Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-26
BULLET IN HIS BRAIN.
BRUTAL MURDER IN a NEGRO
GA9IBLING DIVE.

shadTseh Baker Shoots John Allison in
Drunken ouarreI-The Murderer
Jumps Through q Window and rs
oapes-GAston street the scene OF the
Tragedy-The Csronsr's Inquest-Ofi :
GERS on the Murderer's Track.
The body Of a negro lay ia the corner Of
q back room at No. 195 CASTOR street, last
night. TIE head was bent forward, aud
brains oozed from an ugly wound 10 the
right temple. In one hand was ughtly
grasped a revolver. The other was
thrown up as If % ward of blow
The room was negro gambling den IN
the rear Of a bar, kept by sam Jefferson,
on Castor street, between Jefferson and
Montgomery. Early in the evening
John Allison, George NIX, Ben Mad
tox and Sbadracn Baker were in the bar
drinking and carousin-. After which
teey went into the room back OF the par,
and shortly sftcrward Maddox and Ali
son became involved IN aquarrel. The
quarrel bad hardly begun, when Baker,
who claimed % be a brother OF Maddox,
drew a pistol aud threatened 70 shoot Al
Ns0u 80 he laid hands on him. Allison
also drew bis pistol. and as he did So
Maddox caught hold of his arm, At the
same instant Baker fired, and the lights
IA the room were put out. Maddox. Baker
and Nix jumped out the windows and
fed.
The barkeeper, George Palms, who was
In the bar when the quarrel began, rushed
into the room Just as the shot was fired.
Another negro by the name Of Richards
heard the report Of the pistol and rushed
in. Palms was Just coming out OF the
room, and asked him TO get match from
the bar. he said somebody had been
shot. Richards struck a match and lighted
a lamp. Allison lay crouched IN one cor
ner Of the room, with bullet wound IN
his head and blood and brains oozlng out
on the floor.
The proprietor OF the bar was at the
theatre when informed Of the shooting.
The case in the meantime had been re-
ported to officer Deignan and a search
was made for the murdereTs. but in the
darkness il was impossible 20 obtain any
clue that mi ht lead to their capture.
Coroner Dixon was notified, aud after
viewing the remains, empannelled a jury
and held an inquest. The verdict charged
Baker with willful murder and Maddox
as accessory % the crime. The quarrel
which ended in the tragedy is supposed to
have grown out OF Allison's calling Baker
. liar.
Baker is a desperate character, and is
Eell-knowu to the police. He has recent
" been released from the chain-gang.
where he has served several sentences,
lie is a butcher, and up to short time
sgo kept a stall IN the market.
Allison was about IS years old, and had
wife and two children IN Augusta. He
came 70 Savannah about a week
ago to find work, and while
A1Fe A8a been staying with his cousin,
Alfred Russell, In Charlton street lane.
- Tee Pistoi which be held IN his hand
when shot was a 3s-calibre Smith and
Wssson revolver. All OF the chambers
were loaded. The shooting was done be-
fore he had hardlF taken the weapon from
his pocket. and so quickly that be did not
have a chance TO raise il. The ball en-
tered the right temple and lodged in the
brain. Death was instantaneous, and be
sank 10 the floor. where his body was
found IN a crouching attitude. The re-
mains were taken IN charge by the Cor
0ner and removed 10 the morgue. They
VIII be buried to-day.