Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-08-23
WARM TIME AT A CIRCUS.
A Performance Which was Not Adver-
tised-Two Men Killed and Several
Wounded.

A Performance Which was Not Adver-
tised-Two Men Killed and Several
Wounded.
MoRRIsrowS, Tenn, August 2l.-Ai
general disturbance took place here last
evening, between drunken men who
were here attending circus and the
officers OF the law. The town marshal,
James T. Morris, and Ben +. Richard.
son were killed outright, and Sheriff
Loop was dangerously wounded. Great
excitement prevails.
MoRRIsrowN, TENN August 2l.-The
tragedy yesterday at this place has cast
gloom over the entire community.
The excitement abated considerably, but
the lamentable affair is still the topic of
conversation. The particulars Of the
shooting, and the sad results in conse'
auence thereof, are about as follows:
B. F. Richardson, a desperate and
much feared character, a son.in.law
of Hon. Mcfarland, was in attendance
at the circus bright and early in the
morning and commenced as usual drink
ing and carousing. At 10 A. NJ. he passed
words with y negro at j. j. Skies sa-
loon, whom he alleged had insuIted his
wife some two years ago, and drawing
his pistol fired two shots in rapid success.
sion at the negro as he retreated
through the door, but without effect.
The Town Marshal, James t. Morris,
one of the most efficient and popular
Marshals the town has ever had. at once
appeared on the scene and demanded
Richardson to consider himself under
arrest and accompany him to the Re-
corder's office. Richardson at first drew
his pistol and refused to do 80. but was
finally persuaded into submitting at the
mouth OF the loaded pistol Of Morris. A
preliminary trial resulted in him being
bound over to Court. He gave the re.
suired bond and at once proceeded to
renew drinking and misunderstanding.
About 9 o'clock he returned from the
show grounds, a half mile distant from
the town, and entered from the rear
door OF the saloon in which he had his
FIRST difficulty in the morning. He
passed Immediately to the front door,
where Morris was standing, a few feet
on the outside, with his back toward
Richardson, in conversation with a
drunken man, trying to persuade him
to be quiet and peaceabls.
Richardson, after taking in the posi-.
ton OF Morris, drew his pistol and
fired. The bail passed directly through
the back of his head, killing him in
stantly and strewing his brains in ter
rible manner.
Sheriff II. Loop was within few feet
of Morris when he fell, and had but
barely time to take in the situation
when Richardson opened fire upon him
with two closely followed shots. The
first shot struck Loop in the abdomen,
and the second tore of one OF his
fingers.
Loop returned the fire with two sue.
cessiye shots, both OF which struck
Richardson, but did not fell him. Rich
ardson, with pistol in hand, ran down
the railroad to Main street, thence into
an open lot, and was endeavoring to
reach his horse, when young man
named Halimaster fred upon him with
deadly aim, the ball striking him in the
back and piercing his heart.
Several persons received slight
wounds, butnot dangerous.
A coroner's inquest was held over
the dead bodies OF Morris and Richard.
son, and verdict rendered in accord.
ance with the facts in the case.
The funerals of both parties took
place to-day. The sympathy OF the
whole community is with Morris, and
i'm respect for him the business houses
throughout the town closed their doors
during the funeral services. His body
was attended to the grave by the largest
concourse ever witnessed in this place.
Halfmaster also has the sympathy OF
the town, and is commended for his act
in killing Richardson. The affair was
the most shocking and lamentable that
the town has ever witnessed.