Several Persons Fatally Shot at Knxoville (1891)
Knoxville (Tenn.), May 11 – The details of a murderous affray which occurred on Wolf Creek, near the north Carolina line, have been received here.
Jonathan BELL, an old and well-to-do man, lost his wife by death six weeks ago. After two weeks he married a girl 17 years old, greatly to the disgust of his family. As time passed they grew more dissatisfied, and finally they went in a body to the old man’s home, and taking the young wife out, stripped her and gave her 100 lashes.
On the following day, on the complaint of the elder BELL and one John BALLEW, the whippers were arrested, but released on bonds. Then they went to BALLEW’s house to punish him for interferring. BALLEW resisted, and in the battle which followed John BELL was killed. “Big” and “Wild Bill” BELL, Hiram MORTON, Jack JOHNSON and three others were fatally shot.
JOHNSON and “Big” BELL have since died, and it is said that others are dying. There have been no arrests. Both sides are armed for more warfare.
Source: Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 81, Number 68, 12 May 1891. Available at the California Digital Newspaper Collection. <http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc>