The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-19
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| WEEKLY, SI-25 A YEAR
KILLING OF THE BIRDS.
THE CORONER'S JURY DECLARES
IT MURDER AS TO JOHN.

Justification Found for the Shooting
of Willie-Col. Birds Version OF the
Affair Against Norton A Reward
offered for Norton's Capture-The
People Excited.
GUYToN. GA, July 1s.-The killing OF
Willie and john Bird by Robert Norton.
Jr.. yesterday at DIR. Norton's place, fifteen
miles from here, has caused a profound
sensation throughout the county.
The criminal annals of the county have
never before been blackened by such g.
tragedy.
The prominence OF the victims of the
unfortunate affair which deprived Effing-
ham of two worthy and well connected
young men has stirred the people to fever
heat, and young Norton would fare very
badly il he should fall into the hands OF
friends of the Birds while the excitement
runs so high.
VERDICT OF THE CoRoNER's JURY.
F. r. Tanner was foreman of the cor
oner's jury, which held the inquest this
morning. Their verdict was iustifiable
homicide as to the killing of Willie Bird,
but willful murder as to the killing of John
Bird.
The funeral took place this afternoon at
Springfield in the presence of an immense
crowd, Rev. T. d. Strong performing the
funeral services
AN INDIGNATION MEETING.
Parties returning from the scene Of the
tragedy and funeral report that immedi-
ately after the funeral an indignation
meeting was held by the citizens and reso-
lutions were passed, condemning in high
terms the killing OF the Birds
and requesting the county commissioners to
assemble at once to offer an additional re-
| ward to be added TO the subscription of
over $500 raised among the citizens this
morning. A committee was appointed to
communicate with Gov. Gordon and request
him to offer ii reward for the apprehension
| of young Norton.
MAY HAVE COME TO SAVANNAH.
It Is generally believed that Norton went
TO Savannah, as parties living along the
| road leading to Savannah heard some one
passing at late hour last night riding in
great haste and going in that direction.
Mr.. Tison denies the correctness of the
| report which appeared in the Times this
| afternoon as to the guilt Of Norton, as he
knows nothing of the circumstances Of the
| shooting.
COL. BIRDS VERSION.
Col. A. E. Bird, an uncle of the young
men who were killed, returned yesterday
from the scene Of the killing. and he says it
was an outrageous murder and totally un-
| provoked. He says that the shooting was
witnessed by colored boy, who made a
| statement to the coroner to-day. Accord
ing to Col. Birds story, on
Wednesday last, at Springfield, the
| Bird brothers, through the persistency Of
| Norton, traded mules, the Birds being under
the influence Of liquor, furnished by Nor
ton, at the time. Norton wanted to give
! but $25 TO boot, and the Bird brothers
wanted $35. reluctantly closing the trade at
Norton's figures and accepting a check on
| one of the banks in Savannah for S25.
Yesterday when the Bird brothers
became sober they found to
their surprise that the check
given them by Norton was not signed, and
they hitched up the mule and drove over to
Norton's place either to get the check
changed. they met Norton on his place
and tried to trade back, but
he would not consent, and, turning away
from them, went into the house. John Bird
followed Norton to get hira to sign the
check, but he refused to do so, and came
out with his double barreed gun heavily
loaded with buckshot. Seeing Willie Bird
in the lot, he went toward him, aud when
within five steps of him raised the gun and
fired load of buckshot into his head, and
then, wheeling. shot John Bird in the
abdomen. Both were killed instantly.
DR.. r. G.. Norton, father of young Nor
ton, knew nothing of the killing until he
was shown the MORNING NEWS by his
younger son at $3.50 O'Clock yesterday morn
ing. He left at Z O'Clock for Guyton to be
present at the inquest. Young Norton's
mother was Frustrated by the news Of the
tragedy. Robert Norton was well known
in Savannah, where he lived for several
years. He had been in Effingham county
three years.
NAPHTHA ON TIE TIOGA.