Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-03
MORE KILLING.
Bloody Tragedy at Mariana, Ar
kansaw.
Two shots Through One Wan
Fails 10 Kill, Two Into the
Other Does the Work.

A bloody encounter, with tragic re-
suits, occurred at Mariana, Lee
county, Ark, between II and II
o'clock last Friday forenoon, and a
young man named James A. Bick.
ham fell a victim to the fracas. He
was a nephew of George Bickham, Of
Blckham & Moore, in New Orleans,
was a native Of that city, has lived at
Mariana for the past six years, and
was universally popular in that vi
cinity.
The origin of the trouble was an in
nocent and worthy young lady of the
place. A young farmer named Thos G.
Rogers, living miles from Mariana,
a native Of that section and a rather
undesirable character with a smoky
reputation, to revenge himself for some
fancied slight, made slanderous and
damaging remarks regarding her. Mr..
Bickham knowing the ladytO be above
reproach espoused her cause, sought
out Rogers and gave him 10 under
stand he must not repeat the SANDER.
Upon his doing this a day or two later
Bickham compelled Rogers to
sign a paper acknowledging himself a
vile falsifer. This paper was exhibi.
ted to several of his friends who knew
Rogers, and who merely remarked
that man mean enough to say as be
had said, to try to besmirch a yir-
tuous lady's name was mean enough
to sign anything, and they all thought
that would be an end of the matter.
Last Friday forenoon, a few days
after the foregoing event, Rogers ap.
peared in the town, with
several companions and was
heard to boast that he would
compel Bickham to surrender the pa
per or he would kill him. Mr.. Bick-
ham who was chief clerk for johnson
d Co., merchants, walked down to the
post Office upon the arrival Of the mail
shortly after II o'clock in the morn
ing and was mes by Rogers near the
door, the lattsS carrying a large stick.
In reply tsa request from Rogers
that he wished to talk to him, Bick.
ham said, you cannot talk to me,
sir" Rogers hen said he wished to
discuss a business matter. "Well,
said Bickham, come 0yer to the
store and see me about it there"
The two started together for John
ston q Cos. store. After a few steps
had been traversed, Rogez, suddenly
and without warning, attacked Bick
ham with his stick, striking tire,
violent blows. Then, as Biek
ham began to draw a pisto
Rogers ran of. His adversary pursued
and opened fire, eraptying his revOlvel
Of the five shots il contained. Three
shots evidently missed their aim, whilt
one passed through the heshy part o
both Of Rogers thighs and another
went through both arms, near tn,
elbows, breaking the bone of one
While this fusilade was pouring int,
him, Rogers did net confne his move
ments exclusively to running. HI
also drew revolver and sent a shots
his pursuer, striking afnger of bis lef
hand. As Rogers fell to the grount
from tho effects of his wounds, Bick
ham, standing nearly over him, pointed
his then empty pistol down as if +,
shoot again, not knowing in the excite,
ment Of the moment that the
barrels were all empty. AS he die
this Rogers turned upon his side anC
with his disabled Frm fred his second
shot, driving a bullet through th,
thumb and obliquely upWart
through his stomach.
Knowing at once that his time had
come and discovering his pistol empty,
quietly walked to his room
At the store, disrobed, lay down on his
called his friends about him
quietly arrane ed bis business
Affairs, telling all that he had but a
'ew moments to Ia e; that, though a
Of New ORLEANS vat he lovad