The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-06-30
FIRED 4 SHOTS
AT MURDERER
ALL WENT WIDE THE MARK
Rather Than be Locked Up for a
Misdemeanor Lad Kills Po-
liceman Early Last Night
From Daily Comet, Friday 24th

From Daily Comet, Friday 24th
At 1920 o'clock last night Policeman
Walter McPeak was stabbed to death
at the calaboose door by John Green, a
ladof about Is years of age, who was
under arrest and was being locked up
for the night.
Officer McPeak and John Gott, of
Jonesboro, had arrested Green and
Lucy Brockwell, the sixteen year old
daughter of Nelson Brockwell in the
grove on Fulton street, near the Sol
dier's Home. They were drinking and
young Green gave himself up very
grudginly and 80 calibre liver John
son revolver was found on his person,
but it was empty. He made no effort
to get away and came along very
peacefully until the calaboose was
reached Just before the door was
opened by Jailor Rainwater, Green
got out his knife in some manner and
made vicious lunge, striking Nc
Peak just little to the right of the
breast bone and between the first and
second ribs. The knife penetrated the
aorta, the great artery which carries
the blood from the heart to all parts of
the body, and reached the lungs, pos
sibly touching the heart. The wound
was fully two inches long and gaped
nearly as wide.
As soon as he strurk the officer Green
broke away and started up Buffalo
street. McPeak threw his billy at
him and struck him in the back just
as he stumpled over some loose plank.
He dropped his open knife as he al
most fell, but as he strengthened up
again and started around the upper
end of the calaboose McPeall fired at
him and followed him around to the |
back of the building and fired three
more shots al the fleeing prisoner as
ne ran towards Walnut street, but
lone took effect.
McPeak then sank to the ground
md with the statement 81 am killed.
scarcely uttered, he expired,
Cot, who had charge of the girl,
Jaw that she was locked up and talk
ng McPeak's IS revolver, started in pur-
iuit of the murderer but gave up the
,hase and came TO the city to give the
alarm. DR.. Trigg was Immediately
and responded quickly but
lis services were not needed. The
thief of Police had heard the shots and
vas soon on the scene.
The body was taken to the Arm
,rust-Smith-P Parks undertaking estab-
ishment and prepared for burial
Linda Brockwell told the Comet
representative that she knew that
ohm had that knife and that if Nc
'eak hit him he would catch hi.
When asked if McPeal< struck Green
he said he did not and if he had he
would have had her to deal with. She
aid she knew that when they reached
he calaboose that John or McPeak
ne would die. She was partly under
be influence of liquor and seemed
lad that "Johnp he'd made his escape,
nd thought he would not be caught.
John Green is the adopted son of r.. I
;. Green, who lives near the old fair !
round on the Colson property, and
ears an unsavory reputation. He !
as been frequently arrested and re-
emily fired two shots in a night en-
ounter in "potlicker fats" Walter .
TcPeak was about "a years Of age and i
capable officer, having been on the
,rce little over year. He was mar {
ed about two years ago to daugh- i
,r of w. L. Vines, of Jonesboro, who, c
18th little babe, survives. His faith
| and mother and five sisters and I
rothers also live in this city. He I