The Hon. James D. Pulley, owned one of the first businesses in Marion and was apparently a strong Southern sympathizer. In 1841, Pulley built “Our House”, a saloon, on the west side of the Public Square. His attempts in 1861 to promote efforts to secede from the Union early on in the Civil War landed him in “hot water” on more than one occasion, including charges of treason. To later save face, Pulley was involved with R.M. Hundley in the raising of the unsuccessful 128th Illinois Infantry.
This post is composed of two articles, the first notes the dismissal of treason charges by a Grand Jury in June 1864. The second article notes an incident in which Pulley takes exception to his name being disparaged and confronts the source, resulting in a shootout in a Marion alley the next month.
Jonesboro Gazette, June 29, 1864
Hon. James D. Pulley, of Marion, who was arrested some weeks since on a charge of treason, has been discharged. The Grand Jury did not consider the charges against him of sufficient importance to even find a bill.
A Shooting Affair in Marion, Jonesboro Gazette, July 13, 1864
A difficulty occurred in Marion, Williamson County, on Thursday between Mr. James D. Pulley, who has lately returned from Springfield where he was on trial for treason, and a Methodist minister named Mace.
The minister had made the remark that Pulley should have been hung, which coming to the ears of the latter, he determined to bring the person to account. He met him in an alley on the day mentioned and a few words passed between them, when Pulley drew his revolver and discharged the five barrels at his antagonist, one shot taking effect in the small of his back.
The minister meanwhile produced a Colt and began shooting at Pulley without, however, doing any harm. During the firing a Mr. Goodall, brother-in-law of Pulley, was struck in the breast by a spent ball, but received no injury. The minister’s wound is considered serious. We have heard of no arrests being made.
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For more information on James D. Pulley, see the post “Civil War Southern Sympathizers”
(Articles reprinted in “Footprints”, a Quarterly publication of the Williamson County Historical Society, Volume 9, #1, 2006; Introductory notes by Sam Lattuca on 12/27/2013)