Notes:
" Homicide in Claiborne"
James Rogers of Campbell County Killed by John Rogers of Claiborne. Jacksboro, April 27, -- [Chronicle Correspondence.] -- Last Saturday night in Beeler`s Saloon, in Claiborne county, John Rogers of Claiborne county, shot and killed James Rogers of Campbell county. It seems that James Rogers and two of his brother, Dave and Isaac Rogers, had gone up from Campbell county into Claiborne, and while up there happened around at the saloon, and found John Rogers there, and two men with him who were his friends, and while all were there drinking some, all got into a row which resulted as above stated. He only lived about thirty minutes after he was shot. The deceased was a deputy sheriff of Campbell County and was well thought of by all who knew him. He leaves a wife and two or three children to mourn his loss. John Rogers was arrested and placed in jail at Tazewell.
Knoxville Daily Chronicle
Wed., 28 Apr 1886, Vol. XV1, No. (blank)
"The Rogers Tragedy in Claiborne County."
From reliable sources we learn the following in reference to the homicide that occurred in Claiborne county on last Saturday in which James Rogers was killed. James Rogers, David Rogers and Isaac Rogers are engaged in running a steam sawmill, and some time since had a contract to saw a large bill of lumber for a Mr. Sharp, which was to be done by the first of April. They failed to do any of the sawing within the limited time, and Mr. Sharp gave the contract to another mill. When the Rogerses heard of this they supposed that John Rogers had been instrumental in their loss of the job. On last Saturday there was a public sale of property of David Beeler, deceased, at his late residence near Speedwell post office in Powell`s Valley. James, David and Isaac Rogers were there and were drinking. John was at Meyer`s store, some 200 yards away, when the others sent for him saying they wanted to see him. He, in ignorance of their malice or purpose, went to where they were, and on meeting them shook hands first with David and then with James, when David, with an oath, accused him of having caused them to lose the job of sawing, which John denied and proposed to prove that he had nothing to do with it. Whereupon Dave caught him by the throat and James struck him, and in a moment they had him on the ground. John called twice for help. Harvey Meyers, his nephew, and Wm. Losley, his work hand, pulled James off, when Meyers and James became engaged, and Losley returned to free John from Dave, which he did, and Losley and Dave became engaged. Isaac started at John with a knife, who, by this time, was on his knees and had drawn his pistol which he snapped at Isaac while still on his knees, which caused Isaac to fall back and at which time James was advancing, and as quick as thought John shot him, the ball taking effect in the abdomen. James walked a few steps and laid down and died in about thirty minutes. This ended the difficulty. John surrendered to the sheriff, who was on the ground. Losley and Meyers were also under arrest.
The trial was set for Tuesday and C.H. Rogers of Tazewell, a brother of John, and Hon. Jesse L. Rogers, of Dandridge, another brother, were sent for to conduct the defense. The former reached Speedwell Sunday night and the latter Tuesday just after the case was taken up, and upon his own proposition an examination was waived and bail at once given and the defendants discharged. John, James and Dave were cousins. John is 35 years of age and has a wife and six children. James was 37 years and was married, but had no children. He was a man of undoubted courage and was very dangerous when aroused. His father Henderson Rogers, is living at the old Rogers homestead and is 70 years of age. John`s father is also living and is 75 years old. The affair has caused a deep feeling of sadness in both families. Public opinion justifies the killing.
Knoxville Daily Chronicle
Sat., 1 May 1886, Vol. XV1, No.(blank)
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