Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1889-03-16
A BULLET In HIS BRAIN.
MURDERED OVER CARDS.
JEFF Adair Kills His Man at Last.
Well-Known in Berlin.

EAsTvILLE, Va, March i2.-Eastvillc
and the adjacent country was very much
excited and greatly shocked this morning
when II became known that during last
night Jefferson Affair, resident Of Oman.
cock, had shot and instantly killed Peter
ID. Smith, n highly respected and well.
known farmer, residing just outside the
limits Of this town. The facts. rs far as
asccrtaincd, are rs follows: Some time
during the night Adair and Smith went to
a wcll.known place In Eastville and joined
In game Of cards which was in progress.
Everything nan along smoothly until a
late hour, when the effects of liquor were
felt. Finally Adair picked up the cards
and dealt the hands around. Smith re.
ccived three Jacks" aud Adair three
queens" Betting became lively and
"call' was made. The hands being shown.
Smith pulled in the pile Of money that
was upon the table remarking that Adair
had cheated in the deal. Smith was en-.
tirely deaf, but was made to understand by
signs by Adair that he must give up the
money. Smith refused, saying he would
not be cheated by anybody out of his
money. Then Adair jumped up. drew a
pistol and fired, the ball entering just be.
low Smiths right eye and entering the
brain, causing instant death. Smith died
as he sat In his chair. Adair was imme,l.
lately placed under q strong guard, and
afterwards lodged in jal The deceased
was son Of the late DIR. w. G. Smith and
served in the confederate army. being at
one time member of O,eIjs Battery. lie
leaves wife and six chilGscn, most of
them grown. lie was well known through.
on, the eastern part Of Virginia and In
Baltimore and Philadelphia. where he has
many friends and acquaintance.
A jury Of inquest was held this after.
noon. After the testimony in the case had
been heard the jury rendered verdict
that Peter u. Smith came to his death by
a pistol bullc, fired from pistol in the
hands of Jefferson Adair, and fired by
said Affair without any provocation."
After The rendering Of the verdict Adair
was brought into court for preliminary
hearing, but he waived an examination
and was committed to Jail for the action
Of the grand jury. The prisoner expressed
great sorrow for his nc, and attributed il
to the effect of liquor
Jefferson Adair has been employed for
the past year MS clerk in Col BENZ. T.
Parker's Grand Central Hotel. Onancock.
and is the only surviving son Of the late
formerly one of the best known hotel pro.
priciOrs az the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
-B,ito. Sun.
Mr. Edward Affair brother Of the muir.
dcrer, was the proprietor oi the Atlantic
Hotel in Berlin Tor sew, raj years where he
died, his widow afterwards conducted the
place until Gus Parker bough, il out and
became the landlord. jeff stayed with his
brother while he run The hotcl;was n noted
gambler and was one ola notorious gang
of slarps tina, run den ut Ocean city.
His brother who was n gentleman in every
respect knew of Jeirs doiugs and told him
he must do better or leave his house, which
he eventually did. The trouble he has
got into now was not unexpected by
many who knew him well as Il is not his
first shooting affair II the rcport of his
crime is correct and there is any justice
lin the conny he will surely pay the pen.
unv