The National tribune., 1906-03-08
The Killing Of Tompkins.

The decisive demonstration came in
a most unexpected way. The Seces-
| sionists broke out in eXuberant rejoic-
| ings upon receipt of the news from
Bull Run, and assumed that now their
opponents were demoralized. In real
ity Bull Run only stung them into
sterner determination. The situation
became terribly strained. and any mo-
ment an outbreak might occur which
would deluge the streets with blood.
J. w. Tompkins took this opportunity
to make himself exceedingly offensive
by promenading the public places
shouting for jeff Davis. G. Il. Green,
a Union policeman, ordered him to
cease disturbing the peace, to which
Tompkins replied by drawing a bowie
knife and defying the officer of the law.
Green promptly fired upon and killed
him. The widest excitement followed,
and it seemed that the reign of blood
which Buckner had been threatening
was at hand. The killing was chal-
lenge TO the knights of the Golden Cir
Gle to do their worst, and they started
in viciously. but the sudden array of
Union men in support of Green was so
overwhelming that they were awed into
quiet, and from that moment lost
ground.
Mayor DELPHI began the organization
of Home Guards, with the Marion Ri
lltS DIS d uUCituS, anu SOOi lidu lNO
regiments, with the Mayor as Com
mander-in-Chief and Lowell II. Rous
seau as Brigadier-General. When the
latter determined to raise a regiment
under the Presidents call Gen Jas.
Speed succeeded him in command.
Mayor DELPHI felt himself strong enough
to demand the keys of the State Ar
mory at Louisville from Gen. Buckner,
who reluctantly surrendered them, and
DaInh nrlarai all the State Cna r1S
in the city be disarmed.
The Home Guards became the model
for similar organizations all over the
State, which reduced the State Guards
from their, aggressive Intolerance to a
defensive attitude. The crisis came
when it was decided to send 5000 mus
kets, 100000 cartridges and a supply
of powder and lead to Gen. Nelson for
the use of the troops he was organiz-
ing at Camp Dick Robinson. The arms
and ammunition were first loaded on
the cars at Covington, to be sent to
Lexington, but the train was stopped
by mob in Harrison County, and COM
PEELED to return to Cincinnati, with the
threat that If the attempt was repeated |
the road would be destroyed. Next it !
was tried to send the arms up the Ken |
lucky River. but the boat was stopped
and forced to return. Then the arms |
were sent to Louisville, and shipped |
from there by special train. Gen. Nell
son was notified by telegraph, and he
lost no time in deciding to fight, If |
there was any further interference. He
ordered Gel Thos. E. Bramlette, then
the Sd KY, to go to Lex
ington and receive the arms. which he
was to send on to camp, under guard !
of Wolford's Cavalry. AT Lexington
Col. Bramlette found great excitement.
with the Secessionists, under John
and John H. Morgan,
awful things If the arms
were taken to camp. He also found
Col. Elbert Dudley, with his Home
Guards, quietly preparing for battle.
tried to induce Bramlette
to withdraw, and prevent bloodshed.
but Bramlette replied that he would
not depart without the arms and NUM-
ions, and that if armed rebels appeared
upon the street blood would be she'd
and he would not leave a living Seces-
sionist in Lexington. Bramlette took
mis- arms and ammunition out to camp1
a shot being fired.
Breckenridge and Morgan saw that