The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-12-14
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mr.. VERTREES SHOOTS SENA TOR
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SMITH
NASHVILLE, Dec. 9.-The day hiss
been one of great excitement in legisla-
tive circles
Immediately after roll call in the Sen
ate, Speaker Morgan called Matthewsto
the chair and proceeded to SPEAK on a
question Of personal privilege, review
ing the agitation over the debt settle
ment, and declaring that in casting the
deciding vote lie had acted conscIen-
tiously. The passage of the biz was
followed by charges of bribery. lie
concluded, 81 pronounce The charges
infamousIy and maliciously false, ema-
mating from the spirit of the arch fend
and another-the son of an illusLrious
sire. l denounce every insinuation-no
matter who from, as false, slanderous,
villainous and infamous, in view of the
premises and in behalf of my family,
my wife and my children, who are TO
wear my name. In behalf of my con-
stituents, in behalf of the members OF
the Senate of the Republican and Dem
ocratic parties, / demand full and
thorough investigation of the charges
against me-"
Mr.. Smith, Of Fentress, rose, and af-
ter speaking in a similar strain, and de-
handing an investigation, said in con-
| clusion: 81 understand that man max
| ing charges against me is in this house.
Here's the man-John j. Vertrees who
comes before the courts and utters lies
about me which are as false as the devil
himself. I don't impose on the hum
blest creature, aud 30 one can impose
on me. Idenounce him as liar, who
acted un professionally, and l will be
sustained by all the sensible lawyers in
this country"
Senator Barrett followed to the same
effect
Bell offered a resolution of the Joint
Committee to investigate the charges.
Pending the discussion, the Senate ad-
| journcd till 2 p. m.
Rumors of these speeches were cir
culated tonight, and the Senate cham
| Der was filled with the friends of all
parties. Fearing a collision, six police
was sent for. Smith and Morgan passed
down to the Maxwell House together,
Smith about 1890 was sitting in the
rotunda of the hotel reading a paper
when Veltrees slapped Smith on the
arm and placing a pistol close to his
shoulder fired Smith rose and while at
tempting to draw a pistol ed into a
barber shop. V,rtrees firing two or
three more shots but without effect A
large crowd gathered and a half Il dozen
men were seen flOcrshing pistols. E.
B. Turpin, of Gallatin, friend of Yer
trees, with a large revolver warned
friend and foe to keep at distance.
The above statement is given by Clerk
Long and Representative Wiltse and
corroborated by Smith. Another state
ment goes that Vertrees spat in Smiths
face when the latter drew pistol and
then Vertrees fired.
Vertrees gave himself up and was
subsequently, release on $40, 900 bond.
The ball entered the centre of Smiths
shoulder blade. The doctors prObed
for the ball, which was found some dis
lance down the side, showing that he
must have been at the time of the shoot
ing in sitting position. Smith declares
Vertrees fired from behind without say
my a word; that he was not expecting a
difficulty. He denies that Vertrecs spat
in his face, or that he (Smith) tried to
draw a pistol. He believes there was a
conspiracy TO kill him
Public opinion seems to be with Smith.