Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-03-16
General Walker, the Old Confederate
Hero,
RECEIVES TWO DANGEROUS WOUNDS
In the Right ShouIder-W. S. Hamilton,
Judge Rhea's Attorney, is Shot in
the Stomach-Both Men Will PrOba
bly, Recover.

u terrible affair occurred in Bristol, Va,
Saturday night. Gen. James A. Walker
was shot twice in the right shoulder and
Wm. 5. Hamilton once in the abdomen,
The shooting occurred about clock, in
the jury room of the Bristol, Va, court
house, where Judge VIM. f. Rhea, Con-
gresham elect flom the Ninth Virginia
district, was taking dispositions in the
Walker-Rhea contest case. There were
present Gen Walker, r. NJ. Calfee, of Pu-
laski, Va, who is stenographer for Gen.
Walker in this case, and Albert K. Hick-
man, of Bristol, these being all OF Wal
ker men present. The Rhea people there
were the Judge himself, his attorney W..
S. Hamilton, his notary VIM. H. Price,
his witness Geo. U. Steiner, his secretary
Geo. Z. Davis, and his friend Carol c..
Kidd Judge Rhea's people state that
James A. Stone, clerk of the corporation
court of the city of Bristol, Va, and Mil
ton b. G. Owen, friend Of Rhea were also
present and witnessed the proceedings.
Gen. Walkers side state that the latter
two came into the room just at time Of, or
little after shooting occurred, but were not
there before.
Tx conflicting reports as given by both
sides render it exceedingly difficult to ar
rive at the exact facts in the case. We
therefore give the statements of both fac
tions, as near as possible, but disclaim the
exact accuracy and details Of either, and
will leave that for the courts 10 decide.
The fact that it is human to err, and
the equally true trait of partality towards
the party with whom one sides, gives
more or less color, of course. to that side
when statements are made. a reasonable
degree Of allowance should, therefore, be
made for this natural weakness of all men,.
VERSION OF RHEA's SIDE.
The following is taken from Sundays
Bristol Tribune, the recognized partisan
organ of Judge Rbea, and is presumed to
be his contention of the affair. The News,
after making industrious efforts, without
avail, to obtain further facts in regard to
the case, all Of the Rhea people refusing to
make any statement whatever, gives 1t for
what it is worth:
''The taking of dispositions was resumed
promptly at 7:30 p. m., with the above
nSSel gentlemen present. General Wal
ker resumed cross. examination Of witness
(Geo. L. Steffner). He and Attorney w.
s. Hamilton had some difficulty few
minutes before the shooting occurred and
some sharp words had passed between
them. During this General Walker had
drawn a single barrel derringer, forty-one
caliber, and held it in his hand as if to con-
ceal it under bis coat tail. During this de-
monstraton, Mr.. Calfee and Mr.. Davis
had grabbed General Walker and were
holding him and Mr.. Stone and Mr., Stef-
ner had hold Of W. s. Hamilton.
General Walker made the remark, not
seeming to address it to any one particu-
lar, that if they would get sober man
there as counsel he would resume the eX-
animation of the witness, but that he did
not porpose to do so with that d-n drunk
en- (using the unmentionable name,) any
longer
"Mr. Hamilton said that if he meant to
apply that language to him that he (Wal-
kerr was a d--n liar. At this moment
General Walker rose from his seat and
drawing derringer fired at w, S. Hamil-
ton without saying another word, striking
him about two inches above the naval.
Hamilton was seated and was on the op-
posite side of the room from Walker and
was Just in the act of getting up out Of his
chair when he was shot, and he immedi-
ately rose to his feet and Strengthened up.
At this point the commoton became very
great in this small room. Walker dropped
his derringer on the table and immediate
ly took to flight with his friends, r. NJ.
Calfee and \. r. Hickman following in
quick pursuit.
"During the great commotion and con-
fusion that followed, two other shots were
fired by an unknown person, and General
Walker was wounded in the right shoulder
and breast, both shots taking effect.
"The only other pistol that was seen in
the room was in the hands of A. R. Hick-
man.
"Report and rumor has it that A. R.
Hickman was the person who fired the
shots that took effect in General Walkers
shoulder.
"There is also another rumor to the ef-
feet that George f. Davis did the shooting
which inflicted the wounds on General
Walker. So far as could be learned no one
saw Davis with any pistol and Davis posi-
lively denies having any pistol or that he
did any shooting.
'sW. S. Hamilton was unarmed and af-
fer he was shot walked into the court
room and from there to the clerks office,
where he was seated for few moments
and then laid down on the tloor.''
VERSION OF WALKERS SIDE.
Gen. Walkers side is given about as fol-
lows, but we disclaim absolute accuracy in
every detail, but the substance is this; After
first AHculty had subsidized, Mr.. Calfee
urged adjournment of taking dispositions.
This was objected to by Judge Rhea, who
L. -. -, Co,,nrnl INnlL-nr insisted