Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-02
EDITORIAL PISTOLS.
A TRAGEDY That STARTLED YKx fown
OF cULPBPBR.
The Editor Of the Advance Kills the
Editor Of the "Expopsnt"--Ths
Former Wounded.
special telegram to the DI.p.ich.l

-
CULPEPER, March For some time
past rivalry and bad feeling has existed
between the Advonce and the ErpoaeW.
Both papers are Democratic. Edwin
Barbour is editor of the former and Ellis
Williams was editor of the latter During
the late campaign the Exponent hsd at
tho head of its columns the name OF
James Barbour, father Of Edwin Bar
bouT, and Democratic nominee for the
House OF Delegates. After the election,
however. Williams announced that he
had not voted for Mr.. james Barbour,
but for the Malone candidate, Mr..
Brooke. This intensified the feeling be-
tween the two journalists, and ever since
they have been at cross purposes. The
result was that today a tragedy was en-
acted that startled the community. In
Barbour's paper (the Adcdnce) there sp-
peared this morning the following as a
leading editorial
"on the Eth ulumo the following was received
az this ofiice:
"crLpEPEE, February n, isss
"Nr. Bd,sin Bdrbow:
~sir,-I am informed that In your paper %
yesterday IL a communication. signed Jack Cist
terencx,' containing offensive illusions 70 me.
You viii bo kind enough 20 give me the name
OF the author In writing.
"GEoRGs NJ. WILLIAM
"The following reply was sent st once:
"cULPsPgR. Va. February Il, isss.
"Mr. George w. WHiams;
"sir,-I will not disclose the name Of the au-
thor OF the letter signed JACK Clatterouck."
and consequently make myself personally re-
sponsible for anything said In bis letter.
Respectfully, EDWIN BARBoUR.'
"The responsibility of the offensive allu-
sions' referred 10 having been assumed by I'd
win Barbour. one of the editors Of the Aftdnce.
the manly course for Mr.. Williams IN pursue
was clear. lle knew who was responsible for
the offensive allusons,' and he knew where 20
nnd tho responsible person whom he should
have held accountable for the offensive allu-
sOns' But instead Of doing this-as any one
who deserves 70 be called gentleman would
have done-he resorts to an abusive article Ia
the columns ~ NE Esp0asnf, every limo OF which
brstles with lies aud cowatdly attempts 10 con-
cesl the chagrin he felt az being 80 correctly
portrayed by JACK Clsttsrbuck.
"Further notice of Mr. Williams aud his con-
temptbe abuse Ia hardly necessary: but We
feel constrained 20 say that his conduct IN this
matter has been cowarily Ia the eKvome and
highly unbecoming gentleman, OF which class
We shall no longer consider him member TIA
dlsagreeable for rs 20 publish this efpos, OF Mr..
Williams: hut at times 10 becomes Necessary for
gentlemen TO turn and strike tho dog that is
barking at their heels
1t appears from what can be gathered
that about o'clock Mr. Williams enter
ed the Office of the Adrdncc and asked
Mr.. Barbour who was responsible FOR
the article. Mr.. Barbour replied that
he and his friends were. Mr.. Williams
struck or struck at Mr.. Barbour, where
upon both drew their pistols and COM
menced firing. Several shots were eX-
changed. The first shot from Barbour's
pistol penetrated Williams's breast, from
the effects of which wound Williams died
within a few minutes. Barbour WAS shot
in the scrotum. but is not seriously
wounded. Williams was removed TO his
home. Barbour is also a nephew Of
Hon. John ). Barbour, United States
senator-elect, and is about twenty-five
years of age Williams was the son OK
George W. Williams. ESD. who has been
for several years past connected with the
Virginia press, and was about the same
age as Barbour The families Of both
are among the best in the State, and
both young men were noted for their
quiet demeanor and were very popular.