The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-24
SHOT DEAD BY A THIEF.
JOSEPH GILL MURDERED ON THE
LOUISVILLE ROAD.

Killed While Attempting to Arrest
Two Negroes in the a ct of Carrying
off a Sack of Stolen Beef-The Muir
derers Escape in the Darkness-An
Armed Posse Securing the Woods
for Their and the Police on the Look
out-The Coroner Notified.
Joseph Gill, living at the nine-mile post
on the Louisville road, about half a mile
this side of Pooler, was shot through the
wrist and heart and instantly killed in a
woods near Buffers avenue and the six
mile post, half way between the Central
railroad and the Louisville road, by an
unknown negro at Z o'clock last night
A load of buckShot was fired into the mans
body at short range, killing him instantly
Yesterday the murdered man discovered
that a beef had been slaughtered at the
point Of the killing. Summoning his
brother Jasper Gill, and Henry Haywood .
a hunter, the three went TO the place where
the beef had been butchered and lay in wait
for the thieves. The animal which be
longed to the Widow Farrell, had been
butchered and the four quarters put i'll
sacks.
Jasper Gill and Haywood were posted not
far distant, while Joseph Gill remained near
after night fall three negroes came up, and
without seeing Joseph Gin they reached
down to take hold of the sacks.
'DRoP THAT BEEF"
Gill arose from his place Of concealment,
and called out loud enough for his brother
Jasper and Haywood to hear him, drop
that beef"
One of the negroes, who was only few
feet away, emptied the contents of shot
gun into Gill's breast, killing him instantly,
and then all three of the negroes ran
Jasper Gill and Haywood were so taken by
surprise as they saw Joseph Gill fall, that
they did not fire at the fugitives, but hur-
ried to the spot to look after their com
panion. They found him dead
He was taken home and the neighborhood
aroused. All Pooler turned out to
hunt the murderer. Benjamin
Rothwell, postmaster, and J. B.
Forehand armed themselves caught
the 1910 o'clock freight train and hurried
TO Savannah ahd telephoned Sergt. Kill
lourhy from the depot as soon as the train
arrived. The message was received at the
barracks at 1915 this morning, in time TO
instruct the second night relief of police to
watch all avenues, as it was expected that
the murderers would try to steal into the
city. The Ocean Steamship police were
also instructed to vigilantly guard the river
front
Coroner Dixon was notified of the muir
der by telephone, and Messrs Rothwell and
Forehand notified Sheriff Roman and De-
tective Wetherhorn at o'clock this morn
ing.
HUNTING THE MURDERER
Over twenty men were securing the
woods last night in the vicinity OF Pooler
and while suspicion does not rest on any
particular party, it is not thought possible
that the murderer and his accomplices can
escape.
The police will carefully note what negros
are missing from the market this morning.
The murdered man was about p years of
age, and leaves wife but no children. He
has taken an active part in apprehendng
thieves, and about a year ago arrested
negro for stealing an OK from Mr.. Roth
well, and the thief was sent to the peni-
Tertiary for two years
THE MURDERED MAN.
The deceased is spoken of very highly as
an industrious man, fearless in the face of
danger and commanding the respect of all
who knew him. If his murderers are found
by the indignant citizens who are now on
the lookout for them it is hardly possible
that the county will ever be put to the ex-
pense of trying them.
II they are not apprehended by daylight
blood hounds will be put upon their trail,
and they will he hunted down from the
place where the murder was committed.