The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-09
FLoRIpA,s TERROR.
Tow Ex-Msyor Cottrel Came to his
Death.

Tow Ex-Msyor Cottreu Came to his
Death
| The following is a fuller account than ap-
/ peared in the MORNING News of the killing
/ of ex-Mayor Cottrell OF Cedar Key, Fla,
by Dolph Gerald, the chief of police of
Montgomery, on THURSDAY last:
For some time feud had existed between
tie Florida desperate and Chief Gerald.
Cottrell had sworn TO xiii Gerald on sight
To-day Cottrell came to MONTGOMERY, and
began TO drink. He told q stranger that he
was going 70 kill the chief of police, and
word to this effect was conveyed to Gerald,
who sent out from mis- Office and secured a
good shotgun. which be loaded heavily with
buckshot He then set it by his desk, and
awaited the coming Of the man who wanted
his blood.
Two hours passed, and the chief did not
leave mis- office. He knew that Cottrell was
desperate man, and believed that If he did
not see him on the street be would finally
come to his Office TO put his threas into exc
cution. Chief Gerald was cool and com
posed as usual, and attended to official bust
ness as if he never had an enc Dy in the
world. Some Of Mr.. Geralds friends in
sisted that he should send out and have the
desperate placed under arrest, but this he
declined to do saying it Would look cow
ardly. He told the police to go ahead and
attend to their business. and he would take
care Of himself.
Cottrell hired carriage and drove into
the country. When a short distance out
side the city he got out of the carriage and
told the driver he wanted to try a new
Smith q Wesson pistol he had Just bought
He then stepped Off ten PAGES from a tree,
on which he had pinned a piece of white
paper, in the middle of which he had
marked an y. After firing at it several
times, and plugging the mark" twice, he
reloaded his pistol and gave the driver
orders to drive him to the chief of policies
office in Montgomery. In thirty minutes
the carriage was standing in front of Mr..
Gerald's Office.
Cottrell alighted, and, taking his pistol in
hand, and concealing it under the lapel of
his coat, entered the room. The watchful
eyes Of Gerald caught a glimpse of him as
he entered the door. Gerald Immediately
reached for his shotgun. The men were not
more than five PAGES apart. Cottrell drew
his pistol and fired, quick as flash. In
rang out, and Cottrell fell heavily to the
floor with groan. His pistol fell by his
side with one empty chamber.
The entire load of bnckshot had taken
effect In Cottrell's stomach, and he lived
only few minutes Coturells shot had
flown wide of its mark, and Chief Gerald was
not hurt. The killing has been pronounced
justifable, and Gerald has been arrested.
A crowd soon gathered around Cottrell's
form as it lay in front of the police office.
His feet and body were upon the sidewalk,
while his head and shoulders lay upon the
platform of the city scales. He was still
gaspiug when the crowd began gathering.
His right-haud pocket was turned half out
side, indicating that he had his hand in his
pocket when he approached the chief of
police. A gold-headed cane lay by his side.
He gasped for probably ten or fifteen min
ltes after no was shot.
Chief Gerald soon after the shooting en-
tered his Office, and, passing out the rear
door. got in buggy, and was driven to the
sherifrs office, where he gave himself up.
A coroner's jury was impaneled to in
vestigate the killing, and gave verdict in
accordance with the above facts.
Cottrell was probably one of the most
widely known men in the country. He
created a sensation about twelve months
ago at Cedar Keys, Fla, by terrorizing
federal custom house officials and citizsns
Of that place. He fed from there c.
Lowpdes county, in this state, where be had
many relatives and friends. He was Of one
OF the best families in Alabama, and when
sober was regarded as an excellent citizen
but when under the influence of drink was
reckless and desperate. He was married
eight months ago to a daughter of Congress,
man Henderson of North Carolina.
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