Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1890 — A SHOT FOR A PULL. [ARTICLE]

A SHOT FOR A PULL.

A Tragedy at Washington—An Kx-Con-Cress naan Shot by a Correspondent. In the corridor of the House at Washington, shortly before two o’clock Friday afternoon, ex-Congressman Taulbee was shot through the head by Charles Kincaid, correspondent of the Louisville Times. Both men are Kentuckians, ond the trouble was caused by the ex-Congressman pulling the correspondent’s nose sos publishing certain statements in regard to him. The shooting occurred just outside the Capitol near the southeastern entrance to th* building. Taulbee was shot in the head, and his is a very dangerous wound. A call of the House had just been ordered shortly after noon on the 28th, when the two men met for the first time since the trouble between them originated. Kincaid hadsent in hiseard to see a Kentucky member of Congress and was waiting at the east door leading to the floor of Hhe House. It is from this door that the cards of all ladies are sent into the House, the ladies’ reception-room being across the corridor. There is always a large crowd of people about the corridor. Taulbee came out of the House while Kincaid was standing in the outer door wav, and, walk* ing up to him. said a few words in an undertone undistinguishable to the doorkeeper, only two or three feet away. It is said the lie was passed. The doorkeeper, who was in the act of closing the doors, as is customary on a call of the House, then noticed Taulbee, who is larger framed and muscular, grab Kincaid by the lapel of the coat, and with a strong grasp, hold him while he'said. “Kincaid, come out into the corridor with me.” The reports Which flew about the capital statod that the exCongressman had pulled the correspondent’s nose, or ear, but the doorkeeper who was standing there denies this. Kincaid is a small and slightly-built man, suffering from illness and some nervous ailment. His reply to Taulbee’s invitation to come out into the corridor was: “I am in no condition for a physical contest with you; I am unarmed.” All this time the doorkeeper was vainly endeavoring to get the men out of the way so that the doors might be closed, but was prevented by Taulbee, who declared that he had a right to enter. Taulbee and Kincaid then went their ways, tho former into the house, and the latter, it is supposed, after a pistol, for, as ho stated, ho had none at the time. '*

This quarrel was not generally known even to the intimate friends of the two ; men, when, at about 1:30 o’clock, members and friends dining in the restaurant, wore j startled by the sharp report of a pistol fired j very pear the private room attached to the ! restaurant. They rushed out breathlessly | while other persons came tumbling down the stairway, and soon there was an excited crowd surrounding a man holding his head from which the blood was gushing m steady stream, while another man was' sxclaiming that ho had done tho shooting. ! The bullet was fired at a range not the ; length of a man’s arm. Taulbee, after spending some time in tho house, had come out and was decending the eastorn marblo stairway leading from tho main to the lower floor of the building. He passed Kincaid on his way and the latter came after him. This stairway is lighted only by one small window, and is dark and gloomy. At the time the affair occurred j there were many people passing up and down. Taulboo had nearly reached the bottom, when he felt a sharp tap on his : shoulder. He wheeled quickly around, and as he did so, Kincaid, who had touched ; him from bohind, fired without a word of | warning, the bullet entering on tho right , side of the right eye. The wounded man almost sank to the floor, but rallied instant ly and staggered down the few remaining steps to the landing, whero ho was quickly surrounded by a throng, some of whom recognized him. : —- Congressman Yoder, a physician, as well as a politician, and Dr. Clarence Adams, a young practitioner, were near at hand. Under their guidance the wounded man was removed to the room of the Committee on Public Building-1 and Grounds, where he was made comfortable on a lounge until he could be removed to his homo. Kincaid did not endeavor to escape, but walked into the crowd surrounding the wounded man, excitedly exclaiming: “I did it, lam the man who did the shooting. ” Officer Bryan, of the Capitol police, caught hold of him after he heard these words uttered, and Kincaid was taken to the New Jersey avenue station, whero ho sits dejected, a physical wreck from nervous prostration, and rocking to and fro, while low moans come from his lips. Mr. Carlisle and other Kentucky politicians called upon the wounded man soon after the shooting. The bullet entered a little below and just to tho right of the left eye. It is believed that it then wept around the side of the face aiid lodged behind the right ear. No paralysis has sr t in, so there is good reason to believe tba* neither the spinal column nor the brain has been affected. Friends of the injured man say the wound may be a facial one, which will not have a serious result. Tho wound is a very serious one, but may not prove fatal. Kincaid says Taulbee has been hounding him for more than a year past and has several times insulted him. lie circulated stories that lie was a coward and afraid to meet him (Taulbee), These reports in his nervous state so overwrought him that he hardly knew what he was doing. He also understood that Taulbee had threatened him with violence. On the 28th ho assaulted him and pulled his nose and ear and this was more than he could endure. - Kinchid is a slight built, inoffensive look ing man Of about thirty-five years of uge. He was formerly a judge in one of the Louisville eburts, and his family is one Of the best known in Kentucky. He has a wide acquaintance in social circles here, and has spent a considerable of his time in attending receptions, parties aud other so* ~ ciety events. „ Taulbee is thirty-nine years old, of tall figure, with a frame j siuowy and strong, out lean. He soon be came known in tho house, as a ready talker, and was more fre quently on his feet i.u|an aay other young member. He had an immensely powerful voice,; rd in the ta pult wlfich sometimes occurred in the house it could always be heard above the dip. His home is Say lor, '* viife, Ky.