Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-12-27
A CHRISTMAS EVE TRAGEDY.
win. Mabry Shot and Killed by Don
Lusby
In a Difficulty Which Occurred On Gay
Street.

Lusby Badly Hurt. surrenders Himself.
and Will be Tried To-day.
Tie community was startled Saturday
night, between and o'clock, by the rumor
of bloody and unfortunate tragedy which
was enacted on Gay street, near
the corner of Vine, in which Will G. Mabry,
second son of Gen. JOS A. Mabry, was shot
and killed by Constable Don. G. Lusby, of
the second district of this county.
From the evidence of eye witnesses to the
occurrence, it seems that both Mabry and
Lusby came into the saloon of A. A. Snod-
derly both having been drinking, and Will
was bleeding from a cut over the left eye.
He was crying, and accused Don of having
mistreated and taken the advantage
of him, saying that if he, Dom had struck
him (WilO in the dark, he had acted the
id scoundrel, Or something to that effect.
Don asked VIII to take drink, but he re-
fused to do it, and Don began to curse Will
for all he could think of, and finally Will
gathered heavy china dish from the count
er and struck Don on the top of the head.
Some witnesses say he also struck him with
beer mug. As soon as this occurred, Will
ran out of the door, and Don, the blood
streaming down his face and breast, drew
his pistol and followed asking "Where is
the ID rascal" After getting a short dis
tance from the door he fired two shots in
rapid succession at VIII, who. was going
towards Vine street. Both shots took
effect, one in the neck. rather to the
rear of the butt of the right ear,
and the other under the lower right rib.
This was the fatal shot, according to the
evidence of Drs S. B. Boyd and NJ. NJ
Alexander who were summoned to make an
examination. The ball penetrated the left
lung, cut large blood vessel, and ca used
internal hemorrhage. The other shot
| ranged around from the neck under the skin
to the backbone, and was taken out 1t
was large and formidable ball, shot from
one of the largest sized pocket pistols.
| Will turned the corner of Vine and Gay,
after the shot, took few steps up the hill
and fell, and life was extinct before any one
could reach him. Some witnesses say he
never spoke after the first shot, others that
he only exclaimed, Lord have mercy, he's
| killed me-"
| AS soon as the friends of the deceased ar
rived the body was taken up and removed to
| the eating house of Orange Winston, near
! by, and Coroner r. H. Hood be-
ing summoned, impanneled the fol-
lowing jury of inquest: Caleb Smith,
David Newman, Alex. Flenniken, J. P.
Mcdaniel, Alex. Waters, S. P. Condor,
VIM. Houlihan. The jury examined Dan.
Kavanaugh, Ed. Day, VIM. Henry, and
| Drs. Boyd and Alexander, hut the hearing
was adjourned until 10 O'Clock to day, at
the courthouse, SO that further evidence
can be obtained.
The evidence of VIM. Henry was that he
saw the two men get off their horses near
the corner of Crozier and Depot streets, as
they were coming to town, and from their
language, he supposed them to be engaged
In difficulty. He says Will was begging
Don. to let him alone, and asking him what
he had done to be treated So They finally
got on their horses and came on to town, he
says.
After the jury concluded their investiga-
ton the remains were taken charge of by
friends, dressed and removed to the home
of Gen. Mabry, about mile east of the
city, to be prepared for interment.
Don gave himself up to Chief of Police
Harper and was conducted to the city hail.
where DR.. J. C. Hudgings was summoned
and dressed his wounds He had several
severe gashes in the top of the head, and
complained of an aecute pain about the butt
of the left ear. The injuries were not
thought to be of a serious nature, however.
A warrant was sworn out charging him
with murder, and was served by Deputy
| Sheriff W. F. Gibbs. The hearing was set
for 10 o'clock to-day before Justice J. M.
King, and Don was placed in charge of the
deputy sheriff, who will guard him till the
trial
It is indeed sad and unfortunate affair,
and throws pail of gloom over the Christ
mas festivities of many in this community.
AS far as can be ascertained Don and Will
had always been on intimate and friendly
terms, and they started to town together
last night. There is no questioning the
fact that but for the Influence of strong
drink the tragedy would never have oe-
CURED.
GAINED.