The Van Buren press., 1878-05-07
1USIN less !!
Rcncounter Between Maj. John d,
Adams and Col. in. Smithee.
Seven Shots Exchanged Smithee Shot
in two places.
MAJ. ADAMS UNINJURED.

We are under obligations to Charley
HALEY for following Sunday Globe OK
ira, which we received just before going
to press
A personal newspaper controversy
has been progressing between Major
John d. Adams, Of the Gazette, and Col
J. N. Smithee, State Land Commissioner
and editor of the Democrat, for the last
few days. In his reply, Saturday, Col.
Smithee used the following language
There is no alternative but for me to pro-
nounce John ID. Adams liar in whom there
is no truth, corrupter of men, as he is mo-
torious debaucher of women, a slanderer,
who is purse proud enough to suppose that
his money can shield him from the conse-
quences of his calumnies a thing In human
| form, in whom there are elements which
when necessity requires 1t, will develop him
| into either petty, or first. class thief, ac-
cording to the size of the pile in his reach.
To the above Maj. John D. Adams
made a lengthy reply in the Gazette of
this morning, winding up us follows:
Summing up the facts in the case the fol
lowing points are made: |. Smithee purloin-
ed the document referred to at the solicita-
ton of Haney. ,. lie allowed an innocent
boy to be accused of the oilense, and saw him
driven in disgrace from the Gazette office on
| account of AN infamous act of which he,
Smthee was guilty. 3. He seeks by vile epi-
thets and general GENIAL to defend himself.
4. After publishing all the vile language he
can commhnd, like coward that he is he
hides himself
Atabout 10 clock this morning, Maj
Adams, walking alone, and in front of
the stairway entrance to the Stoddard
Bank building, came almost face to face
with Col. J N. Smithee, who, in compa-
ny with Capt. James Cook, was just
mounting the pavement at the corner.
Quito a number of persons were on
rither corner, anticipating such meet
ing, and as the two principals discovered
each other, each drew his pistol. Mayor
Fletcher who was present, ordered the
parties to desist. Maj. Adams, who, un
der the circumstances, appeared to be
unusually cool, as he drew his pistol with
his right hand waved his left, requesting
the crowd to clear the way. Colonel
Smithee, probably under the excitement
and Importance of the occasion appeared
to be somewhat nervous, but was on time
with his pistol, and although opinions
are divided on the subiet, it is generally
asserted that he got in the first shot, fol-
lowed with rapidity by one from Maj
Adams. The distance between the par
ties could not have exceeded twelve feet.
After firing his first shot Col. Smithee
stepped or jumped behind the upright,
triangular board sign of r. B. Mills, at
the same time continuing his shooting at
Major Adams, who Immediately advanc-
ed on him, firing at him as he lodged
around the sign on one side, and then
meeting and firing on him, It's he came
around on the other. The distance, in
the last instance, was not over two or
three feet between the parties, and as
Col. Smithee fired four shots in all, Maj.
Adams three, the wonder is that both
these determined and brave gentlemen
were not killed. After his fourth shot,
Col, Smithee threw his pistol at Maj. Ad-
ans. and il il sssnrted did draw or at
tempt to draw, second pistol, at the
same time staggering or running in a 81
ding manner until about two-thirds of
the way across Markham street, when he
tell, and while lying in reclining posi-
ton, was approached by Maj. Adams, pis-
tol in hand. After gazing down on his
PROSTATE foe fora moment, the Major
remarked: % You ID dog, could
kill you, but will spare Your life"
Friends approached, Col. Smithec was
lifted from the ground, and carried into
a drug store. At the same time a couple
of gentlemen grasped Major Adams
shoulders in u friendly but the Same
timd such a firm manner as to render him
utterly powcrless. An officious police
man, seeing the pistol still in the Majors
hands, and not approaching the fact that
the Major was helpless, and had spared
his enemy when he had him at his mer-
cy, struck the pistol from the aor's
hand with his club. This was an unwar-
ranted act of brutality.
Mai. Adams was arrested by Chief
Counts and gave bonds for his appear
ance before Squire Morrison, the sum
ofS2000, with Jas. Mitchell, Jas. e, IsbelI,
w. d. Blocker and J. e. Reardon as
bondsmen. Major Adams received no
wounds, but the brim of his hat was rid
died by a ball. Col. Smithcc was shot
through the right arm below the elbow,
and as his arm was bent, tho ball struck
it again, and lodged just below the
shoulder, from whence it was extract
ed lie also received flesh wound in
bullock. From the fact that he was
able to walk to the carriage after com.
inc from the hands of the SURGEONS. we
infer that he is not seriously injured.
The above report is made, mainly
from our own personal observation of