The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-11-21
IN THE COUNTY COURT HOUSE
Latter Then Attempts to
Take His Own Life.
Differences Over Business
Affairs the Cause.
The Affair Creates the Greatest Ex-
element rs WhitwOrth Is Well
Known-The Dead Chancellor Was
One of the Prominent Figures of
the City and State and Had Re-
Gently Been Reelected.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Nov. 14-Of all
the many tragedies Nashville has expe-
rienced the most appalling was perpe-
trated today. Chancery Court Clerk
George K. Whitworth shot and killed in
stantly Chancellor Andrew Allison in the
upper hallway of the court house in this
city today at about 12:45 p. m. He fired
both barrels of a shotgun loaded with
buckshot and about twenty-five Of the
shot took effect in the breast and side of
the chancellor, who fell near the stairway,
gasped once or twice and died.
Only one man, Joseph H. Acklen, saw
the tragedy. The chancellor had just ad-
journed his court and left the room, en-
tered the hall and was about to descend
the steps. Whitworth, who was in the
hall, said
'Oh, judge and as he turned fiji at
him. Acklen rushed to him and as he
did SO heard two shots behind him. Turn
ing he saw that Whitworth had shot
himself with a pistol After the first
firing Deputy Clerk West ran out from
his room into the hall and saw Whitworth
shoot himself the first time. He called
to him and WhitwOrth told him to stand
off and backed away from him, preparing
to shopt himself again. West grappled
with him, but too late and the second
shot was fired, both taking effect in the
left breast. Whitworth was perfectly cool
and collected during the shooting and also
after the affair and expressed no regrets,
but desired to know if he had killed his
man, stating that no man who had treat
ed him as Allison had done could live in
the same country with him. The body
Of the dead chancellor was removed to
his home and Whitworth was taken to
his. The cOrOner'S verdict was in accord
ance with the above facts
Whitworth is still alive, but is sinking
rapidly and his death is expected before
morning. Further developments show
that the killing was not caused by the
proposed apr ointment by the chancellor
of his son as a clerk succeeding Whit
worth, whose term expires tomorrow.
1t was generally believed during the aft
ernoon that Whitworth killed the chan
cellor because he refused to reappoint
him.
The facts later developed do not sus-
tain this theory. From men familiar with
the transactions between the two it IS
learned that the cause of the tragedy
was the failure of Allison to settle Sc
cure a large sum due from him to Whit
worth for money loaned, said to be about
$25. 900. For some weeks efforts had been
made by Whitworth to secure a settle
ment without success. t1nally arDltr0tOrS
were appointed, Samuel j. Keith, a prom
inent banker, representing Whitworth, and
T NJ. Steger, a leading lawyer, acting for
Allison. For some days they had been
trying to bring about a satisfactory set
Element and today Whitworth was in
formed that they could accomplish moth
ing. The shooting followed. Last Sunday
it was announced that Whitworth would
not succeed himself. and it was feared
that trouble would result Immediately by
some, but as the days passed and moth
ing happened. the entire city was dunn
founded when the news spread abroad
thai the chancellor had been killed by his
clerk
Chancellor Allison was about fifty-twO
years old and had just begun his second
term of eight years, having been re-
elected in August last. George K. Whit
worth was about fOrty-twO years old. had
held several public offices and was an
active democratic politician.