The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-03-14

Bristol, Tenn. March 12-Cen. James
A. Walkers condition to-day IS FOR the
better. lie rallied early this morning
-ad has rested reasonably we'll His ply
tielauS, DIS Pearson and Vance. think
him out 81 danger. II 10 unforeseen de-
Ne.opments occur. lie is On good condl-
ticH physically ard mentally and is a
man ot wonderful nerve and physical
force
Attorney ". :. Hamilton. who was shot
IN the abdomen by Gen Walker. has
been vomiting almost inccssautly during
the day. being unable 10 retain anything
on his stomach. But by the use OF
heart stimulants hyperdermicaIy admin
lstered his condition had sufficiently i'm
proved tonight 20 enable him to retain a
little frozen champagne. The physician
10 charge. Or. St John, has hopes of his
recovery, but owing 10 the collapsed con-
dition OF his patient he has been unable
10 locate the hall He states that this
would be impossible without laparotomy,
and his present condition would not war
rant that
Both parties appear 10 have been ex-
pecting trouble. 4 Republican asserts
Hamilton made the remark i'm a saloon
In Bristol on Saturday that there would
be he'll in town tonight" This. however.
has not been substantiated.
g. r. Davis, who. ID is asserted, shot
Gen. Walker, Is secretary and stenOg-
rapher for Judge William F. Rhea, and
was one OF the clerks Of election in Bris-
tol in November 1895. The other clerk,
DT. 4. II. Miller. is travelling in Texas
for a patent medicine firm.
a warrant has been issued for Gen.
Walkers arrest. but has not yet been
served, as his physicians will not allow
it. No warrant has been issued for Da-
Wis, Hamilton. or any others present at
the shooting. Davis was about town to-
day as usual lie laughs and jokes with
friends. but refused 10 make any state
ment whatever for publication. The same
is true OF all the Rhea men present at
the shooting.
The excitement subsided considerably
to-day, and no danger Of further trouble
is apparent
How the Shooting Occurred.
Hamilton states that Walker shot him.
but Walker declares ne was shot by Dd-
Wis. Gen. Walkers statement is concur
red in by two eye witnesses. The rumOr
that Walker was shot by Hickman is
wholly without foundation, as from the
positions occupied by the parties such
Thing would be impossible, Hickman be
ing low of stature and on Walkers left,
while Davis is over six feet tall and stood
10 Walkers right.
An army officers Colt revolver, caliber
"A, with six chambers, all loaded,
was taken from Gen. Walker upon his
return TO the st. Lawrence Hotel, also
dirk or dagger about five inches long,
.l.sfaF l.. H..
his friends, Hickman and Calfee, say tnat
these were the only weapons the General
had on him at the Court House during
the shooting.
The fact that Walker was so heavily
armed is justified by his friends by the
allegation that Judge Rhea had drawn
his pistol upon Gen. Walker in an alter
cation upon former occasion about one
month ago. while taking depositions in
this city
Another account Of the difficulty is as
follows: During the quarrel in the court
room Gen. Walker held a Derringer pis-
tol in his hand. Upon resuming his seat
Gen. Walker said that he did not intend
10 proceed further in taking testimony,
unless the contestee would get sober
counsel, and that he wouldn't associate
Win Win a drunken = any longer. Mr.. Ham
o
lie was drunk he was a id liar Gen
w aIker at once pulled his Derrnger ard
shot MIR. Hamilton in the abdomen The
General had apparently been drinking
Mr. Hamilton may have had one or two
drinks, but not more"
sun another version has it that Gen.
walker did no shooting whatever.
Hamilton Not Fighter.
VIII Hamilton, as the attorney shot
by Gen. Walker is generally called has
not been known in Bristol as a fighter.
lie Is ponderous, one citizen, his long
time friend, describing him as ''beefy."
He is about thirty-ive years old and in
cllned TO be Indifferent about his attire. a
conspicuous article of which is often a
big white sOmbrerO. Mr.. Hamilton mar
Tlrd into prominent family OF a neigh
boring Virginia city, and was once Com
monWealth'S Attorney for Washington
county. He has always been regarded as
a Democrat, although in the last cam
paign he was al one time shouting for
Gen: Walker and paraded a poem that
discredltably recounted the events of
khea's political career
Whether lac volunteered his services as
counsel 10 Judge Rhea. who is regarded
with high favor in Bristol because of his
successful canvass and also because ne Is
A'NiA hbNs blFQ anu educated under
the eyes OF BristOrs citizens. is nor nlain.
Out HamlltOn's appearance as Rhea's a.
toTHey has been annoying 10 Gen. Walker.
lie has had "A free and sometimes aim!rss
policy Of examining Witnesses which is
The basis OF several stories in Bristol
one Of has witnesses was Il BauriSr
preacher, 10 whom Hamilton put the Gus
JOmary questions about his time OF seFV-
Ilc
DO you know Mrs. -" the attorney
then asked.
Yes, sir"
Did you ever kiss herg'
No, sir
Then stand aside
This story is told IN Bristol with great
guStO as characteristic OF Attorney Ham
IILOn.
In CTOsS-eXamining Judge Rhea W.T.
uesscs Gen Walker has questioned tnem
Uy The hour, asking. IN some instances,
Go questions. and on many occasions he
las expressed his impatienCe Al HamIl-
TONS methods All this increased the
friction between the TWO men