Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-03-13
RArLIrF-JAcKsoN TRAGEDY.
The Version Given by Mr.. RatIin-s own
Paper.

Paper.
One of the most unfortunate TRACE
dies in the annals of our county histo-
ry occurred at the court house in Kos
ciusko on last Saturday about noon,
which resulted in the killing of S. a.
jackson. Sam Russell and the wound
ing of Will Sanders.
This unfortunate occurrence grew
out of a newspaper controversy be-
tween w. 2. Ratliff, the editor of this
paper, and S. \. Jackson. druggist of
this place. During the recent sitting
of the legislature, of which they were
both members, in letter to his paper,
Mr.. Ratlff. in "a spirit of levity, stated
that Mr.. jackson had voted for a man
for the u. S. Senate whose views coin
cided with the Populites. This was
followed by the publication in the
Star of Feb %, OF bitter reply from
Mr. jackson, calling Mr.. Ratliff vii
lain" and an 'infernal damned liar"
They met in the court house near
the Sheriff's office where stock of at
tached goods were being auctioned off
for the first time since the appearance
of Mr.. Jacksons card of denunciation.
They clinched but were soon separated.
Eye witnesses say that Ratliff got Jack
son down and after they were parted
Jackson drew his revolver and attempt
ed to shoot. Following this, Ratliff
got his pistol out, but was showed out
at the South door of the court house
by the officers. Jackson then shot out
the door at Ratliff, who was in custody
of the Sheriff, and then Ratliff return
ed the fire. The door was then closed
between them. Sheriff Love and dep
uty A. N. Love took Ratliff by each
arm and were carrying him away,
prisoner, from the scene, when Jack
son pulled loose from his captors and
went out at the West door of the court
house and rapidly pursued and advanc-
ed upon Ratliff, while in the custody
of the Sheriff, and whose back was
turned to him. jackson hollered to
the Sheriff to look out, and began
shooting. The deputy sheriff started
toward him, but had to fall down to
keep from getting shot by Jackson.
The sheriff turned Ratliff loose at this
iuncture and got out of the way. Rat
lift stood facing jackson. AS Jackson
approached he fred the first shot at
Ratlif. and while shooting his second
fire, Ratliff returned the fatal shot.
The prevailing opinion is that four
shots were fired after Jackson came
out of the court house, two from each
party. One ball grazed Jackson's arm,
the other going through his head.
Jackson looked to be very much eXcit-
ed, which, perhaps, accounts for Rat
lift not being touched. They were in
about or feet of each other when
jackson fell. Ratlif is said to have
kept remarkably cool, and was very
deliberate in his aim, standing his
ground while jackson was advancing
on and shooting at him.
The shooting of Russell and Sanders
was purely accidental.
Both parties were very popular and
their friends alike mourn over the I'M
fortunate occurrence.
Mr.. Ratliff has no connection with
this article.-1He Alliance Tindicator.
March 9th.
Two indictments were returned
against Editor Ratliff Wednesday, one
for murder and one for manslaughtor,
both for the killing of Jackson. He
was arraigned and plead not guilty and
the case is set for trial next Thursday.
both sides having declared themselves
ready.