Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-11-15
A Melancholy Event-Homicid Idle.

A Melancholy Event-Honiicide.
An event occurred on Wednesday morning last,
between aud o'clock, which created considerable
sensation in the community, and which caused
the death of Mr.. Wiley P. Keith, citizen of this
place, from a wound inflicted by Nicholas Carr
The person to whom the deed is attributed is also
citizen of this city, and an officer of the law,
having served for some time past in the capacity
of Constable, and has always been looked upon
as orderly and quiet
| The scene of the transaction on 5th, be-
tween Hanover and Brunswick Streets, or the line
dividing the premises of Mr.. Keith and those OF
Mr. Carr. After the occurrence of the event al
luded to above Mr.. Carr proceeded to the Court
House and delivered himself up to the Sheriff.
An investigation of the entered into
| before Justice Shackelford at 10 O'Clock, A. NJ,
and the following dispositions made by the re-
spective witnesses which will be found to contain
! all the facts of the 1t appears that there
| had been some dispute between the deceased and
Mr.. Carr in regard to fence dividing their re-
spective promises which ultimately led to the diff
Guilty between them, resulting in the death Of MI
Keith:
| TESTIMONY IsHNE;. +. KEITH, BROTHER OF THE
DECEASED.
| l was present on the morning of the 14th inst,
| upon the premises of Wiley p Keith, who was in
the act Of knocking down fence between his own
premises and those of Nicholas Carr Carr then
came out on the piazza in of his own dwelling
| and requested Wiley P. Keith not to knock down
the fence, threatening that if he continued to do
so, that he, Carr, would shoot him. Wiley P.
Keith then replied that he was on his own premi
se5. and would do as he please Carr then went
back into his own house, and came out bearing
pistol i'll his hand, and advanced towards Keith i'll
a threatening attitude, whereupon I$got between
them. Wiley P Keith, having in his hands axe
with which he had been engaged in knocking
down the fence, seeing Carr approaching, desis-
ted from bis work. and holding the axe in his hands
apparently ready to STRIKE requested Carr to go
back on his premises. At this moment saw
Carr sta9ger as if struck by biow and saw blood
upon his face, but did not Keith strike the
blow. Carr recovering, continued to walk around,
still keeping, much possible, between them
in accordance with Cars movements released
my hold Of the axe, still keeping my eyes on Carr,
who soon fired, and the ball from his pistol enter
ing the head Of Keith, caused his instantane Gus
death. was between them at that time, but not
sufficiently to the body of Keith from
Carrs aim. The spot where tho action occurred
was from between six and ten feet from Carrs
house.
After the inyestg alton had proceeded thus far
motion made by the counsel for the State to
postpone further investigation until O'Clock ?.
NJ, which was granted.
At p. NJ the investigation was continued and
on being re-eXamincd and examined, the
above witness asserted what he deposed in the
morning with this difference, however: Before
the defendant staggered he snapped the pistol at
the deceased, it failing to discharge. When the
pistol snapped, the deceased and the defendant
We're about three PAGES apart. lin reply to ques-
ton by counsel for defense,1 did not say this
ming that the deceased had the axe raised as
the defendant retreating towards his own
premises.
TESTIMONY OF MRS. FANNIE p. KEITH, WIFE OF THE
DECEASED.
On the morning of the 14th inst, as | was 60
ing to my gate saw the defendant with pistol
i'll his hand pointed at the deceased. I cried out
| and endeavored to run between them but was
unable to do SO before the deceased was shot -de-
PENDANT then waived his pistol three times at me.
At the time deceased was shot Israel F. Keith was
standing near the defendant and deceased.
The examination here closed, and arguments
were made by Messrs. Jno. L. Holmes and r. s.
French the part of the prosecution, and Messrs.
NJ. London and Geo. Davis in behalf of the de-
fendant The arguments were very forcible on
both sides and of considerable length. The Court
decided to admit the de PENDANT to bail in the sum
of 81 500 for his appearance at the next term OF
the Superior Court
An inquest was held on the body during the day
by acting Coroner P. w. Tanning, at the eoncIu-
sion of which verdict was rendered by the jury
to the effect that the deceased to his death
from gun-shot wound inflicted by Nicholas Carr"
Crops IN YoRKvmLE.- Yorkville En-
quirer says g It is gratifying to know that
since the harvesting has begun the corn
crops of the District are found to have made
a better yield than could possibly have been
expected from appearances early in the fall.
Many fields apparently worthless have,
upon examination, responded in a generous
quantity of nubbins. The turnip crop was
never more prolific. A large quantity of
ground was seeded during the fall, and the
seasons have been favorable to their growth.
Potatoes are also yielding abundantly.
An exchange recording the fall of per-
son into the river, says; .sIt is a wonder
he escaped with his life" Prentice says
" Wouldn't it have been a still greater Won-
der if he had escaped without ita
Carlos Z. Golden, of Chicago, died of cholera
on the 26th ult., and his wife of consumption on
the same day. -