Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-03-07
A TRAGEDY In tULPEPER.
Ellis B. Williams Shot and Killed By Edwin
Ronhnur-
Especial to Baltimore sun.

Ellis B. Williams Shot and Killed BY Edwin
BarbOnr.
Especial to Baltimore SUM-
| CULPEPER, VA, March lone of the
most desperate and deadly shooting ARRAYS
1 that ever happened in this county occurred
| here this morning about 10 O'Clock between
Edwin Barbour, editor of Piedmont Adralce,
and Ellis B.Wiiliams, son of Mr.. George NJ.
| Williams, editor of the Culpepsr Exponent,
resulting in the death of young Williams
and the serious wounding of young Barbour.
! Both are very young men and their families
are highly connected, and have been for
generations prominent in the councils of
the country. The deceased was a nephew
Of Ger. Robert Williams, of the United
| States Army, who married the widow of
the late distinguished Stephen A Douglas,
who was Miss Addie Cults, one of the cele-
brated bellies of Washington city. Mr.
! Barbour is the son of the Hon. James Bar
/ bour, member of the Virginia House of
| Delegates for this county, and nephew of
Senator elect John S. Barbour. The cause
of the trouble seems to have grown out of a
newspaper article in the shape of letter
dated from Washington, and signed "Jack
| Clatterbuck," which was published some
weeks ago in the Adrance. The letter
made some sharp and caustic allusiona to
Mr. Williams, of the Exponent, which re-
suited in the following correspondence:
"Culpeper, February 17-Mr Edwin
Barbour.-Sir; l am informed That in your
paper of yesterday is a communication sign
ed Jack Ciatterbuck, containing offensive
illusions to me. You will be kind enough
| to give me the name of the author in writ
ing.
''Resrpectfully,
nj
The following reply was received by Mr..
Williams: "Sir-I will not disclose the nam
of the author of the letter signed Jack
Clatterbuck,' and consequently make my
self personally responsible for anything said
in his letter.
Respectfully,
edwin BARBOUR"
The last issue of the Exponent retaIiated
in a bitter denuncation of the editor of the
Advaace and all connected with it, saying
that the editor was more an object of pity
than ofreseDtment. inferring that he young
Barbour) was not the principal, and was
put up to it By some one else. His friends
claim that he, aud he alone, is the author
of the articles in question. To-day's Id
cance contained the following editorial, I'M
der the two notes given above, and was the
immediate cause of the tragedy this morn
ing:
'FThe responsibility of the offensive al
lusion referred to having been assumed by
Edwin Barbour, one Of the editors of the
AdgGnce, the manly course for Mr.. Williams
to pursue was clear. He knew who was
responsible for the Offensive illusions, aud
ne knew where TO find the responsible per-
son, whom he should have held accountable
| for the offensive illusions But instead
of doing this, as any one who deserves to be
called a gentleman would have done, he
resorts to an abusive article in the columns
of the Exponent, every line of which bristles
with lies and cowardly attempts to conceal
the chagrin he felt at being so correctly por-
| Grayed by Jack Clatterbuek.' Further no.
tice of Mr.. Williams aud his contemplate
abuse is hardly necessary, but we feel con-
strained to say that his conduct in this mat
ter has been cowardly in the extreme, and
highly unbecoming a gentleman, Of which
class we shall no longer consider him a
member 1t is disagreeabie for US to pub
! lish this expose Of Mr. Williams, but at
times it becomes necessary for gentlemen
to turn and strike the dog that is barking
at their heels"
Young Williams was in town bright and
early this morning. After reading the
above article he had conference with his
friends as to the best method to pursue.
Soon it became known that both men were
armed to the teeth, and trouble was feared.
| Williams sent note to Barbour to come
down from his Office to see him. This
| Barbour refused to do. A second and third
messenger was sent. Barbour still declined.
Williams then, against the strongest pro-
tests and advice of his friends, determined
to go the AdUGRce Office to see Barbour, &C
companied by one of his friends. Upon en-
/ a. Il
table, writing. Williams entered, closed
/ the door and advanced to where Barbour
was, aud said: ''How doyou propose to set
tie this difficulty-fst aud skull, or with
i pistols? Barbour said or intimated that the
matter could be settled by friends of both
parties, whereupon Williams said, 1T must
be settled now, and struck Barbour with
his fist. At this point both drew their re-
volvers and began firing deliberately at
each other at about six PAGES. Some nine
or ten shots were fired in all. Barbour's
first shot, striking Williams IN the region of
the heart. Williams, after emptying his
revolver, sank to the floor helpless. Bar
bour was found to have dangerous wound
in the scrotum, passing through the ex-
treme lower portion of his body. Williams
was taken out by his friend and laid on a
bed near the scene. Doctors were summon
ed, but it was evident his life was ebbing
fast. He died unconscious at 80 a. n.
Barbour now lies at his fathers house in a
very precarious condition. 1oung Williams
was just twenty-one years old-a young
man of quiet, unobtrusfve and popular
manners. Mr.. George NJ. Williams, the
father of Ellis B. Williams, married Miss
Gertrude Long, daughter of the late Ellis
Long, of Baltimore. Young Williams was
partially educated in Baltimore, in which
city he has quite number ofrelatives. The
coroner's jury up tc this hour has not made
up its verdict.
LATER.
CULPRPER Va, March DIR. Lewis,
Barbour's physician, thinks his condition is
critical, but somewhat better than yester-
day. Please say in contradiction of the
I ID