The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-08-20
gheR em0ryaf-SE r
the OXFORD

y AV"' ~. u hOwtys nv OxTOf
Miss a few days since, has awake
ed a thrill of horror Throughout d
State, and a ~deeP-seated feelir
has been aroused that such deplOr
bic affairs ought not 10 occur in Il
State again. The accursed custoI
OF carrying concealed weapons, an
RresOrt to the 8 of fire arms |
aveDge fancied or real insults an
70 settle personal disputes, will no.
be more heartily condemned by th
better public sentiment than eve
before. No matter what the out
come of tho trial, the occasion ant
the deed can never cease TO be
matter of remorse aud regret to Mr.
HoN ~ and his friends; and the
lifetime OF anguish and sorrow in
store for Mr.. Sullivan's widow and
family adds to the gloom produced
by the tragedy.
SO far only few particulars of the
killing have been published in the
State press. The following from
the Nashville American is the full.
est account we have seen
News reached the city yesterday
of a terrible tragedy that occurred
Saturday evening in Oxford, Miss.
The town is well known over this
portion of the South as being the
educational center of its State. Its
greatest Institution of learning is
the State University. The two par.
ties involved in the tragedy were
ii. M. Sullivan and Charles HOwry.
both distinguished and both resi-.
dent members of the Board OF Trus.
tees of the University. Sullivan
was Secretary of the Board, a great
friend of education aud one of the
most brilliant b~arristers in the
State. He graduated with distinc.
ton in the class of1870. Mr.. How
ry is a most elegant cOurtly gentle.
man, who was recently appointed
by President Cleveland to be Uni.
ted States District Attorney for the
Northern District of Mississippi.
He was the first graduate after the
war in the law department of the
University, then taught by Secreta.
r. l.. Q. q. Lamar. Both men are
between thirty.five and forty years
OF age. Saturday afternoon they
became involved in a difficulty,
when Howry fatally shot Sullivan,
who died yesterday moraing. The
tragedy caused the densest gloom
70 settle over the town, aud the en-.
tire State, to whom both men were
favOrably known, will deplore the {
occurrence of the catastrophe. A
party who left Oxford yesterday |
morning was interviewed by an
american reporter. The latter q
learned thatthere bad been between
the two a feud of long standing. 1t
probably has its conception in some a
rivalry at the bar, where both did !
large practice. |
About four years ago they met on !
opposing sides aud had a personal
difficulty. Both we're impetuous, v
warm blOOded and neither would S
an insult for a moment. The @
little affair was smOOthed over by
friends, but the parties have never
since been on speaking terms. A
few years ago, Howry was appoint
ed by Gov. Lowry to a trusteeship
the University. This naturally t
brought him into close quarters I
with Sullivan. {
During the present summer the 2
affairs of the University have been u
much involved. The Board OF Trus- Q
lees were persuaded that something a
must be done in behalf of the insti. D
so declared all chairs vacant. s
They then reelected all, after much G
discussion. Chancellor A. p. Stew. U
lrt then resigned his POSITION This a
added to the confusion of the Ia
Sullivan was in strong al
Iympathy With Stewart, while How. 81
y was opposed to him. In all 81
hese affairs bitterness between the g
continued to grow and some ny
hing unpleasant was anticipated, 10
nut no such tragic cOnsumation as l
vas affected Saturday. 1t seems na
hat both men had been engaged sll
N opposing sides of a lawsuit be- Ill
ween a local architect and the city, WI
n account OF building of a public th
chOOl. However, the building was DC
ompleted and a number OF trustees Sc
rent out to inspect it. Amongst or
be number were Sullivan and How. nc
The two met face to face, when at
'ullivan made some remark that ne
'as insulting in it's tenor. HOwry ne
{ once wheeled and put his band TO
pom his pistol. Sullivan grabbed M
i'm and the two then clutched in on
eadly~ conflict. In the fall Sullivan, wa
a larger man than his An, su.
fell under the latter. In rel
he scufAe, which was quick as ia
ghtning, and before outsiders nc
Duld intervene, HOwry shot SuIli. ri'
an, the ball penetrating the aldo. ne
len. By this time HowTy had been IN
ulled away. Sullivan rose up,
'rm ell right, he missed
aud walked with some friends TIE
,veral hundred yards TO bis Office. Ne
nst before be reached it, some one tie
DticeG a growing pallOr and sud. sol
en- nervousness, aud said : "Why, pei
been shot" Ca
They entered the Office and dis. nv