Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-23
THE KNOXVILLE TRAGEDY.
A sketch Of fhe Wen Who Fell
In It
Knoxville Specialize Nashville World.
THOMAS %o'ooySER.

THOMAS O'ooSsER.
Thomas 0'Conner was born in Hal
;fax county, Va, and was between
IS and AZ years old. He came to
Knoxville some thirty odd years ago.
when . youth, and began business here
as a hsTEess-m2ker. He grew up 3
popular, plueky and eDterprising
young nan, and before the var was
elected a. ; Justice Of the Peace for
one Of the city districts, having quail
ted b. self eTerti0n and home study.
At the breaking out Of hosdlities be
vas among the first volunteers 10 the
city 70 eolist, and j1ined HeEald's az
6lley company as Firs. Lieutenant
He served throughout the var as a
gallant and brave soldier, having spent
. term as prisoner At Johns0n's Island,
Lake Erie. Alter the var, be re-
tuned TO Knoxville, but ike others
who wore the gray, found il an IN.
pleasant abiding place, and moved his
business 10 Atlanta, where be engaged
10 the wholesale harness business, In
which be wal highly successful. and
took the sJsrt 70 accumulate bis pres
ent fortune. He returned 70 Knox
vile in a few years and married Miss
Fannie House, a charming LADY Of one
knoxyiiie's best families. Since
then he has resided 10 Nashville a
large portion OF the time, but has
always owned q home 10 this city. He
had returned to Knoxville with the
Intention Of making it his permanent
home, aud bis first business enterprise
here was the founding Of the Ne
chanlcs National Bank, Of which he
was President at the time Of his
death. The citizens Of Knoxville
had looked upon his return here as !
great benefit to the city and country.
The prominent part he has taken 10
politics and the rapidly with which
he has increased bis fortune Of late
years are well known to the readers o,
the World. He was a member Of IN,
National Democratic Committee. anC
was looked upon as the best politica
authority in East Tennessee. III
neighbors here respect him as a kinC
hearted aud liberal gentleman, an,
the community mourns his loss.
JOSEPH A. MABRY, sR.
Joseph A. Mabry, ST., is ffty 6y,
years old, and is a native OF Knoj
county, being born fifteen miles below
Knoxville. He has been al of hi
life a bold, intrepid man, rash an,
highly excitable in disputes and dif
terences with his enemies. Upon III,
other bend, to friends he was lust an,
true, and when in fortune his liberal
ity was universal. At tie close of IN,
war he went about bis business witt
great energy and foresight, and sool
accumulated an immense fortune, bu
the turning wheel Of fortune came. anC
he has been dispirited and for som
years drinking to great excess. Las
Christmas day his son William, seconI
eldest, was killed 10 a street brawl b
Dan Lusby, and since that time Gen
Mabry has been under muel
excitement and at times the balance
OF his mind has been questionable.
JOSEPH A. MABRY, JR.
Joseph A. Mabry, jr., was twenty
seven years old, and was born il
Knoxville, where he was raised ant
educated. He was in every way I
generous young man and highly
esteemed in the community. He wal
popular with his associates, gentle.
manly in all regards, and a GOOD
citizen, peaceable, sober and steady in
bis habits. Though possessed Of