New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-13
SHOT HIS OWN COLONEL.
TRAGIC ELIMINATION OF THE FOURTH
KENTUCKYS TROUBLES
THE WOUNDED MAN rs CONGRESSMAN coll
sON-HIs AssAILANT a NEPHEW OF
GOVERNOR BRADLEY.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE J

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBuNE.I
Lexington. Ky. Feb. 12.-Telegrams received
here tonight from Admission. Ala. say that
Colonel David G.. Colson Of the ith Kentucky
also Congressman from the XIth Kentucky Dis
trict, has been shot and seriously wounded by
one OF his lieutenants Ethelbert d. Scott.
nephew Of Governor Bradley. The shooting oc-
Cured in restaurant about o'clock this
morning.
Lieutenant Scott and two friends. Lieutenants
Marion WilhOit and f. l.. Plakeman were seated
at table when the Colonel entered and sat
down at the same table Lieutenant Brakeman
Immediately began cursing him because he had
tried to keep the regiment from being mustered
out. Colonel ColsOn jumped 10 his feet. ana
grabbing Brakeman by the ear gave ii a severe
pull. lieutenant Scott drew his pistol and fred
/ twice at the Colonel Colson fell. and as Scott
was in the act Of shooting the third time Lieu
tenant Wilhoit grabbed his arm.
Two provost guards who were In the restau-
rant seized Colonel Colson he attempted to
rise, and dubbed him into insensibility. cutting
the scalp in many places. and. 1t is feared
fracturing his skull One OF Scotts bullets went
wide. The other struck the Colonel In the right
side, nnctng a serious wound.
The Colonel was taken to his hotel. where he is
resting easy tonight but his physician fears the
result Of the wounds on his head. Lieutenant
Scott and the provost guards who assaulted the
Colonel were placed in the Annston Jail by the
civil authorities
The 4th Kentucky was mustered out yester-
day. Colonel Colson wrote on Lieutenant SCOTS
discharge. Not honest nor faithful. and charac-
ter bad" Scott refused to accept the discharge
As Colonel Colson will not be discharged for
sixty days Lieutenant Scotts offence comes
within military law. under which the penalty
for assaulting a superior officer may be death.
The trouble between Colson and Scott began
when the regiment was being mobilized here last
summer. Scott the fourth nephew that
Governor Bradley had placed in tho regiment as
commissioned officer He did not take kindly
to Colonel COlson. and there was friction be-
tween the lieutenant and the colonel before the
former he'd been ir the regiment week. The
W-feelng continued 70 grow, and Colonel Col
son had Scott tried twice by courtmartial for
alleged infractlons of regulations. He was not
convicted.
Then Colson had him appear before an effi-
cheney board and it recommended that SCOTT De
dismissed from the service. Scott went 70
Washington and laid the troubles OF the 4th
Kentucky before the War Department. Scott is
bright young lawyer ard he convinced the
Department that his brother officers were op-
posed to Colonel Colsons methods. and that the
men were anxious TO return to their homes 50
| Il was decided to muster out the regiment
This pleased the men. and they ordered but
tons with Lieutenant Scotts picture on them
They wore these buttons In the presence or
Colonel COlson. This seemed TO infur late him.
and he attacked Scott in the columns OF the An
riston papers, describing him as a "barroom
bum" Scott reDed. denOuncing Coson as IN
competent and as having misused public money.
Scott has many friends here who are alarmed
over his predicament. as they fear he VIII be
shot by order OF a court martial.