The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1902-04-25

Constable Thos. ]. Michael for serv-
ice. In going to Bessie, which is
about ten miles from Tiptonville
and FIVE from this place, his way
lead by the home OF Mr.. Cook. On
his Journey to Bessie he passed Mr..
Cooks unmolested, but in the
meantime his mission was waited
to Mr. Cook ears while he stood
listening to a conversation over the
phone; and as Mr. Dunning came
back he was ready for one OF the
most heartrending and sorrowful
deeds imaginable. He stated IN
his evidence that Dunning returned
salutation from him, and imme-
diately refined his horse to his gate
and angrily asked if school would
keep Monday, and being answered
in tile affirmative replied he had
enough of the school business, and
said Cd d-n you, | will kill you
and her too, and thrust his hand
into his bosom, Whereupon he
reached through an open door and
got his gun and shot him three
times. In substance that is the
slayer's story.
Notwithstanding this statement,
Mr.. Michael, who happened to be
only a short distance from the trag-
ical scene, swore very positively
that Mr.. Cunning was never out of
his sight and that he saw him fall
before he heard the first report of
the gun, and that the horse, rider
less, plunged into the recess in
front of Cooks house and came
back, meeting him. He stated fur
Their that one shot was fired after
the dead body fell to the ground.
Mr.. Michael stated that from his
position at the time the shooting
occurred that man could not be
seen on foot or horse back at Mr..
Cooks gate; this was corroborated
by some of the best citizens of that
part of the county. The whole
story of Michael was corroborated
by one ]. H. Tarver, who was in
the buggy with Michael. Shot in
the fence opposite the head OF the
dead man shows the truth of Mi
chael's statement concerning the
shot fred after the falling OF the
body. A coroner's jury was em-
panneled by Esq, Potter, of Bessie,
and it decided that X. S. Dunning
met his death from the shot OF a
gun IN the hands of J. N. Cook.
Squire Dnnning Immediately asked
Squire Potter to write a warrant
for Cook, charging him with muir
der in the first degree. Sheriff
Walter D1lland, of Tiptonville, ac-
companied by Deputy Sheriff Swa-
ney Bunus appeared on the scene
and took charge of the prisoner and
brought him to Tiptonville. He
had a preliminary hearing, which
lasted from Tuesday noon till P.
m. Wednesday. The trial attract
ed great crowds. and all expressed
great sorrow for the seriousness of
the affair.
Squire Lambert, assisted by G.
w. Wynn heard the case, and J. I.
Burnett appeared as counsel tor the
defendant and Fred. J. Caldwell
represented the State Mr.. Cald-
we'll delivered one of the ablest and
most eloquent addresses ever heard
in Tiptonville. The justice dis
charged the prisoner.
Both mem had a number OF
friends. MIR. Dunning had the en-
tire confidence of all who knew
him. He was elected constable in
1898 and again in 1000, the last
time by almost clear sweep, and
on the statement that he would
serve if elected. He was we'll
known and was fearless in the exc
cutaon of his. duty. He was a gem
tleman in the broadcast sense. He
leaves a wife and six small cl5l-
dren, a superapuated father and
mother, one brother and one sister
besides a Mum berless host of warm
and true friends to n1onrn his loss,
which all admit is heavy one. He
was about Is or 40 years of age.
May we AL be prepared to meet
him in the band of eternal bliss and
everlasting day, where we may, as
/ ~ IL oo.,,,I l,Dc+ Cf Gods da9 :