The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-10-08
The Shooting Of Jadge ward.

A communication ilthe Dispatch of the
ID. gives another account of the circum-
stances attending the shooting of Judge
Ward by DR. White. It is due to the par
ties concerned and the public that they be
given through the VIRGINIAN, in view of
the comments made on the case as re-
ported at the time Of our last issue
TO the Editor Of the Dispejcl
Your readers have already heard of the nm
fortunate affair which occurred on the streets
of Abingdon on last Sunday evening, result
ing i'll the serious, though not necessarily fatal
wounding of Judge George W. Ward. Judge
Ward is the editor of tue Southwest Examiner
and the last issue Of that paper contained las
mentioned in the DiSpQtcHtl several paragraphs
which, SO il is claimed, criticise very severely
DR. William White, of this place, who is an in
opposition to thesregular Democratic nominee
Dr. White has always beeu regarded as gef,-
tleman of high character and of undouDted
courage. and of quick, ii indeed, not angovern-
able temper. 1t is said when the Examiner was
issued last Saturday that he became exceeding
ingly exasperated al what he regarded the
severe structures upon him, and that he at once
visited thesofsiee Of the Examiner, and also tire
hotel where Judge Ward was boarding, that he
might repair the wrong. The Judge was absent
from town, and returned on the train at about
O'Clock on SUNDAY, n company with an en-
poyee of his, wAo. it is supposed, bore him
The information that Dr. White had been maxi
ing inquiry for him. Whites evaporation
lnunity, and the wonder now is that the officers
of the law had not Interfefred in the matter.
The main entrance to the hotel is diagonally
across the street from the soestore OF Bowling
& Mclaughlin. Judge Ward, it seems, had
gone from the hotel To the drugstore OF W. w.
Gold, just four doors east and on the same side
of the street. lie was returning TO the hotel
about o. clock, and was near the steps to the
main entrance when Dir. White made his APP
pearance on the opposite side of The street di-
recfly in front OF Bowling " MeLaughliu's
store from which it is claimed he came armed
h-a
buckshot. The evidence seems to be conflict
ing as to whether he hailed or accosted Ward
before shooting, and also as to whether Ward
saw him before the gun was fired Upon the
firing ofthe gun Judge Ward. with exclama-
ton of PAIN sank to the pavement near the
corner Of The steps. Before the gun could be
fired again DR.. White was seized by D. Z
Campbell ana Graham White CHE former a
nephew, the latter cousin OF DR.. White).
These gentlemen underworld, it is said, to
prevent q second shot, and their efforts caused
the second load to miss its object. In the mean
time Judge Ward had pulled himself back from
the steps and to near the corner of the porch,
which would prevent him from seeing Dir.
White from the position when the second shot
was fred DIR. White rushed into the store pre-
sumabI y for the purpose of procuring additions
al shells Tor the gun. when, unfortunately, |
the door, which had a spring latch which he |
did not understand, cesed upon him and pre- |
vented him from getting back until after the
affair was ended. Following the second dis
charge, D. T.. Campbell and Graham White
started up the street and drew their pistols, it
is claimed. TO fepei what they presumed to be
an attack upon them by, q friend Of Judge
Ward. When they reached o point nearly
opposite Judge Ward, who had gotten in haIi-
sitting position, Judge Ward. it is claimed, saw
upon him, delivered a shot at him. White, see /
ing his danger, stepped TO tree, not large |
enough, however, to conceal his entire person /;
after which several shots fired. 1t is |
claimed that Campbell fired one and that era
ham White fired several, and thai Judge Ward
fired several. 1t is claimed that one of Judge
Wards balls passed near Whites head and an
other just between Campbells legs. AT this
juncture friends of both parties had reached tle
scene and prevailed upon them to desst. Up-
on examination it was found that Judge Ward S
wounds were four OF five in number, and all
from the shot-gun and whilst one of the
wounds is regarded as serious, am happy 10
report that his physicans-Drs Wiley and
Cummings do not regard it fatal, and they
report him as. doing as well as could be ex-
pected. +. L.
abingdon.