Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-10-21
THURSDAYS TRAGEDY.
Further Particulars of the T.amentabIe
Occurrence.

Ihe testimony OF number OF eye wit
nesses to the tragedy was taken. The eyi-
dence was the same at both inquests. We
give a portion, which comprises about all
the facts detailed to, the evidence being
corroboratiVe.
George z. McTeer testified that he was
standing opposite the bank, heard the first
shot from Major OConners shot gun and
saw General Alabry fall He saw Steele run
into the Peoples Bank. O'Conner
raised his gun the second
time Col G. W. Charlton, DR.. A. J.
Campbell and others went to Mabry's body.
OConner waved them off and taking de-
hberate aim fired again. He then got
another gun from inside the bank door,
don't know whether it was handed
him or not, and by this time
young Joe Mabry came to
the middle of the street and shot O'Cenner,
who wheeled at once and shot Joe with the
gun. He then heard another shot from the
door. Joe first fell when shot, then stag
gered up to his knees and fell dead, and
OConner sank down at the same time.
The shot from the door was fired after
Joe fell, and just as O'Conner fell. There
was no shot fired after 0'Conner fell
Think there were five shots in all. When
witness went into the bank, found James
Dickens under arrest. Witness got his
pistol, at his request. This pistol was ex-
hibited, with one chamber empty.
K. A. Steele testified that he was with
Gen. Mabry, came from Market Square by
Justice Alhson's Office and to Gay street.
Was going towards the Lamar House and
in passing opposite the Mechanics Bank saw
Major O'Conner, who was standing at the
door, turn and walk in, and spoke of it to
Gen. Mabry. Went or, witness on the outside
of the pavement, and in 10 or Is seconds
heard OConner fire. Witness stepped into
the Peoples Bank Mabry fell
at the first shot. O'Conner said
look out and fired another shot.
Didn't know young Joe was on the street
until after the affair was over. Heard
another shot from or near the bank door.
0n the examination over Major O'Con-
ner's remains the evidence of Steele was
objected to by Mr.. Thos. L. Williams, rep
resenting Mr. Dickens, on the account of
him being under arrest in the matter.
w. G.. Corpening said his attention was
first attracted by Major O'Conner waving his
hand. Saw him then level the gun and fire,
thought the gun snapped, but afterwards
went off About this time young Joe came
down to the middle of the street aud fired.
O'Conner then leveled his gun around and
fired at young Joe, and sank down. Wit
ness went and helped pick O'Conner up.
Saw no one shoot from the door except
OConner. Heard no word by either side.
DR.. A. J. Campbell was in Akers door.
Saw O'Conner on his bank step,
pointing his gun obliquely down
the street. Heard two shots; saw Gen. Ma
bry down. Then saw Joe come down the
street and shoot at O'Conner, who wheeled
and shot Joe, then fell. Witness went then
to General Mabry and found him dead.
Didn't see the change of guns,
out saw man in the rear of
him, with gun in his hands,
Suppose the pun O'Conner shot with was a
breech-loader, saw him take a cartridge
shell out and throw it down.
Policeman d. Il. Hicks was at Allison's
Office and heard the first shot; ran around
on Gay street. and when got opposite the
bank saw O'Conner with gun
in his hands. Saw General Mabry down;
heard shot from Joe, coming down the
street O'Conner wheeled around with his
gun, fired at Joe and fell About this time
heard a pistol shot out of the bank. Wit
ness went in the bank and arrested one of
two men in the bank, supposed he was a
nt ptew of Major O'Conner; took a shot
gun out of his hands. Another officer ar
rested JAS. Dickens and took pistol Wit
ness took the two guns and gave them to
Mr.. House.
Policeman B. j. Reeder was $50 yards
down Gay street when he heard the first
shot. Saw Mabry on the pavement. Joe
came out in the street and shot O'Oonner.
O'Conner wheelsl and shot Joe. Joe fell
and dropped his pistol, and witness got 1t.
O'Conner sank down. Joe's pistol had two
chambers empty, and was cooked
b. X. -Chlldress testified that lie was at
Ritter's and heard the first and second shot
As he went down the street young Joe came
down and shot O'Conner. Saw james
Dickens shoot with pistol tow ards doe
Mabry. Joe fell on the opposite street car
rail, from the bank. Think Joe fired only
one shot, towards OConner.
IN. Branson was in the back of the art
gallery when the first shot was fired; went
10 the door; saw General Mabry in front of
Barry's store; looked and saw Major OCon-
ner with shot gun in hand
He called look out and fired the second
shot, then stepped back towards the bank
door, exchanging guns, and wheeled around
again. About this time some one from near
the street car track fired at O'Conner saw
Joe lying there after trying to raise up. Saw
no one but O'Conner shoot. Think there
were tive shots fired.
H. T. Cooper was at McCampbelrs drug
store corner; attention first attracted by
O'Conner waving the crowd back, then
fired the second shot. Ii he
changed guns didn't see ii. He was
little above the bank door. Young Joe
came and fired O'Connor changed the po-
sition of his gun and fired at Joe, and he
fell between the street car track. About
this time think d pistol or gun shot came
from the bank door, and OConner
fell Think Joe fell first and before the
last shot, from the door.
W. F. Yardley was at the corner of Gay
and Cumberland streets; saw second shot
from the gun; saw O'Conner put it back and
get another gun. Joe came down the street
and shot, and O'Conner turned right around
| and shot Joe down and then fell. About
this time another shot came from a pistol,
over O'Conner's head, just as he was falling.
Joe fell first and rolled over In the middle of
| the street car track.
| DIR. III. NJ. Alexander examined all the
bodies and testified that Major OCon-
ner had only one wound, the ball, large
calibre; entering in front of the right shoul-
/ der, went through and penetrated the heart,
! causing death instantly. The shots
| on the Mabrys were with
| duck or squirrel shot, 20 or more in young
/ Joe's right arm and side. Found no pistol
! shot on him. There were evidently shots
at General Mabry, one taking effect in the
breast and abdomen, and one IN the legs.
The jury then adjourned till 2 o'clock,
met at the court house, and agreed upon
/ the following verdict:
THAT Maj. Thos. O'Conner came to his
death by pistol shot fired from pistol in
the hands OF Jos. A. Mabry, jr., in the city
of knoxville, County of Knox, State OF
Tennessee, on the 18th day of October,
! 1882"
''That JOS A. Mabry, ST., came to his
death from gun shot fired from the hands
of Thos. O'Conner, in the city of Knoxville
county of Knox, State of Tennessee, on the
18th day of October, 1882"
That Jos. A Mabry, jr., came to biz
death by gun shot, fired from a shot gun,
IN the hands of Thomas O'Conner, in the
s.IfN If rtn Il.a III