Smyrna times., 1881-03-30
Fought Over a Grave.
A CoLoRED MAN WHO KEPT PROMISE, AND a
WHITE MAN WHO WAS NOT AFRAID
ONE OF THE MOST DRAMATIC
TRAGEDIES ON RI.
CORD.

Several years before the war there occur.
rad tragedy in the eastern part Of Ten
npssee, near the present site Of Rugby.
which aroused the indignation of the en-.
tire community. Several days ago the con.
rluding chapter was enacted:
In the neighborhood me ntioned there
lived young man named Abraham Dent,
n man Of 6ns eduratiOn. usually kind in
disposition, but of so violent a nature
when aroused that he WAS known as bad
Dent. lie was tall and handsome, posses.
-ing remarkable physical strength and an
activity that had made him q fAvOrite on
the school house play ground. He was
wealthy, 70 which influence he owed his
escape from imprisonment, for hs had
killed man, aud was only cleared after
the hest legal talent had been employed IN
mis- defense. lie WAS not addicted to the
use of liquors, but would, as his cOmpan'
IONS feared il. get on spree OF illhumor
On such occasions he was morOss, quarrel
.nme Aad dangerous. His freaks were
.trange and unaccOuntable. lie would h+ll
i friend out 0f an alteration and imm+
iiately turn and knock him down. Among
his companions was yeung man nance
Louis Guill--a noble fellow. He was VI
brave AS lion, intelligent, kind.hsarts'
aud faithful to every obligation. His fAthe
aud mother were dead, having Willea hin
he farm and several "black folks" Th
friendship between GULL and Dent was
,utject OF remark. for where Dent was VIC
irnt GULL was genial where Dent Was I'll
or fight" GULL favored an "a aljustmen
md hearty laugh. Yet the iva yOun
nen were friends. II seemed that the
were born friends; their fathers wei
friends. Their mothers insisted upon hA'
ang the same kind Of coffee; the san,
kind of cooking; had the s&ms ideas r.
sarding children, and, of couSs were friend
One day at picnic, the two friends Fl
gagged in quarrel.
"You told me you were not going
lance with that GIRL exclaimed Dent.
81 know did, Abe, hut couldn't We
get out of it. The boys arranged the 8
and asst gned tie partners"
at wouldn't make any difference to n
what the boys did, wouldn't acknOUled
that hal told Id lie."
IF n man tells lie it is better to &
knowledge it. hope have not offe
ded you"
a." but you have. When man tells Z
a Id lie hold him accountable for n
"Ahe. you are on one Of your sprses
day. Lot the matter drop"
{" am not in an i'll humor, and you ut
id lie when you say So"
"Abe, this has gone far enough"
"It shall 20 as far as want it. mss
what said"
care you in earnest?'
n al am"
"GO away then. Don't Call me a
:, again. If you do I'll knock you down"
Several friends raised up, among th
AN old colorsd man, owned by GULL.
was his masters friend as we'll a. serva
and would have risked his life for the n
who could make hIs existence miserable
pleasant, and whe nobIy chose the latteI
MARS Louis" said the darky, sd
st hab no truck wild dat man. He doan k
no NOAH fur blood dan he do fur wat
and he put his hands gently on his mast
arm.
"Get away Buck" said GULL. He
;n,uIted me and must pay the penalty.
Dc Let him alone" coolIy remarked d
!, and the next instant he lay full length
the ground. Blood flowed from his mo-
aad for a time he seemed to be insensi
Recovering suddenly he drew a Bal
knife, and as GULL stopped oyer TO I
W. him he uttered an oath aud plangsd
knife blade into Guill's breast. Sue
stampede followed that Dent esca
g. Gull lay on the bosom Of his faithful 81
Buck, Im dying" he said. "It v
murder. Buck, are you horeT"
~ "Y-s, Mars Louis, is heah.'
IN1 "If Dent is not hung BY Law want
to kill him."
Yes, Mars Louis"
'W, /" But don't take advantage OF i
Fight him with kaifa. Do you prem
Eyes, Mars Louis, I'll follow him Il
end Oh de parthl Tll--oh, my mast
deg,l r. fara. &
The tragedy sent a thrill of he
:. through every one. Old mea shed
fore when they saw poor GULL lying on
.s1 sTe' ground. with his hands full OF grass p
up with the grasp of death. l-r.
Gulll was buried in a little orchard
N the old fsrm house. Buck delivers
|us funeral sration. Several ministers of
their services, but the colorsd man ella
the right, and AS no one could dsub
-. friendship which existed between m
reaa. and servant. no one disputed the rig
! -. 3, the faithful old man to conduct the
g. :, g msnies. On Sunday afternoos, whs
mun ahona hriwht an the Rppie bieas