The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1879-07-30
Letter from sCIinch.s
q. KINaaT0N, TENN, July %, 1879

To the Editor Of the Morristown Gazette:
HISTORY OF A TRAGEDY.
Since the writing of our last weeks
letter, our usual quite town has been
the scene of fatal tragedy, bold and
daring robbery. and the consequent pre-
liminary examination, which, for most
of the week has gave our streets the ap-
pearance of Circuit Court times. 1t was
a week ago to-day, VIM. Burnett, Saw
yer Hart, James Bales. and two men,
employees of the c. s. r. R., were nn a
drinking spree together, and for some
cause got into row near the Exchange
Hotel in this place. Some person called
the constable and town marshal, Mr..
John M. Williams, to quell the disturb
ance, which he undertook to do, but was
resisted by Burnett, Hart and Bales
Burnett had an open knife in his hand
and made fearful threats to cut Williams,
or any one who interfered with him,
and seemed determined to kill the rail-
road man anyhow, if not prevented.
Williams being rather a light built
man, was unable to disarm Burnett, and
repeatedly called on numerous bystand-
ers to assist him, but no one came to his
aid. While he was still trying to quiet
Burnett, Hart caught hold of him, and
it appears in evidence, called on Bur
nett 20 "cut Williams damned CUTS ont
while he held him" Burnett then ad-
vanced on Williams, with his knife
raised, and swore he'd cut his throat,
when Williams turned his pistol towards
Burnett and shot him in the region of
the heart, from the effect of which he
expired in a very short time. This end
ed the row, and Williams arrested Hart
and Bales and put them in Jail on the
charge of resisting an officer in discharge
of his duty. Hart and Bales were
brought before Esquires Wester and
Moore yesterday, and waived trial, and
were bound to Court in 81, 900 each
They have not yet given the required
bond, and are still in Jail. A cOroner's
jury held an inquest on the body of Bur-
nett, and in their verdict entirely exon
Grated the constable, Williams, for any
blame In the matter. Burnett was 8
young man and unmarried.
PERAMBULATING RoBBER.
Last Wednesday, the 23d, Mr.. Adkins,
a saloon keeper, had his pocket-book
stolen from his private desk, containing
1857 in greenbacks, $35 in county war
rants and about $500 worth of notes.
Circumstances directed his suspicion to-
wards a stranger who had been lounging
around his bar-room, and who had just
left on the boat for Loudon. Constable
J. NJ. Williams and Mr.. Adkins follow
ed the boat and found their man at Lou
don intoxicated, and when Williams ar
rested him, he exclaimed, +" I never
stole any money" He had been seen
with a 800 bill and $40 bill, which
answered the description of bills lost by
Mr.. Adkins, and, as he was not known
to have had any money previously, and
had told several different tales about
where he got it, Esquire Childress held
him to appear in the Circuit Court, and,
failing to give bond, he is confined in
jail. Ninety-fve dollars was found Sc
GREETED in the fence, along the route
from the hotel to the boat landing, which
is all Mr.. Adkins has yet recovered he
is still searching for the missing pocket
book and papers, but is not likely to find
them. The accused gives his name rs w.
Louis Milburn; says he is from Washing
ton, D. c., and claims to be Mason of
high degree-a Knight Templar, of Co.
lumbia Commandery No. 2. He further
says he was initiated, passed and raised |
in the same lodge of Masons once presid- |
ed over by George Washington as W.
M. He didn't give US any more light
on Georges little hatchett." however.
We have had refreshing showers re-
Gently, and all nature seems revived |
thereby.
Yours, as ever, " CLINCH."