Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-11-19
HERNDoN-CoLEMAN.
A ClarksyIIIe Boys Difficulty In
the West

Private letters to relatives ant
friends In this city give the partieu
lars of a serious difficulty ut Lake
City, Colorado, in which, Mr.. J
Ossian Young, young gentleman
formerly of this city, was one of the
principle actors, and which in al
probability has proved fatal to his
antagonist. We extract the follow.
ing particulars of the unfortunate
affair from a letter of Labe E. Smith
who is also from this vicinity, hav-
ing been raised in New Providence,
and who went out West with Ossi-
an Young few years ago.
Mr.. Smith, writing to Mr.. Dun
can Mari, Of this city, who is an
uncle of Young, states that the diff
ficulty grew out Of a local election
for County court clerk, in which
there were two candidates, Demo
crat and a Republican. Ossian
Young took an active part in behalf
of the Democrat who was elected.
The next morning he (Young) was
accosted by Bennett, the defeated
candidate and brought to task for
some alleged remark made by
Young detrimental to his character.
Young stated that he did not re-
member to have made such re-
mark, when Bennett gave him the
damn lie. Young replied that If
any lying had been done Bennett
was the author. Bennett then struck
him a heavy blow in the face, and
a scuff1e ensued in which Young
used his pistol. The first shot pass
ed through Benefits hat. Bennett
then rushed in on Young and at
tempted to grab his legs. While in
this position the second shot was
fired taking effect in Benefits
back.
Young gave himself up, and at
last accounts was in the hands of
the officers but not isil.
Labe Smith states t there was
some talk of lynching by the Ben
nett faction in case he died, but that
he and the Sheriff and about a doz-
en- men, armed with six shooters
and Winchester rifles were protect
ing Young, and would dor so to the
bitter end. Those who know Labe
Smith know him to be true as
steel, and to mean what he says,
and if Young is attacked, some one
will bite the dust.
The whole affair is a very unfor-
tunate one and much to be regret
ted. One thing Is certain, Ossian
Young would never have resorted
to his pistol unless he acted in self
defense, and to protect himself.
The writer of this article has known
him for years, in fact went to school
with him, and knows him to be
quiet, unassuming gentlemanly
man, and while brave and prompt
to assert his rights, we have never
known a more inOffensive and less
quarrelsome young gentleman.
Quiet to tlmidity, he was always
affable and pleasant to all
who came in contact with him, and
has never been known to engage in
a personal difficulty with anyone.
He bears a most excellent reputa-
ton among all who know him here,
and there are hundreds of our very
best citizens who are ready and will
ling to testify to his worth and up
rightness Of life. The man who
was shot is reported as a bully and
luarrelsome fellow, who had
tdowned his man" and ran strictly
on his muscle. Ossian Young's
many friends in this city deeply re-
greet the occurrence, and wish him a
speedy and honorable acquittal.
The latest advices we have, are da-
ted the 10th, and at that time Ben
nett was still alive.