The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-09-11
THE DEADLY PISTOL
Does its MurderOus Work i'm the
Hands of a Drunken Man.
I'D. G.. Oliver Killed by Jim Scott
Oh Main street last Tuesday.

on Main street last Tuesday.
The sharp crack of pistol in front
of Bingham's store startled the people
on Main and front streets last Tues,
day afternoon about five o'clock, when
a large crowd soon collected to inves-
tigate the matter. 1t was found that
d. G. Oliver had received a wound,
supposed to be mortal, from the dis
charge of pistol in the hands of Jim
Scott. The ball entered little above
and to the left of the right nipple.
Mr.. Oliver was removed to his
fathers home, some half mile off,
and expired in about two hours after
the time he was shot.
1t was a solemn scene that was pre-
sented near the Main street entrance
of Edwards q Shepherds store, with
the dying man lying on the pavement
and asking in the rapidly-apprOach-
ing moment of dissolution to be pray
ed for. And many blanched face
was watching with eager intent to see
whether those short gasps would end
in death or not. No more solemn
event has ever taken place in this
community, because there can be
nothing more serious than the cutting
off of the thread of human life.
Now as to the causes. From the
best accounts, it appears that Scott
had been drinking considerably; and
while this practice is exceedingly rep
rehensibIe, still it seems as if it can
not be prevented altogether; but had
it not been for the other cause-con-
cealed weapOns-there would have
only been a harmless tussle, and the
man would be living now. Why are
men permitted to go around Milan
from day to day with deadly weapons
concealed on their person Why, a
law-abiding citizen, who is an honor
to the community. may be frequently
at the mercy of such lawless charac-
tiers; and the peop'e demand that the
officers be more vigilant and prevent
this fragrant breach of the statute
which underlies this most heinous
violation of the laws of God and man.
In such cases. prevention is everything,
for although the law may be satisfied,
yet life cannot be brought back.
The following are the facts of the
difficulty, detailed to US by eye-wit-
nesses:
Scott, while drunk, met Mr.. r. H.
Clark on the street and insisted on his
drinking with him. Clark declined,
and told Scott that he ought not to
drink any more. Scott had Clark by !
the collar with his left hand and still |
insisted on his drinking. At the same
time he had his right hand in his
trousers pocket and motioned as if he
would shoot. Clark advised him to
be quiet. Oliver was near by and |
told Scott to let Clark alone; that he |
did not want to be bothered with him.
Scott turned to Oliver then and want
ed TO know "what in the HI you've |
got to do with it," Oliver told him
he had nothing to do with it; but he
thought he ought not to trouble Clark |
so for nothing. One word brought on
another, until Scott called Oliver a
d-n s-n of a b-h, when Oliver ad-
vanced on him, and caught him by |
the arms and threw him down, evil
IDENTIFY trying to disarm him. Scott
had his hand on his pistol, and told
Oliver to stop. As they arose, Scott
fired, when they again clinched, Oil
yer trying to get the pistol. Consta-
BILE Williams came up at this time
and took hold of the parties, and, with
the assistance of others, separated
them. Oliver walked up the street
about ten steps, when he reeled and
would have fallen had not some gen.
tlemen eased him down.. Drs. Har-
rison, Jordan and Blount were prompt
ly at the wounded mans side, and did
all in their power to soothe him in
his dying hour; but he was past NOR
tai help. The pistol was a small
Smith q Wesson fve-shooter, and on
" one shot was fired.
We are informed that Oliver and
Scott had quarrel few days previ-
Gus, but did not come to blows. A
pistol was found in divers pocket af,
ter he was wounded. SCOTS trial
takes place at ten o'clock this morning,
before Esq. Hale.
ESQ. Hale summoned jury yester-
day morning and held an inquest over
the body. The jury gave the verdict
below:
State Of Tennessee, Gibson County,
An inquisition holden at the residence
of Wilson Oliver, in the town of Milan,
in the county and state aforesaid, on
the 10th day of September, 1879, be-
fore s II Hale i p and actinor