New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-12-04
KILLED RY MS RITAL
1nr STORY OF THE DEATH or THOMAS WATKINS
MISSOURI EDITOR

tpy reLtaH.pn ~ fHR tRinrNpl
Sr Inris, Dee. 3.-Ful particulars ot the
killing Vt Thomas Watkins the eltor of Ihe h"h"' w
John 1t lnsga tho editor ot he fourier at VIENNA
Missouri. on tuesdaroieht have reached here vienna
Ia Ia tho centre n tho state aud hssH and Watkins W"o
nne sreemens of tho native Democrat Wathiha WHA
born at aaiom, Alabama, aud often hoaHiod o' Wa '""
ern ohiValIy, biegs waa MlHaadilah bN nf'h ~"
Courier held the official patronage of Vienna M" wa
thesvnly journal that town conid hoaSl uh''' H' '
when Watkins started The Herah The hfs Issue "' '"'
latter was u signal for hostles, and from ha' 'o "'
each editor wrote and walked aud talked IN way oa"
lated TO ma ke understand that he was true sf'' "
toenails to hair-tips and "stayer from St"SN N""'
as Dggs remarked In his paper me courier however.
held thc patronage without bringing about clash OF
arms When the campaign opened the hrcaoh Wlueho''
Dggs supported the of Hockaday III the Congress
sonal fight in the XIth District, and Watkins used me
Herald in behalf of Silver Bland When the hSht came
TO a close, Diggs's man was beaten
The next move that worried Watkins was a popular
call for Diggs to become candidate for the legislature
a call which Dggs accepted. He had three coinpcu-
tors The contest however, practically between
Diggs and Warren the latter receiving o3l ana the
former 500 votes of 1,400. In this struggle WATKINS
used The Herald and his personal influence 10 deleat
Diggs of The Courier In the result me HTdfo WIS
the winning side, and the watkins roosterS
crowed Justify Friends tried to bring the quaIeng cd
itors together for ettlement Of their differences but IL
was vain. attempt to have Watkins sell out 70
Diggs failed because the former imagined tat ne wou
certainly bonanza in the end, ana the hcgoma
tions only famed the fire II gave the link singers
notorety which they seemed to enjoy They began call
ing each other names Diggs showed his contempt by
dscarding the of capitals in speaking OF tom wat
kins ;" and Thomas Watkins returned the compliment by
publishing the defeated Legislative candidate as
levce hOoduIn who couldn't drive The He dl6 out OF
town Diggs retorted in his next issue by applying de
rsve dminutves to Watkins not failing to give dehn
tious for his words when called upon.
Each editor accused the other OF running nortgaged
establishment and OF being the plant tool OF those wh"
owned his printing material Watkins made strong pa
in The Herald the public patronage on the plea mat
The Courier outfit owned by e. A. Bennett now III
Greely Colorado "a who paid no tax i'll support OF
the county while me Herdtd is home institution III
the srices Dggs replied to this ny charging
that Watkins unreliable dead beat ana oWcd
for his paper into the bargain. On Friday watkins
wrote an editorial brstling with defiance, which ne
closed by calling Diggs liar. The paper appeared on
Tuesday. The two men met on tDe street.
Watkins was coming from the direction
of his home the time. As soon as
he saw Diggs he drew knife. Digs drew his revolver
aud said he thought things had gone far enough ana
that il Watkins willing he would make up friends
Instead of replying in the spirit, Watkins aimed
blow Digs and missed him. hut the force OF the blow
turned the aggrcssors body almost around Then lggs
fired at his opponent shooting him twice In the back
and Watkins fell dead in the middle OF the street When
picked up the open knife found IN his right hand
Watkins leaves n wife and two children Diggss honey
moon has vet waned and his young wife Is nearly
hrokcn-hcartcd his act. The rival factions are at
daggers' points and more fighting is expected.