Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-10-21

through the door, which was stand
ing opened back, two thicknesses
of glass, and hit DIR. W. Steward, who
stood facing the soda fount. One inflicted
flesh wound in his right wrist, the others
went through the tails of his coat, and on
the left elbow
George Stansberry recei, ed six
shots, in the legs, some of them quite pain
full Herman Schenck caught two of the
shot in his ankle. Sam. Shepard had shot
in the leg, and J. NJ. HUTCHINSON, from
the country, got one In the foot.
None are thought to be serious.
Richard Childress, had four or five shots
through his coat and vest j. P. Moffett,
of the express service, had a shot through
the sleeve, and it lodged in his coat pocket
The large bay horse attached to the
express wagon, was backed up
to the sidewalk, with his head turned up
towards Clinch street. He received six or
seven shot in the right thigh, side and flank,
some pretty serious ones, and they will
probably prove fatal.
The tragedy was the sole topic of conver-
sation for the rest of the day, and nothing
else was thought of, hardly. The streets
were thronged with men and boys, taking
no notice of the rain and slop,
for the rest of the day, and
knots of men were to be found at fire.
quent intervals, discussing the matter, and
viewing the scene of action. There were
no demonstrations of any kind, from any
source, looking to any further trouble or
bloodshed over this matter.
Never before has our community been SO
shocked by any occurrence. This is due
both to the prominence of the parties con-
cerned, and the former scenes of car
mage and bloodshed which have
transpired within the past eight
or ten months with which the two Mabrys
have been directly connected.
1t was the busiest day Ia the history of
the Western Union telegraph Office at this
place. Hundreds of messages were re-
ceived and forwarded, and the wires were
kept busy all day and night.
The origin of this lamentable tragedy
dates back something over year, to the
negotiations for purchase by Maj. Thos.
O'Conner of two pieces of property known
as the Cold Spring property, and the Che
vannes place, both of which were heavily
mortgaged From the sale of these General
Mabry received at the time of the transfer
So, 900, and has since received $500 1t
seems that third party was wishing to
purchase the Chevaunes place, but General
Mabry notified him that he could not get
it, as Major O'Conner was going to pre-
sent it to his son, Will G. Mabry.
This coming to Major .O'Conner's ears, he
denied it most positively, stating that he
was making the purchase for himself, and
knew nothing whatever of Will. in the
transaction. Sometime after that, on
Christmas eve, December Oath, 1881,
Will G. Mabry, son of General Ma
bry, was killed by Don G. Lusby.
1t was soon charged Icy General Mabry
that Major O'Conner had procured this
killing to get Will out of the way, but it
was stoutly and firmly denied by Major
OConner, who affirmed that he didn't
know Lusby at all. and had no business
connection affecting Will that he knew of.
More recently Major O'Conner was ap-
piled to to go on large security debt,
which was declined. The hard feeling
seemed to intensity, as time rolled on.
Finally Of ba fair
grounds, south of the river, Wednes-
day evening, General Mabry cursed
and denounced Major O'Conner,
commencing by accusing him of being re
sponsible for his son Wills death, and call
ed him a Cd id robber and murderer
Major O'Conner told him that was no time
or place, and he would have no difficulty
there, but would meet him at any time and
place and settle rhatters. Genera
Mabry swore that was the time and place,
and that one had to die-this town would
not hold them. Friends interfered and
prevented collision; which was immi-
| nent.
1t is positively asserted that Joe
Mabry and other friends made ev-
cry attempt since that time to
pacify and quiet General Mabry, and per-
suade him to let matters drop. 1t is also
said that Major orc inner received word
yesterday morning from General Mabry
that he would kill him on sight; that he
(Mabry) did not expect to live
much longer, but he intended to live long
enough to make Tom O'Conner bite the
| dust.
These circumstances being known to a
number of persons friends of both parties,
difficulty was confidently expected at the
first meeting of the parties.
Immediately after the shooting James
| o. Dickens, Charles G. Dickens
and Henry Howard, nephews of
Major OConner, who were in the
bank, were placed under arrest They are
guarded at the rooms, to await the action of
the grand jury on the verdict of the coro-
ner's inquest. That verdict, as is seen, as
well as the weight of evidence. duplicates
no one but the dead men Mr.. Steele,
who was with Gen. Mabry, was also placed
under arrest, but there being no evidence
to implcate him, he was released from fur
ther custody.
VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY,
There are few men in Tennessee, or the
entire South, more widely known or of
more prominence in business circles than
Major Thos. O'Conner, who lost his life in
yesterdays tragedy. He was native of
Halifax county, Va, and was 46 years of
age. He came to Knoxville when but a
youth, and worked at his trade, as harness
maker. He gradually, by indefatigable
energy and enterprise and shrewd business
management, rose from that position to
one of prominence as successful fnancier
and business man, perhaps second to no one
In the State. For number of years he
has baen q memher of the firm, of