The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-02
TWO MORE GO.
An After Effect Of Hamilton's Trial.
John Martin and Gen. Writ Adams
Meet in Deadly Combat.
They Fire at One Another on a
Street in Jackson, Miss.
They Are Successful in Shooting
One Another Dead.
The General Gets Bullet Put Right
Through His Heart.
Mr.. Martin Is Hit Several Times
by His Antagonist.
Mr.. Martin Is Hit Several Times
by His Antagonist.
They Both Die on the Spot In Less
Than Minute.
The Trouble Grew Out OF Aspersions
Cast Upon the Character OF Gen.
Adams and His Testimony in
the Late Hamilton Trial
by Martin In the New
Mississippian.
special Dispatch 70 The Appeal.

Special Dispatch to the Appeal.
jackson, Miss, May la most dis
tressing tragedy occurred here today about
2:l5 O'Clock p. m. Gen. Writ Adams,
postmaster at this place, and one CT the
most distinguished and beloved citizens of
the State, and John II. Martin, editor Of
the Ne,O MSsissippidn, met in deadly COM
bat on President street, near the corner OF
Amite street. Martin had published Gen.
Adams in several personal sqUibs in his
paper for some weeks past, 10 which Cen
Adams paid no attention. The issue of
the Nae MiSisippiaa today contained an.
other and seyerer article against him, and
is supposed 10 be the direct cause Of to-
days tragedy.
They met at the time and place above
stated, Gen. Adams going and Martin
south. Mr. Parrish, who was walking
with Gen. Adams, says that rs they APP
preached each other Gen. Adams accosted
; Martin and said in effect, "You damn ras.
cal, have stood enough from you" and
Martin replied;
'If you don't like it" and, simultane-
ously with the remark, drawing his pistol
he fred and got behind large china
tree on the outer edge Of the pavement,
two and one-hali feet in diameter Gen.
Adams also fred about the same time, but
Parrish, though not certain, thinks that
Martin shot first.
Mr.. Thomas Helm, IT,, who was sitting
at his window just across the street inn
mediately opposite the scene Of the con.
flict some sixty feet distant, says that he
was looking out Of the window south, and
saw Gen. Adams and Parrish coming up
the street. They passed his line Of vision,
and on hearing n shot he looked around
and saw Martin on his knees behind the
tree. lie heard him cry out, and saw him
fire at Gen. Adams and the general walk
ing around the tree TO get at him and firing
at the same time. Martin scrambled to a
little south Of the tree and continued fir
ing. Gen. Adams reached the north side
Of the tree following Martin when he fell.
Both died in less than one minute.
Martin said to those who ilSt reached the
scene; II am dead" and died immedi-
!. aiely. Gen. Adams never spoke.
Gen. Adams had but one wound, and
that was directly through tho heart.
Martin was shot In the right breast, two
inches and thrce-quartcs 10 the left Of the
right nipple, and in the upper part Of the
right leg, breaking the thigh bone. There
was also bullet hole in his hat.
Both men used Colts six.shootcs-
Martin iory-one ealiber and Adams a
forly-fom. All The shells in Martins pis
lol were exploded, and three shells in
Gen. Adams pistol were exploded, and
one gave evidence Of having been snapped
upon, but failed to FIRE. Two Of the shell.
were intact.
The following are the publications which
are supposed TO have led to the difficulty
The Ncg Ni,si0iPpian Of March q, allud
Ing TO the Hamilton trial then In progress
In Brandon, said in effect; Gen. Wiz
Adams, witness for the defense, tesiidet
as TO Hamilion's character The genera
ought to remember that character, lik,
charity, should begin at home"
Again on April 3. "Ncllle Dinkins' les
tmony for the State has been impeached
but shc has this advantage Of Gen. Wir
Adams, a witness for the deiensc-sh,
hover gave certificates and was forced
niter they had been published year, t
admit they were utterly false"
And again. To-day people who do no