The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-22
SHOT IN THE HEART.
SATURDAY NIGHTS KILLING AT
DITTMERSVILLE

w mite Elun Road, Kills George WI
iams-Fury of the Negroes In tn
Neighborhood-Tay Family Fle'
for Their Lives-Two Hundred Ex
cited Negroes Bind an Innocent Wit
ness and Threaten 20 XIII Him-Res
cued from His Perilous Position 81
Mounted PoIicemen-Tsylor's Hous'
Stoned in the Mad Riot-A Jury Say
the Killing Was Justifiable Homicide
and Taylor Discharged.
William Taylor, g storekeeper on th'
While Bluff road, at Dittmersville, shot anC
killed George Williams Ccolored) night be
fore last Williams was in liquor and wa
very ouarrelsome and abusive, and out Of
the quarrel and blow given Taylor BY
Williams, the latter was shot in the left
side at short range with a revolver in th'
hands of Taylor, and after walking few
steps fell dead. A coroner's jury composed
Of seven white aud five colored men, the
latter taken from the neighborhoOd of the
shooting, found a verdict Of justihable
homicide, and the prisoner was discharged.
THE Widest EXCITEMENT.
The shooting created the widest excite
ment in a neighborhood where the colored
population largely predominateS After
che shooting Taylor was driven 20 the city
by John Battles colored) and gave himself
up, and asked police protection for his
family. Mounted Officers Clayton and
Dwyer galloped rapidly TO the scene Of the
killing and found an excited concourse of
about 200 negroes, about fifty of whom
were women, in the widest state Of excite
ment.
Mr. Jas G. Ledbetter, the only white wit
ness of the crime, and who had nothing
at all to do with it, had been bound by the
Infatuated colored people, who formed a
circle around him, threatening his life.
Others were pelting the house with brick
bats, potatoes and sandballs, and threaten
ing Miss Lizzie Taylor, the daughter Of the
storekeeper Some of the disJempered
crowd wanted to break down the barricaded
door and kill her, threatening to divide her
body In two parts to be hung up conspic-
uously on either side of the dead man who
lay in the road where he had fallen.
Mrs. Taylor was not at home, having been
removed to Telfair hospital some time ago,
where she Is lying very low. The two
younger children, aged 9 and IL, re-
spectively, were hurried off by their older
brother, Willie, to place of safety, Miss
Taylor bravely remaining behind.
LEDBETTER SET FREE.
When Officer Clayton arrived and had
learned the facts be unbound Ledbetter and
dispersed the crowd, which went sullenly
and reluctantly of.
Later on Coroner Dixon was notified and
removed the body 10 the city, and i'm
paneled jury Of inquest, and Detective
Basch placed two officers in citizens dress
to protect the property during the absence
Of the family.
Taylor was pretty badly beaten up by
drunken negroes some time ago. and on this
occasion, be says, be feared like punishment
OF worse, and acted in self-defense. George
Williams was a common laborer, and had
been in the employ Of MIR. Rogers at Vernon
park. The deceased lived on the Buckhalter
road He was about 80 years of age, and
leaves wife. but no children. The testi-
mony shows that he was quarrelsome and
turbulent at another place before he went
TO Taylor's. The remains will be inferred
to-day
The inquest was held in the mayors court
room yesterday afternoon, the prisoner
being present. He requested the privilege
of making statement to the Jury, but
was raised, and on a vote only
three jurors voted in the affirmative Be-
fore entering upon the testimony the Jury
visited the undertaking rooms of Coroner
Dixon and examined the body. Only one
wound was found although the evidence
was to the effect that two shots were fired,
and the weapon surrendered by Mr.. Taylor
corroborated the testimony. The following
is full report of the evidence at the in
quest:
ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE.
The first witness called was Elizabeth
Taylor, who testified as follows: 81 know
the deceased, George Williams, and have
known him for five years. / saw him in
our store last night. His wife owed the
store a small account. The store is owned
by my mother, and is situated on the
w hite Bluff road at Dittmersville.
Saturday, week ago, Mr.: Rogers,
for whom Williams was working, paid
off the hands at the store. When he came
to pay Williams / asked the latter if he
could let me have something on his &C
count. Williams said he could not spare
anything then, but would pay me some
thing next Saturday morning, meaning
yesterday. / said TO him that | had waited
long enough, and if he could not let me
have all to let me have some. The
amount he owed was IS cents. He then
paid me so cents on the bill. Afterward
he went to town. and when he came back
he told my father it was no way TO act, and
that my father was no man OF all TO speak
to Mr.. Rogers about the account. He
wanted TO quarrel and my father told him
TO go and see me, as he knew nothing about
1t. told Williams not to bother me, that
l had other business to attend to.
He then walked out of the store,
cursing and swearing. did not see him
any more until last night.
THREATS BY THE NEGRO.
Williams drove up in buggy last night
about $50 O'Clock with Mr.. Ledbetter. Mr..
Ledbetter got out Of the buggy aud came
in the store. Shortly after heard Williams
cursing. He said he wanted to see my
father; Williams was on the stoop saying
what he would do. He called my
father, but father did not go out
but spoke to him from the inside
OF the store, saying he had something
else to do. Williams kept insisting on my
fathers, coming out, and father told him to
go away and not bother him. Williams
said he would not do it. He called father a
good many bad names and cursed him, and
wanted him to come out, saying what he
would do if my father would lay his hands
on hum. do not remember what any of
the threats were. had good
many customers in the store and
/ did not hear the remarks. NV
brother Willie went TO the door and asked
Williams If he would please go away,
Williams said that If he got hold Of him he
would murder him, as he was as bad as my
father. | went to the door to tell my
brother Willie to come in and not to bother
with Williams, and then my father came to
the door and told us both to come in.
WILLIAMS STRUCK THE FIRST BLOW.