Little - John - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

John Little, who was killed by Campbell at Alamo last week was a member of the 9th Indiana Battery.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 21 Aug 1873 p 1

A shocking tragedy occurred on the evening of the 18th, resulting in the death of John Little, a citizen of that place, at the hands of John Campbell, another citizen. Campbell was arrested and brought to this place and lodge in jail to await a preliminary examination. The examination was commenced before esquire Canine last Tuesday and is still in progress, Prosec Pierce and Messrs Kennedy & Bruth for the state and MD White and DW Voorhees for the defense. The case has not been concluded at the time we go to press. The evidence for the state shows substantially the following facts: Campbell was in Alamo on Wed the 13th inst.  He met Little, the deceased and denounced him for being a Union soldier; said the Union soldiers were all cowards that he (Campbell) was a rebel at heart and had always been. Afterward, he and Little talked about lighting, and did enter into a little contest but apparently made friends with each other and Little then went to his father-in-law’s. Campbell afterward went to where Little was, without any very well defined purpose but threatening to whip or kill someone.  On the way he took out his knife, opened it and put it in his waistband or side pocket. Arriving at old Mr. Fishero’s Little father-in-law, he called to young Fishero to come out, saying he wished to whip him. Young F. told him to go away and behave himself, remarking that they had had trouble enough. A married daughter of Mr. Fishero’s also interfered to get Campbell away. Little, hearing the confusion outdoors came out much excited, took a stone from Sam Fishero and started toward Campbell.  Campbell told him to stop and immediately struck him with a stone. Little then threw a stone at Campbell, missing him. The two then clinched and Campbell commenced using his knife, inflicting several wounds, all of which were fatal. At this point, Fishero struck Campbell with a rock on the head and Little and Campbell feell to the ground. Little got up, took out his knife and opening it, walked away from Campbell and soon fell and died. At the time of the first fight, Campbell had his open knife concealed in his clothing. This is substantially the proof on the part of the state. It may be varied by the defendant’s witnesses.

The following is the Review’s account of the affair.  Last Wed evening a difficulty occurred at Alamo, this county between John Campbell and John Little, which resulted in the death of the latter at the hands of the former. SO far as we have been able to gather the facts last Wed afternoon Campbell, who was intoxicated drove to Ckar’s drug store and asked Little who was under the influence of liquor, to ride with him, which he declined doing. The two then engaged in a scuffle during which Campbell’s shirt and Little’s pataloons were torn. In the evening Campbell went to Fishero’s hotel where Little was and showed a disposition to quarrel with some person first we believe, with a young Fishero a brother-in-law of Little . When Little made his appearance Campbell threw a stone and struck him in the face. Little then threw a stone at Campbell, but missed him when the two clinched, Little with a wagon spike in his hand and Campbell with a pocket knife with a blade about 3” long. While clinched Campbell cut Little three times with the knife, once in the pit of the stomach and twice in the left breast. One or both of the two last cuts are supposed to have entered the heart or severed a main artery.  During the fight Campbell was struck twice on the head with a stone by Fishero which probably had some thing to do with stopping the murderous affray. After Little was cut he said to Mr. Elmore, “Man, I want peace,” walked a few steps, fell and died in a few minutes.  Mr. Little was about 40 years of age, married and the father of six or seven children. Mr. Campbell is about 35 years old married and was two children. He appeared to regret the deed very much; says he did not do it; that another man committed the deed, but he will hang rather than inform on him. The affray was wintess by about 50 persons.

PS Since writing the above we had a conversation with Mr. Campbell at the jail. He said he had no recollection of any difficulty with Little; he was drunk and when under the influence of liquor is crazy; he has tried to stop drinking but his good resolves always failed; he regarded Little as his best friend, never had a difficulty of any kind with him; has frequently traded with him; traded with him last Sunday, after killing Little he went home and went to bed; he was made acquainted with what he had done when he was arrested at the time Dr. French dressed the wounds on his head, he thinks about 2 a.m., that morning, he has been told that when he went to the taver Geo’ Fishero’s sister took him by the arm and led him up the street about 50 yards when Goerge Fishero and Little followed him, but was not told whether he was struck with a stone before or while fighting with Little; he thinks Little was drunk, if he was not he would not have noticed him.  In regard to the report that he took off his shirt and greased himself for a fight, he has no recollection of doing so, but on several occasions he has torn his shirt of while drunk.  He appears much concerned, inquired of public sentiment in regard to the matter, the day appeared a week long; he would give the world, if possible, to place John where he was the day previous; he expressed a desire for a preliminary examination, hoping to be admitted to bail, as that he could attend to affairs at home. He said it was his intention to employ DW Voorhees and MD White as counsel.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Thursday 19 February 1874