The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-03
THE LAST SAD SCENES
Around The Bedside of John J.
Litt,eton.
HIS DEATH IN NASHVILLEYEsTERDAY

lIttietou IS concerned All uay yesterday the
grayest apprehensions were entertained, and
before Midnight the attending physicians had
become convinced that he could not live till
morning, Inflammation had set in in the
afternoon and tho wounded man gradually
grew worse until the end came. AT half past
two o'clock This morning he died.
Drs. Eve and Bonner were with him during
the night, and soon after IL o'clock they in
formed Mr.. Litteton that his end was near.
lie did not seem surprised, nor did the mem
bers Of his family, when informed of the con-
dition of the patient, for the hopes that
had been raised in their hearts by the rallying
of the wounded man after the first shock re-
sulting from his terrible injuries, had been dis
sipated by the change in his condition yester-
day. About midnight Bishop Rademacher
administered the last sacraments of the Cath
Ollie church. Before one o'clock Mr.. Littleton
began to speak with great difficulty, but he
remained perfectly conscious. Members of the
family and friends came to him and he recog-
nized them. When his father spoke to him he
said:
YES father, I know you. Kiss me-"
He spoke to Miss Brabson, who was bv his
side. Still later he recognized Major Stahl-
man, The last words he addressed to any one
was few whispered words of endearmcnt to
his wife, who bent over him.
Before two O'Clock he became unconscious
and remained so until he expired. Friends
did all in human power for him. His sister
Mary has been by his bedside all the time.
Mrs. Littleton's sister, Miss Kate Brabson
came last Monday, and was by his side. His
father and brother Moses came yesterday from
Weatherford, Texas His brothers, William
Sanford and Jesse, were here before, having
come with his friends, w. c. ShelIo and r. i
McNutt from East Tennessee. Besides these
were Major I1. b. Stahlman, General George
Nancy, Mr.. A NJ. Hughes and Mr. Lee Ayres
and MOthersFrances of st. Cecilia academy
These two last have been with him constantly.
Soon after his death, Drs. Eve and Bonner
made a casual examination. They found thirty
six buckshot wounds in the body and limbs
The wounds, which were the immediate cause
of his death, were thought 10 be those in his
right side, over the liver, two between the
shoulders and one i'll the left side above the
lungs.
AS soon as Mr.. Littleton had bIeathed his
last, the sorroWing wife was taken to Major
Stahlman's residence, where She and her chill
dren have remained most Of the time since
Mrs iittfetou has by her fortitude and gentle
devotion to her dying husband, won tho adm-
ration and love Of those who had not before
known of her sterling qualities of mind and
heart, Mrs Pearl, who lives next door to Mr..
LittIeton, saw him coming down the street on
the fateiul Saturday, leaning on a gentleman
and she preceded him into the house to tell his
wife, Mrs. Gttleton summoned up her strength
and went quietly TO receive her husband. Al
ter getting some idea of his wounds, she said !:
Husband, l think you may die, and now
think only of heaven"
He was brave to the last and was not
afraid to die.
When he had received the last sacraments
from the bishop, he seemed perfectly recon-
oiled.
Mr.. Littleton, during his confinement, much
appreciated the attention of his friends. Soon
after he was shot, he told his wife of his bust
ness affairs, and instructed her concerning the
payment Of the few debts he owed. He gave
instructions as to the closing up of his affairs
and the care of his family. Mr.. Littleton held
a policy of life insurance for $1,000 in the
Mutual Benefit Life Insurance company Of
New Jersey and an accident policy in home
company Of this city,
The funeral services VIII take place tonor-
row at 10 O'Clock from the cathedral, Bishop
Rademacher officiating. The remains will be
inferred in Mount Calvary cemetery
AT meeting of coored citizens a committee
was appointed to arrange for holding me-
mortal services in honor of Mr. Littleton The
committee will meet at the office of j. G.
Napier, at o'clock tomorrow afternoon,
Today Deputy Coroner Hood empanele
jury and held am inquest.
The first witness examined was CAPTAIN G..
w. Clifford, who arrived late on the scene of
the tragedy. Mr.. S. Waters, Charles Best
Policeman John ilanley, Lee J.. Ayers and
DR., w. S. Nichol were next examined, but
there was very little testimony adduced not
already given.
Charles Best testified that John Cockrill
rented the room from Albert Hawkins on
Monday and paid dollor for it, saying he
wanted it for committee of gentlemen To
meet in for a week. Best also said that he
saw the last shot fired, and that only about halt
the gun barrel was sticking out of the door.
After the shooting John CockriIl put his head
out window and laughed.
Hawkins said: "You knew all about this
to which Coclrill replied: "It is my business.
! did it,"
The Jury rendered the following verdict:
NASHVILLE, December % 1ss7.-We the coroner $
Jury, summoned, do state that from the evidence
before us, Mr.. John J. Litleton came to his death
from gun hotWounds at fine hands OF joseph r
Banks.
SKETCH OF THE DEAD MAN.
Mr.. Littleton was not quite twenty-nn9
years old. AT the age OF twenty-one he began
to practice law at Kingston, but soon left the
bar for journalism, his first venture being the
founding of the Cyclone, a democratic weekly,
al Kingston. In 1882 he moved to Chattanoo-
ga and started the Daily Democrat. There he
remained until 1885, when he came to Nash
willie and established the National Review as
the republican organ of the state. In politics
he remained a democrat until 1884, He left
the democratic state convention that year
When the fifty and three plank on the state
debt was adopted, he announced that he was
no longer a democrat. Since that time he has
been an extreme republican. lie was elected
to the legislature from Davidson county last
fall. AT the time of his death he was secrc-
tary and treasurer of the republican state eX-
ecutiye committee and vice president from
Tennessee of the national republican club. He
was leader of the Blaine forces in Tennessee
until the late New York election, after which
he espoused Sherman as the most available
nominee Of his party for president in 1885
Besides a wife he leaves two children, both
boys, the youngest only four months old.
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