Madison County, TNGenWeb

A Robber Shot

On Sunday night last a burglar entered the sleeping apartment of Mr. Robert BROWN, Sr., on Royal street, but was discovered before effecting his purpose. As he fled from the house several shots were fired at him without effect. Before entering the house he had pulled off his shoes and left them at the gate, and so hotly was he pursued that he did not take time to recover them. The shoes were discovered by the pursuers, Messrs. William, Perry and Elisha BROWN, sons of Mr. Robert BROWN, and they resolved to watch and see if the robber would not return. Sure enough, about one o’clock the thief approached stealthily and cautiously, evidently best on recovering his shoes. The young men did not move until the robber picked up the shoes and then they called on him to stand and surrender. But he fled, and as he did so the young men fired several shots at him and gave pursuit. One of the shots took effect in the robber’s hip, and he fell on the bridge at the crossing of Smith and Market streets, where his pursuers overtook and arrested him. He is now in the station house suffering greatly from his wound, which, although serious, is not likely to prove fatal. He is a negro, and gives his name as Aaron WILSON. We understand that he had been in the city but a few days and that he hails from Corinth, Miss. May such a fate overtake all vagrants who thus attempt to live without honest labor. This city is full of them. It seems, and we fear that there is no other protection for the honest citizens against their depredations, save that afforded by watchful eyes and loaded guns.

This item appears later in the issue:

Soon after Mr. BROWN shot the negro Sunday night Mr. COLLINS heard some one in his house, and got up and started to the door with the pistol to shoot the burglar, but he stumbled against a chair and thief decamped.

Source: Jackson Sun, 4 Jun 1875.