The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-26
A MARDI GRAS TRAGEDY
ONE MAN KILLED OUTRIGHT, ONE
MORTALITY WOUNDED, AND
ONE SLIGHTLY.
Full Particulars OF the Affair, Together
with the Shooting at Aid Ii.
A. MCDOnOwh


Yesterday was supposed to have been gala
day for everybody. and 1t was up to half-past
6 o'clock In the evening for Rex was to ride
forth. and the whole populace turned out to do
him homage. But at the hour above stated
pail was thrown over the whole affair by the en-
actment Of bloody tragedy. during which one
man was killed outright, one MORALLY wounded.
and one slightly wounded.
Even at that late hour the streets we're
thronged with people who were vending their
way homeward after the days festivities as the
shades Of night were fast approaching.
Those who had the misfortune to pass within
the vicinity of Common and St Charles streets
were startled by the quick reports OF pistols
fred In rapid succession.
On fastening to the scene 1t was found that
a fight was raging Letween Edward Howell
a sleeping car conductor running between
Louisville and New Orleans on the jackson
and Great Northern Railroad. Sell Howell the
general Southern passenger agent Of the Pied
mont Air Line. on one side. and A. Il. Wimber-
ley, merchant of Coffeevlle, Miss. and b. +.
Townsend. q lawyer. of the same place.
When the reporter reached the scece fully
10 600 people were present and the widest excite
ment prevailed. The streets were blocked at
every point, and to make passage through the
crowd seemed impossible. They seemed to
have formed complete ring. and the COM
batants. who were In the centre. were fighting
to the death.
After the police had succeeded In stopping
the shooting and the excitement had
SOMEWHAT SUBSIDIZED,
It was found that Sell Howell had been killed
outright. while Mr. A. 4. Wimberey had been
the recipient of three wounds. Dr. Fred King.
OF Georgia. who was passing at the time re-
ceived shot In the left heel. He was taken to
Ball 4 LYONS drug store. where his wound was
examined aud pronounced severe, though not
dangerous. He was afterwards removed to the
Charity Hospital. The body Of Sell Howell was
removed to the Central Police Station. and sub
seouently taken to Mr.. Johnson's undertaken
shop, on Magazine street. by order OF the
coroner.
Mr. kimberley was placed upon shutter by
Aids Pecora and Dave Hennessey and Special
Mike Hennessey and taken to the Charity Hos
pital, where he was examined and found to
have received three balls. one In the throat one
in the right ear and one in the back in the
lumbar reaion. The one In the lumbar region
is considered by the physicians at the Charity
Hospital to be mortal wound.
Aid B. A. McDonogh. who was one Of the first
Townsend. and had them locked up In the
Central Station. Howell is charged with shoot
ing and dangerously wounding kimberley.
with intent to commit murder. Townsend is
held In custody for being accessory to the MUIR
der OF Howell. while Kimberley is charged
with the killing.
Aid McDonogh states that when he reached
the scene he saw Ed. Howell standing In J. Refs
shoe store on Common street. near st. Charles.
with revolver In each hand. deliberately firing
at Townsend. who was retreatipg down Com
mon street. bareheaded. He first seized Town
send, and turning him over to two police off,
GERS or dered them to take him to the station.
He then rushed across the street towards Ed.
Howell, who exclaimed to him. Stand back. by
CDR and as Aid McDonogh needed not the
warning, but. bent on doing his duty. moved on
his man, Howell leveled both pistols at him
and fired. but fortunately the balls sped wide
of their mark.
Aid McDonogh. although blinded by the
smoke rushed upon his man and, wrenching
the pistols from out of his hand, made him a
se aoWe Wing the door sn dead The he two
pistols rescued by Mr.. MeDonogh were found
to be Tranters. and had
NINE CHAMBERS EMPTY.
Sell Howell. as soon as he was shot, rushed
into Wittum's beer saloon. exclaiming, Have
mercy on me. for Gods sake: am shot; am
killed"
A gentleman, who happened to be In the
saloon, went to his assistance. but Howell, TAX
Ing him for an enemy. started to tuss:e with
him. but being weak from his wound. was
"downed" by the gentleman, who. upon freeing
walked out of the saloon to the yard. and enter
ing the shoe store sank to the floor. Special
Caster walked up to him. and before he could
speak word to him Howell'S face lit up with a
smile as il to show the officer he recognized
him. and then stretching himself out at full
| length expired.
Wimberley after lodging about the street in
attempting to get out Of the crowd. fell bleeding
on 81. Charles street near Common; ;,
or who wounded DR.. King. no one seems t
| know The shooting was promiscuous. Some
say that Howell was killed By Wimberley. white
dentally shot by his brother. This. however. Ii
| not borne out by facts.
1t is equally mystery as to the cause of thu
difficulty. Some say that the difficulty origin
ated on a sleeping car. OF which Ed Howell
was conductor while 1t Is also alleged that thu
| affair arose out of a dispute. on Canal rect
in the day In front Of the st. Charles Hotel an,
which eliminated in the shooting in the even
Ing.
| HOWELL BROTHERS
state that while Ed. Howell was in charge of {
| sleeping car. on his last trip, Wtmberley ant
Townsend boarded the train at Coffeeville
Miss. and engaged berths on his sleeping car
| uby Sat- tOkclutI III que vi luS Stdls, duu mdu
themselves comfortable by putting their feet u
the cushion pposite.
Ed. Howell. the conductor, approached them
and asked them to take their feet If the cush
ion as it was against the rules. They replied
that they had paid for the seats, and that the
would do as they pleased.
| Harsh words were then exchanged, ant
Howell. as it is said not wishing to have dis
turbance or fight. went out on the platform o
his car. Kimberley. considering that he hat
been insulted, followed him out on the plat
form and struck him blow in the face
Howell, feeling the responsibility Of his posi-
ton. still did not resent the Insult. When h.
arrived in the city he told his brother of tn
affair, and the TWO yesterday morning startet
out for the purpose of settling the matter.
They met Winlberley in front Of the ST.. Charlie
Hotel, and the difficulty was renewed, but wa
ended in good time by Kimberley retreatin
into the bar-room under the hotel.
At 6 o'clock LAST evening the men met again
| bpt m Win hnrI ia1 r.