, Hicks said he went to Judge East
and made him ~retract, in the presence
Of General G j. Stubble6eld aud Wirt
Hughes, what he, East, had said abou
him being q blackmailer. The repor
was still being circulated about him be
ing a blackmsiler, and be intended I,
defend his assailed honor If it cost hin
his life.
1t was remarked by many person
who heard the speech, that a difficulty
would necessarily follow the ul,eranees
and the prediction was fully verified il
less thaR fifteen hours alterward.
AT a few minutes prior to 10 o'olocl
this morning FL Baxter aud Nat Baxter
met Hicks on Union street, and immedi
ately a collision ensued, although it wa
not definitely known who fred the frs
shot. A ball entered Hicks RICH
breast, and Hicks shot at his assailant
Jere Baxter, IT,, and Jones Baxter thel
appeared upon the scene and the Grin
became general. Hicks started towarl
Cherry street, pursued by the Baxters
Hicks succeeded in reaching the jewelrl
store of Il. Wiggers, and was fred a
several times. Some OF the participant
, ran into the store, and the proprietor an,
/, clerks were kept busy keeping out Of th.
way Of stray bullets. One shot too
effect 10 one Of the large show windows
t too high up to do any damage TO an OF
! binary sized man. Another shiveTed til
glass Of a show case and made an ugl
dent 10 the silver rim Of the case. 1
third went through the glass Of a shO,
case against the wall, cutting large hole
through two silver card cases, ARothO