The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-12
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
Major W. A. Williams, of Greenri.lf.
Killed by j. z. Williams in 4
Dispute over Il Came OF
Cards.


Dispute over Game Of
Cards.
Especial to the News and Couiier.l
GFEESviLLE February I.-MaJor W.
4. Williams, well-knOWn as "DiNle'
Williams, one of the most prominent
citizens of thi, city, WAS shot through
the heart and Killed by James 3.
Williams at few minutes after II
o'clock this morning. Major Williams
and his slayer were playing game OF
cards in private room opposite the
Mansion House. They disputed over
the game ard Major Williams drew his
knife. J. b. Williams said: Ian un-
ermed.n Major Williams then threw his
knife On the table and said: "Then Ill
fight you on the muscle" Major VIII
IilnsOegan pulling otfhis coat, ardJust
as he had laid it on the table and turned
to face his opponent }. B. Williams
suddenly drew Il revolver and shot him.
Major Williams fell forward on his
face and was found few minutes later
dead. The murderer escaped and has
not been captured. He is the same man
who was in cerious cutting atfray at
Spartanburg some time ago, III which
a man named Pateet was cut all to
pieces.
Major Williams was the son-ia-iaW of
Judge Hudson, and was a weil-knOwn
member of the GreenviIle Bar. He had
represented this county in the Lcgisla-
ture, aud was prominent III military
circles. He was Royal Arch Mason
and Knight OF Pythias. The tragedy
wac All awful shock to the community,
and thousands of the dead mali 5 friends
al! over the State will receive the news
with sadness. The coroner's inquest
was held to day, and the verdict OF the
Jury was that the murder was telonl-
Gus.
+. NJ. Simmons was arrested to night
as an accessory after The fact. He Is
charged with aiding the murderer to
escape, but denies the charge bic will
probably furnish bond.
SKETCH OF MAJOR WILLIAMS.
VIM. A. Williams, the dead man,
was born December II, 1857, i'll AbUe-
vile county, near Ninety-SiN, bis
futler being Col. WIN. 4. Williams.
His early life was spent in this city and
all the older inhabitants and many
Young ones remember him as d boy.
He attended school here and WAS also
student at the military schools at
IorkYille and Charlotte, \. {. He
afterward studied law with the late
James P. Moore and attended the Co.
lumbla Law School at Washington.
He was admitted to the bar when very
young and began the practice of bis
profession here, being unusually sue
cessful for young man.
His military training made him
prominent in military circles ana ne
commanded the Butler Guards at the
| Yorkville centennial and was for a long
time first lieutenant of the company.
He was captain of the Greenvllle Guards
| for a time.
In public life he had promising
| future before him. His popularity with
| the masses led to his election TO the
| lower House of Representatives for this
State, and he was only defeated for the
Senate by a small plurality. For u
| number Of years he was city attorney
and held other public and private posi-
tions of honor and trust.
He was Royal Arch Mason and a
member of Blue Ridge Lodge, knights
of Pythias, having held high positions
in each. At the time of his death he
was district deputy of the knights OF
Pythias. ,.
He was married to Miss Willie {.
Hudson, daughter Of Judge Hudson,
February 23d, 1881. His widow and
Two small sons survive him.
HIS SLAYER.
The slayer is we'll known in this city
and county. He was at one time pro-
prietor of a saloon on Pendleton street,
| West End. Until a few weeks ago he
had been living in Spartanburg, where
he had charge Of the Portner brewing
company's establishment.
Chief of Police Kennedy, though rel
atives of Major Williams, has offered a
reward of $500 for the delivery TO him
of J. B. Williams. a description OF
| Williams accompanies the reward.
! Theamount will probably be Increased
by other relatives and by the COVER
| nor.
A LARGE REWARD OFFERED.
GREESvILLE, February 9.-The r.
latives of Major w. 4. Williams, who
was murdered here on Saturday morn
ing by J. B. Williams, have offered a
reward of 5000 for the arrest of the
murderer, and Governor Tillnlan has
been requested to offer as large re-
ward as possible. The two rewards
will probably aggregate $500 or s. ,0oO'
and it is believed will result in the
capture of the fugitive, who is supposed
to be hiding in the North Carolina
mountains.
The funeral services Of Major Will
liams were held in Washington Street
Presbyterian Church to-day, and were
attended by a large concourse of friends.
The remains were inferred in Christ
Church Cemetery. W. W. p.