Show DEFENDING HIS HOUSE The Verdict of a Tennessee Jury over a Murdered White Man MEMPHIS September 30A terrible tragedy was enacted this afternoon about four miles from this city a Gills Station The particulars are as follows I fol-lows A party of three white men J D Smith W W Eastman and JB Jordan all residents of Memphis took a trip on the dummy line whch runs near Gills Station They were strolling stroll-ing about when Smith seeing a mule in the road remarked that he thought he would take it As he approached the animal Jim Con ley a negro called out to him to let the mule alone at the same time applying epithets Smith and Eastman started towards him Jordan remonstrated against their going but they entered the yard Conley ran into the house and shut the door A second afterwards a shotgun was thrust through the window and discharged The contents struck Eastman in the head killing him instantly Smith ran over to where Eastman was and as he was bending over the dead body the other barrel of the gun was discharged He was struck in the left aIde with several buckshot and is mortally wounded Conley fled after the shooting He has bsen sexton of the Sons of Zions cemetery ceme-tery for fourteen years within the grounds of which the killing occurred The jury at the inquest held over Eastman East-man exonerated Conley who it was proved was defending his house from assault |