Cal Thomas, who was struck on the head with a stone by Jim Banks, near Dutch post-office, in Grainger county, three weeks ago, died last night at his boarding house on Common Alley.

The quarrel came up over a pocket knife that Banks sold Thomas. Thomas missed the knife and afterwards saw it in Banks possession. He accused Banks of stealing it. The latter denied the charge and Thomas said he could whip Banks in a fair fight, but Banks held to the stone he had picked up when the fuss began. Thomas started into his shack and when his back was turned, Banks hit him on the head with the stone. The skull was crushed from the blow.

Thomas was brought to Knoxville for medical treatment. Banks was not arrested until last Saturday night and remains in the Grainger county jail.

Knoxville Daily Tribune — Thursday, April 30, 1891

Transcribed by Robert McGinnis and used by permission.