The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-10
SHOT ~ THE MAJOR.
Ex.Chief or Police Hstensr' OF Dam
vile, NertaIIy WOUNDED by
Mayor Johnston.
A Quarrel About the Collection OF Fines, the
Cause Of the DincuIfy-Captain Hatcher
Paralyzed and Death Expected.
rsn.r,,, ,.,.,r,m n The DI-patch.I

Especial telegram TO the Dispatch.l
DASvILLE, VA, September 9.-This eve
ming John II. Johnston. mayor OF the city,
shot John L. Hatcher, late chief Of police,
INJECTING what his believed TO be mortal
wound.
On the 1st instant Johnston made state
ment 10 the Council, which was published
on the 9th, that Hatcher while the chief Of
police had collected fines TO the amount Of
about $50 and had not accounted therefor.
J.. On the eth Hatcher published card, in
which he pronounced that statement "a
malicious ialsehood and a lie" and promised
10 publish the facts Of the case. This eve
ming Hatcher met Johnston casually at the
corner Of Lynn and Loyal streets, and
DEMANDED An APOLOGY.
Johnston refused TO apologize. and
Hatcher struck at him, knocking a cigar
out Of his mouth, and Johnston drew his
pistol and fred.
Some OF the witnesses say that Hatcher,
before Johnston shot him, threw his arm
behind him as il reaching for a pistol.
Hatcher says that he had a pistol in his
vest pocket. but made no attempt to draw il.
He also says that he had pocket-knfe in
his hand when he approached Johnston,
but that he shut il up when he got near
him.
In the preliminary examination there
was much difference in
STATEMENTS OF WITNESSES.
Johnston was admitted to bailior $1,000,
and the further hearing Of the case viii be
held Monday.
The pistol used by Johnston was re-
volyer and carried a large ball.
The ball entered the left side, just below
the ribs, and lodged just under the vein
behind.
Hatcher lies in grea; pain, complaining
Of cramps and inability TO breathe freely.
and is
in both legs.
At times he speaks few snort sentences.
Il is not thought he can live through the
night.
Johnston is a large, strong man; i rath-
or impulSive. and has been in one or two
other difficulties. He mas not much educa-
ton, but has been successful in trading in
tobacco, and was elected Mayor on the Co
alition ticket. lie claims in this case to
have been warned that an attempt would
be made to
COwuDE OR BEAT HIN.
Hatcher is a small. stoutly-built man. lie
came here from Clover, Halifax county.
several years AGO is member Of the Bap-
ti,t Church. and has been superintendent
OF Sunday schools, and was considered On
excellent chief Of police. and WAS elected
chief by The new Council. though Dem
ocrat himself, but refused TO serve bccau-e
he would not serve with the force that was
put under him, aud because he feared trou-
bic with Mayor Johnston.
He pronounccs johnston, act in shoot
Ing him n most cOwardly.
TIE MONEY COLLECTED.
The alleged amount collected by the
old police and not accounted for i
stated to have been S2G0.12. Since the
publication OF the report one OF the
parties, charged with being short by 81.
has risen to explain how he appeared to
have appropriated that amount; another,
charged with shortness to the amount Of
$3.50, has met the Mayor with fiat de-
NAL; and another. charged with short
ness Of IS. says that be had never had in
his possession the amount Of the fines said
10 have been paid to him, and that there
had been malicious swearing against him.