The New Hampshire Gazette

Fatal Rencounter in Reynoldsburgh, Tenn.

On the morning of the 1st inst. Mr. Isaac F. Earthman, of Davidson county, who had on the preceding day put up at the tavern of Major M'Cracken, came to the house of Major Lorimier and inquired for him; on Lorimier's being shown to him, he asked him to walk out with him observing that he wanted to have some conversation. After walking about ten steps into the street, they stopped, when Earthman charged Lorimer with having made statements about his father which he said were false, and could not be proved. Lorimier answered that the statements he had made were true, and that he could and would prove them to be so, if he could have time to go or send to the State of Missouri. A dispute of some length ensued, but in moderate terms; at length Mr. Earthman drew a dirk and charged on Lorimier, who defended himself with a large pocket knife he had in his hand; several thrusts were made by each party before any execution was done; at length Lorimier struck Earthman on the front of the left shoulder, giving a deep cut, the knife passing from there through the muscle of the left arm. On receiving the cut Earthman made off and the fight ended; he walked about 80 or 100 yards, and sat down, but immediately became very sick and died in less than ten minutes.

Major Lorimier immediately submitted himself to two justices of the peace for examination, when a number of witnesses were summoned and a full investigation of the case took place which resulted in the discharge of Major Lorimer, the justices of the peace being clearly of opinion, from all the evidence, that Lorimer was entirely justified in the act by self-defence.