The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-07
TOM ELLIS SHOT.
A Birmingham Shooting inWhich
Atlanta is lntereS ted.
THE MAN WHO SHOT SCARBOROUGH


tional paper published in Birmingham. comes
to the front again in sensational story.
Ellis is now dying.
Late yesterday afternoon, so kilograms from
the magic city say, Ellis became involved in
a controversy with Detective Sullivan, by
whom he was shot. Sullivan is said to be one
OF the best detectives in the south, and was
with Detective Hawk Scarborough when Buck
alew, the Alabama outlaw, shot Scarborough
several weeks ago. Between Scarborough and
Sullivan there was a warm friendship, and the
shooting yesterday was the result OF that
friendship. A week or two ago, it will be re-
membered, Scarborough had some trouble
with Ellis, during which he
was dangerously shot. The shot
was fired by Ellis and came very near proving
fatal The shooting was at the time the sen
satOn of tho city, and when Ellis Was arrested
it was thought that Scarborough would die.
Later il was aScertained that the detective
had good chances to recover, and then Ellis
was released on bond. After securing his
freedom one of his first acts was to print an
issue Of his paper in which he gave his YER
sion Of the shooting ARRAY. In that story he
cast the entire blame ubOn Detective Scar
borough and made some severe remarks about
the papers which had printed statements not
wholly in his favor.
The Birmingham papers did not uphol
Ellis in the ARRAY and as time passed he be-
an extremely bright boy and can write harsh
things when he tries. His paper was kept
alive with his side Of the question and in some
issues he made remarks not wholly compli-
mentary to Scarborough and the detective
fraternity. The publications angered Detec-
tive Sullivan, who began talking. Ellis heard
the remarks made by the detective and in the
last issue Of the Hornet turned his attention
TO Sullivan. The story a rasping one,
and when Sullivan read it he be-
ito
considered the article libelous, and during the
evening the two mon met, Sullivan was
smarting under the declarations made by
Ellis, and Ellis was thoroughly pleased with
the situation. Whether or not the meeting
was accidental, the kilograms do not say, but
Immediately after the men came together
there was report of a pistol and Ellis tulnbed
over, fatally shot Sullivan was holding in his
hand pistol from which smoke was curling.
The wounded man was taken to his room and
medical aid secured. The wounds were found
to be extremely dangerous, and in the tee-
grams Ellis's death Eas predicted. Sullivan
made no attempt to escape and was placed
under arrest, but later was released under
bond.
Last night THE CONSTITUTION received the
following.
BlRMlNGnAM, Ala, February tom Ellis, editor
of the iloruGt, WINS shot add MORALLY wounded by
Detective sullivan this evening Ellis published
matter in his paper concerning sullivan, which the
latter regarded MS libclpus.
IL
with a daring, reckless disposition. lie is
sharp, hard writer, and has no fear of the con-
sequence when he prints a thing and he will
print anything. Three or four years ago he
began the publication in Birmingham of a
small paper, which he called The Hornet. The
paper soon made Il reputation, and upon pub
LEGATION days was sought after extensively. 1t
was highly sensational, and extremely open in
its statements. Soon after beginning the pub
licntion, Ellis became cnamored OF disrepu-
t,t,1 Ii
ousy. The killing was wired ali over the
country, and the man was placed III
jail. lIlliss father was minister,
with many influential friends and through
Them Ellis escaped the galows or penitentiary
by proving insanity, and going to the asylum.
In some way he secured his release, and re
sumed the publication of the Hornet. He
moved along smoothly until few weeks ago
when lie shot Scarborough
The following special to THE CONSTITUTION
last night, gives the details as they appear in
Birmingham:
Bu,ISGIAM February is ecial Tom Ellis
editor and proprietor OF a sensational weekly paper
called The Hornet" was shot and fatally wounded
at6o'clock this evening The shooiing was done by
Detective \. J. sullivan and is supposed to be
the result Of an article n last weeks issue
of the Hornet About two weeks ago
Ellis shot Detective Hawk scarborough in the back
three ttmcSl inHcting dangerous, but not fatal
wounds. scarborough was employed by Sullivan,
ami the latter sworc out Notwithstanding Ellis and
announced his intention OF prosecuting him 10 the
fullest extent of the law Ellis made bond, and the
next issue of his papcrconaued aSevcrc attack on
sullivan character. Almost every epithet in the
English language was applied 10 him, lie aNde
nounccd rs a coward, perjurcr sand was charged
with having concealed stolen ARTICLES in negroes
house in order tot }nyict him of theft
sullivan was out of the city when the article ap-
reared and did not return until last night When
he read the n 'ticc he said nothing, hut those who
knew HIM eXpe ted tronhle Ellis had been warned
Tint he was in danger Today tie Hornet came
out nndH again contained some illusions to sullivan
mumaing that he could not dispore the charges