Clarksville Leaf Chronicle Article Concerning the Death of John W. Wickham  

from:   http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~nightshade/Keeping_the_Peace.html#75

 

November 30,1915--Dr. John W. Wickham, who was shot Monday at Hackberry by Charles Baggett, died at 9:30 this morning in a Nashville hospital, where he was taken last evening in an effort to save his life. His body will be shipped to Palmyra this evening on the train which passe through Clarksville at 8:47, and taken to his home, where the funeral will be conducted by the Masons Wednesday afternoon.
 

Dr. John W. Wickham was born and reared in Montgomery County, was abut 55 years of age, educated in the common schools of the 19th District, and was a graduate of Vanderbilt University. He was the son of Robert Wickham.
 

Charles Baggett who shot Dr. Wickham at Hackberry Monday, came to Clarksville Monday afternoon and gave himself up to Sheriff Welker. Calmly he told Mr. Welker what had happened, stating that he considered the shooting a justifiable one; that Dr. Wickham had a Winchester rifle in his hand and that he ordered the doctor to drop it, and when he did not, fired three times, two shots taking effect in the mouth, the other in the hip. It was at first stated that only two shots took effect., but it was later discovered that instead of one, two took effect in the mouth.
 

The weapon used by Baggett was a 38 caliber Smith & Wesson six-shoot special, with a colt’s grip.
 

When Baggett came to town last evening he brought with him the rifle which, it is said, Dr. Wickham was carrying when shot. Baggett claims to have lost his revolver in a chase through the hills immediately following the shooting.
 

Those who are acquainted with the details are inclined to be nonconversant, and it is with difficult that each additional fact is brought out.
 

Baggett had applied for bail this morning and seemed to be contented in the county jail. He states that he will defend himself and not employ counsel

 

Note by the editor --
 

February 19,1917--After nearly 68 hours of deliberation, the jury was discharged this morning by Judge Tyler without arriving at a verdict. The vote stood 8 for acquittal and 4 for conviction.