The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-26
SHOT IN A TURNIP FIELD.
GEORGE JONES KILLED W5ME
BAGSING VEGET Bliss


Patrick Walsh Watches Els Fathers
Truck Patch and Shoots a Thief in
the Act of Carrying OF Bag Of Tur-
nips-Walsh'sF Father Surrenders Him
to the Authorities-A Coroner's Jury
Calls the Killing Justifable Homi-
eide.
George Jones, a negro about 20 years old,
was shot and instantly killed night before
last by Patrick Walsh at his fathers farm
on Springfield plantation, near Laurel
Grove cemetery.
Jones was stealing turnips when he was
killed, and was in a STOPPING position when
the bullet which ended his life struck him in
the head.
Michael Walsh, the father of the young
man who did the killing, is a well-known
drayman and farmer. For a number of
years he has been annoyed by losing por-
tons Of his crops when they were ready
70 be harvested. Jones and his father lived
in a field adjoining Walshs farm. and they
have been suspected all along Of being the
depredators. Last fall quantity
at hay was stolen from the
rarm, and after investigating matters
Walsh found out shat young Jones was the
thief and had sold the hay to different par
ttds III Tue CITY. ne uAu Nun arrested, ana
his father offered to return four tons of hay
If Walsh would drop the prosecution. This
he did, and for awhile things went along
smoothly.
WATCHED FOR THE THIEF.
Within the last few weeks, however, the
marauding expeditions on the farm have
been OF frequent occurrence, and the pro-
pristor made up his mind that something
would have to be done 10 prevent the an-
H. FL I.
about the matter, and they determined to
watch the field aud find out who the thief
was
Tuesday night Patrick and one of his
brothers. armed with breech- loading shot |
gun. went to the field, and took position |
where they could get view of the entire |
place. They did not have long to wait be- |
fore they saw a negro enter the field with |
bag under his arm, and 20 toward turnip |
patch about sixty feet from where they |
were standing.
The moon was shining brightly and the |
young men recognized the negro as Jones. |
He stopped down and began pulling the |
turnips and opened the bag Patrick, who |
had the gun, called to Jones TO know what |
be was doing In the turnip patch, and |
almost Immediately fired.
FELL ON HIS FACE.
The man fell over on his face without a |
word, and after waiting for about ten |
minutes to see If he would get up the young |
men went back home and reported to their |
father what had happened.
Patrick said he and his brother did not
know that the man was killed, and were |
afraid to go near him for fear that he might
be armed and was only waiting an oppor-
tunity TO inJure them. As he climbed over
the fence they saw him pull bright object
from his pocket, which they thought was a
pistol.
Mr.. Walsh did not investigate the affair
that night on account of the Iateness of the
hour, but early yesterday morning be went
70 his farm 70 look into the matter, and
found Jones lying dead on his face across
the turnip patch. He returned home and
brought his son into the city, reported the
facts TO Coroner Dixon and surrendered
him TO that official.
THR CORoNER's INVESTIGATION.
The coroner went out shortly after and /
heid an Inquest. Only the testimony of the /
young man who did the shooting, and that |
OF his father, was taken, and the Jury re- |
turned verdict that George Jones came |
10 his death by a gunshot wound inf cted |
a. the hands of Patrick Walsh, and they |
considered it justifiabe homicide.
" ash was then discharged from CUSTODY.
he IS about p years Of age and has a retir- |
ing disposition. He regrets very much the
necessity which caused him to kill Jones.
Coroner Dixon found set Of brass kuucks
On the person of the dead negro, aud thess
were evidently the bright object which the
Washes saw him pull from his pocket as he
climbed over the fence.