Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1881-02-17
FOUGHT OVER A GRAVE.
A G0LORED MAN WHO KEPT A
PROMISE.
And a White Man Who Was
Not Afraid-One of the Most
Dramatic Tragedies on
Record.

occurred d tragedy III the eastern part
of Tennessee, near the present site of
Rugby, which aroused the indigna-
ton of the entire community. Sew
eral day. ago the concluding chapter
was enacted.
In the neighborhood mentioned
there lived a young man named
Abraham Dent, man of fine educa-
ton, usually kind N disposition, but
OF so violent nature when aroused
that he was known as Bad Dent.
He was tall an1 handsome, possessing
remarkable ply steal strength an ac-
tivity that had made him favori te
on the school-house play ground.
He was wealthy, to which influence
he owed his escape from imprison-
ment, for he had killed man, and
was only cleared after the best legal
talent had been employed in his de-
ferse. He was not addicted to the
use Of liquors, but would, as his COM
panions feared it, get on a spree OF
Ill -humor On such occasions he was
morose, quarrel.ome and dangerous.
His freaks were strange and unac-
countable. He would help friend
out Of an alteration and Immediately
turn and knock him down. Among
his companions was young man
named Louis GuilI-a noble fellow.
He was as brave as a lien. intelligent,
kind hearted and faith full to every
obligation. His father and mother
were dead, having wlllcd him the
farm and several black folkes.' The
friendship between Gulii was sub
iect of remark, for where Dent was
violent GULL was genial; where Dent
was in for fight Quill favored an
adjustment and hearty laugh. Yet
the two young men were friends.
It seemed that they had been born
friends: their fathers we've friends,
their mothers insisted upon having
the same kind Of coffee; the same
kind Of cooking: had the same ideas
regarding the children, and Of course,
were friends.
One day at picnic, the two friends
engaged in a quarrel
You told me that vou were not
going to dance with that girl, e1-
claimed Dent.
I know l did, Abe, but I couldn't
we'll get ont of it. The boys arranged
the set and assigned the partners"
1T wouldn't make any difference
to me what the boys did, / wouldn't
acknowledge that | had told ID
lie.'
IF man tells lie it is far better
to acknowledge it. | hope I have
not offended you
Bat yen have. When man tells
me a ID lie. hold him accountable
for it.
Abe, YOU are on ,ne OF you sprees
to-day. Let tue matter drop
Z am not in an ill humor. and You
utter ID lie when you say so.
ABE, this has gone far enough
It shall go as far as I want it. |
meant what | said
Are you in earnest?'
/ am
Go away, then. Don't call ME a
liar again. If you dc, I'll knock you
down.
Several friends raised up, among
them colored man, owned by GULL.
H was his masters friend as well as
his servant,and would have risked his
life for the nan VINO could make his
existence miserable or pleasant, and
who nobiy chose the latter.
Mars Louis, says the darky, doan
hab no truck wild dat man. He doan
kere no noah fur blood dan be do fur
water, and he put his hands gently
on his masters arm.
Get away Buck, said GULL. He
has insulted me and must pay the
penalty
'Let him alone coolly remarked
Dent, and the next instant he lay full
length on the ground. Blood flowed
from his month, and for a time he
seemed to be insensible. Recovering
suddenly, he drew a Barlow knife and
as GULL stopped over to raise him, he
uttered an oath and plunged his knife
blade into Guill's breast. Such a
stampede followed that Dent escaped.
/, Gull lay on the breast of his faith
full slave.
! Buck, I'm dying, he said. 1t was