Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-08-15
WALTER E. PRESTON.
His Murder in Texas.
Particulars of the Sad Scene

We give below all the particulars
known concerning the untimely death
and apparently brutal murder of young
w. Il. Preston, late Of this town, The
letter is from the Clerk of the Courts of
Baylor County Texas, and is doubtless n
true statement of all that can be known
concerning the dastardly deed that has
shocked this whole community. where
young Walter Preston was beloved by
every one. This is one of the sad events
that have given to that frontier State II
name for violence which is scarcely sur
passed in the Union. This man Vince
ers behavior prior to the killingputs him
in the attitude of desiring an opportuui-
ty to do young Preston violence. His
refusal to allow Preston to have his book
unless he would come for it, is followed
by using the desired opportunity to kill
him. Preston was retreqting when he
was killed. lie was outside and Wheel
er inside. Wheeler was sent to Jail Aug.
LIST, and will there stay until the grand
jury can indict him for murder in the
first degree. The following is the letter
to Col. James II. Preston.
SEYMOUR, TEXAS, July 10th. 1882
Col. Preston.-I know we'll that You
will be startled and sOrely bereaved over
the sad news that will reach you this
morning by telegram, of the death of
your beloved son, and my dear dear
friend, w. Il. Preston. Myself as well
rs a host of friends made by him during
his residence with us, mourn with you
and his dear ones in tins sad hour of
your bereavement. His death was
caused from pistol shot at the hands of
one +. b. Wheeler, practicing attor-
ney of OGr town; man Of about 80
wears of age. The particulars Of which
| will endeavor to give to tie best ofmy
knowledge. The difficulty was caused
by the loan Of II book, by your son to
Wheeler. About 10 days since Wheeler
borrowed the book with u promise to re-
turn the same; he failed to do so in due
time, and upon request by your son-to
do so, replied that the book was at his
Office and that If he Preston) wanted
the book That he could call aud get It,,
which brought about hard feelings be-
tween them, and am positive caused
. or notes to be passed between them
On Yesterday afternoon your son wrote
Il li6te to Wheeler requesting him to send
him the book to which Wheeler replied
by note in II very insulting manner
And after which | presume about
o'clock, your son went to Whcclcr's Of
flee and went lii. II any words passed
between them, no dilc knows, as there
was no one present., 1t is firmly be-
licved by us that Wheeler commenced
firing on Preston as spOn rs he entered
the door, from the evidence derived up
on examination Of the two pistols used
by the parties. Four shots were fired, 3
by Wheeler aud one by, your son. Two
shots was fired IN The Office, when your
son ran out from Wheeler and fired In at
the door. One of the shots fred in the
house, the ball struck his watch, and
split one half remaining IN the watch
and the other half entering his body
h''N' hI'"R yuN' sun l''l'dtcu " pUtt w
so and. stopped opposite the window of
the Office when Wheeler fired the Bird
shot through the glass window, the ball
striking your son in the right nostri
causing his death instantly. lie never
spoke. Whilst with us he made many
friends and you may rest assured that
his body will be properly cared for by
those who mourn with YOU In the loss of
our friend.
In haste yours,
10 WooDYEAR.