Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-03-02
The CuIpeper Shooting.

It was stated in tbs GAZETTE yesterday
that shooting affair had occurred 10 Gull
pepper in which Ellis B. Williams was shot
and killed by Edward Barbour. who in turn
was wounded by Williams. The deceased
was son of Mr. Geo. NJ. Williams, editor Il
the Exponent, and nephew of Gen. Robert
Williams, Of the United States Army, who
married the widow of the late distinguished
Stephen a. Douglas. who was Miss Addie
Cuts, one OF the celebrated bales of Wash
ington city. Mr. Barbour is son Of the
Hon. James Barbour, member of the Vir-
einia House ofDelegates, and nephew Of
Senator elect John S. Balbour. The cause
of the trouble seems to have grown out of q
newspaper article 10 the shape Of letter
signed Jack Clatterbuck," which was pub
lished in the Aduance The letter made some
caustic illusions to Mr. Williams Of the Er
poaeat which resulted ia The following cor
respondence:
"CuEpeper, Feb 17.-Mr. Edwin Barbour
Sir: | am informed that in your paper OF
yesterday is a communication signed Jack
CIatterbuck,' containing offensive illusions
to NE. You will be kind enough to give me
the name Of the author 10 writing. Respect
fully, GEO. Nj. WILLIAMS"
The following reply was received by Mr..
Williams Sir l will not disclose thu name
Of the author of the letter signed Jack
Csttsibuck,' and conse quenly make my
self personally responsible for anything said
in his letter. Respectfully,
EDWIN BARBOUR.
The last issue Of the Exponent retalieted
in bitter denunciation OF the editor Of the
Aduance and all connected with it. The
Adrance replied saving that the conduc. Of
the editor of the Exponent had been COW
srdly in the extreme, and highly unbecom
ing u gentlemen; that it was di5agr eeable to
publish this expose Of Mr.. Williams, but "st
times it becomes necessary for gentlemen to
turn and strike the dag tina: is barking at
their heels.
Young Williams after reading he article
had q conference with his frieDds as TO the
best course to pursue. Soon il became known
that both men were armed TO he teeth and
trouble was feared Williams sent note to
Barbour TO come down from his office to
ses him. This Barbour declined to do Vii
lisms then, against the strongest protests
and advice of his friends, determined TO go
to Barbour, taking with him one of his
friends. Upon entering the Office Ba,bour
was seated at table, writing. Williams en.
tered, closed he door and advanced 10 where
Barbour was, and said: How do you pro.
pose 20 settle this difficulty-f-t and skull.
o. with pistols?' Barbour said or minated
that the matter could be settled by friends
OF both parties, wherenpon Williams said
1t must bs settled now, and struck Barbour
with his fist. At this point both drew their
revolvers and began firing deliberately at
each other at about six PAGES. Some nine
or ten ehots were fired in all, Barbour's FIRST
shot, it is thought, striking Williams in the
region of the heart. Williams, after empty
Ing his revolver, sank to the floor helpless.
Barbour was found TO have dangerous
wound through the extreme lower part of
his body. Williams was taken out by bis
friend and laid on bad near tbs scene. Doc
tors we're summoned, but it was evident his
life was ebbing fast. He died, unconscious
at 11:30a m. Barbour now lies at bis f,lher's
hou'e in a very precarious condition. Young
Williams was just twenty-one years old-a
young man of quiet, unobtrusive and popu-
lar manners. Barbour was between Is and
10