The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-03-01
FIRED WITH
FATAL EFFECT.
Constable Vaughn Killed
at Mt. Pleasant.
SAM MASSEY PLACED IN JAIL,
Charged With the Killlng-Confict-
ing Statements in Regard to the
Matter Both Sides of the Question


WalterVaughn. constable in the Thir-
teenth district, is dead, and Sam Mas
sey, a white man, is in jail at this place,
charged with the killing.
The difficulty between the two men
occurred Monday afternoon about D
o'clock in Rosenthal's saloon at Mt.
Pleasant. As usual in such cases, there
are a number of conflicting reports.
The one, however, that seems to be most
generally credited at Mt. Pleasant is
that Massey was the aggressor in the
difficulty. and that the shooting was un-
provoked.
Massey, it is said, made an attack
upon Vaughn, who drew his pistol in
self-defense. Then, so the story goes,
while Vaughn had his back turned,
Massey sprang upon him, wrenched the
pistol from his hand and fired, the bullet
entering in the back of Vaughn's neck
and ranging upwards into the brain.
Vaughn died at 3 o'clock Tuesday morn.
ing
Several hours previous to the killing
the men are said to have met in Rosen-
thal's saloon, where they came near
having difficulty. The. separated,
however, and it was thought that the
matter would be allowed to blow over.
Soon after the shooting Massey was
arrested and placed in the city lookup,
but it was thought better to remove him
to safer quarters. About o'clock Dep
uty Sheriff Harder brought him to Co.
lumbia and gave him cell in the county
Jail.
Immediately after the killing much
excitement prevailed in Mt. Pleasant,
and there was some talk of lynching.
This, however, soon blew over, although
there is still good deal of feeling
against Massey.
Vaughn was the son of Mr.. g. @.
Vaughn of this county; he was un-
married and in the twenty eighth year of
his age. He was we'll thought of, and
it is said that he was not of a quarrel
some nature.
Massey is about twenty-five years of
age. and is the son of Bill Massey, who
lives at Friersontown, about mile from
Mt. Pleasant. He bears rather bad
reputation, and is said to be desperate
character.
Vaughn's Dying Declaration.
After he was shot, Mr.. Vaughn stated
| in the presence and hearing of several
witne, ses, that Massey did the shooting;
and this statement is confirmed by the
bar tender, who witnessed the shooting,
and also by the fact that officers Frlel
and Russell when they arrived upon the
scene, found the pistol in Massey g
possession and took it from him
The HERALD representative Is also
reliably Informed that Massey was ar
rested and under ii dictment in Giles
county before going to Mt. Pleasant,
charged either with murder or assault
to commit murder, but was not con,
victed; and that while in confinement
be broke Jail twice, showing himself
rather an expert at the business.
Boggan's Statement.
r. l.. Boggan, bar tender at Rosen-
thal's saloon, was an eyewitness to the
killing, and in conversation with
HERALD representative at Mt. Pleasant
to-day, made the following statement:
About four O'Clock in the afternoon
Massey and Vaughn met in the saloon
The former addressed the latter, using a
vile epithet. Thereupon a scrap ensued
with the result that Vaughn pulled his
gun and hit at Massey with the weapon
The force of the blow caused the plstoo
to fall to the floor, and Officer Russel
picked it up. Russell then induced
Massey to leave the saloon, and Vaughn
went away voluntarily, both gong II
different directions.
About half an hour afterward
Vaughn returned to Rosenthars ant
ordered a glass of beer. While he was
standing at the bar Massey and com
panion entered the room. His com
panion took position behind Vaughn
and Massey placed himself in front o
him. Massey then grasped Vaughn
arm and pulled him through a side
door into the backyard. Boggan I'M
me6iately afterwards heard Masse.
curse Vaughn in very strong language
and went to the door and asked the mel
to come inside ana stop their row. Whel
Boggan opened the door he saw Naughl
standing with his right hand IN hl
hin pocket. Suddenly Massey graspeC
Vaughn arm and lerked The
hand in Nhich he held his pistol out
his pocket. He then wrested the plsto
out of Vaughan's hand, and at thl
juncture Boggan caught hold of Masse
to prevent him from d ling any harm1 harm
and Vaughn turned to run. Whll
Boggan had hold of him, Massey raise
the pistol and fired at Vaughn, with tn
result as above mentioned.
Boggan continued to hold Massey
who. however, managed TO pull himsel
through the doorway, over the prostrat
form of Vaughn, and into the store
Massey tried to get loose, but Bogga
succeeded in holding him until the al
rival of officers Friel and Russell, VIII
found Massey still grasping the pisto
and took it away from him.
Massey's Statement
Massey was seen in his cell Tuesda
lby a HERALD reporter, and asked
he had any statement to make to IN
public. He seemed very willing 70 tall
saving that he wished the people
know the facts in regard to the matter.
Massey's statement Of the affair di