Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-02-24
CRIPPLE CREEK AGAIN.
THIS TIME 1T MAY BE A CASE
OF MURDER.

VIM. Britt, white, shot by q Color
ed Man, Thought to be- Henry
Audsom-TwO Different stories
TOId-One of the suspects said
to Have Left Town.
Cripple Greek, that hotbed Of crime
and vice, that everlasting menace to the
peace of Asheville, was the scene of
shooting last night that may cause the
death of one man and hang another for
murder.
Between 10 and II o'clock the restau-
rant and dance house kept by James Pol
lard and Henry Hudson, both colored,
near the street car turnout, was running
in full blast.
The usual crowd which attends these
nightly carousals was there congregated,
and drunken songs, laughter and curses
long and loud could be heard by passen-
gers on the cars, who have to pass
within twenty feet of the den.
ADANcB IN PROGRESS.
About 10 O'Clock party composed of
VIM. Britt and Ed Davis, white, and Ed
Brown and Hilary Hudgins, colored, left
the square and started towards the de-
pot. gong by way Of Cripple creek. Ar
irving there, according to Hudgins' state
ment, they went into the restaurant,
where a dance was in progress. The
party had been drinking, and Britt acted
as though he would attempt to join in
the dance. Hudson, one of the proprie-
tors. ordered him out, and some words
passed between them when Britt and his
crowd started out, seeing pistolin Hud-
sons hands.
Brown and Davis ran in one direction
and Britt and Hudgins ran down the car
track in the direction OF the depot. They
were followed by Hudson, so Hudgins
says positively, and Hudson fired on
them as they ran.
Five shots were fired, two of which
struck Hudgins, one cutting the flesh on
his elbow and another grazing the side
of his head. Two shots struck Britt in
the back, on either side, almost opposite
each other. The other bullet did not
strike either of them. The firing was
done while within about ten feet of the
parties.
BRITT FALLS.
Hudgins and Britt ran about $50 yards
futher, when Britt fell. His father was
at once notified of the affair, and as soon
10 possible he was taken in a wagon to
his home Just across the French Broad
river, near the Ducktown trestle.
1t was nearly an hour later when the
police went to the scene of the shooting,
and on Hudgins' evidence Henry Hudson
was arrested. 3S-caliber Smith 4
Wesson pistol was found on his person,
and every chamber of it was loaded. He
denied having anything to do with the
shooting. Hudson was placed in jail.
Drs. ]. A. Watson and M. Fl. Fletcher
were called to render assistance to Young
Britt. The bullets were probed for ant
one was located and taken out just be
low the right nipple. The ball on the
left side was not found.
SAYS HE WILL GET WELL.
Justice c. w. Malone went to the hous'
about 10 o'clock to-day to take thu
ante-mortem statement Of Britt, bu
Notwithstanding the doubts expressed
by the physicians, the young man de
clared he would recover and his state
ment was not taken. Another consulta
ton will be held this afternoon, at
o'clock, when his condition can be NOR
definitely determined.
ANOTHER VERSION.
The story told by Pollard, Hudson
partner, is very different from that Of Hud
gins. He says Hudson had no pistol OF
his person, because it was in anothc
part of the restaurant lying on a shell
and claims that he has numerous wit
nesses to prove that another man did tn
shooting. Hudson's case is in the hand
of Messrs. T. A. Jones and 6. Mcrrimor
The man charged with the crime b.
d Pollard is Dock" Blanton, colorcd, We
known in police circles. Heis connectc
in some way with every case that come
up from that shady precinct where tn
shooting occurred. Blanton is said t
have left town. and warrant has bee
. sworn out for his arrest.
Britt is about 81 years of age, and ha
a wife and one child. He lives near II
y house of his father, Elihu Britt, near Il
trestle on the Murphy branch of the v
n. {. road.
TKaHr 6>nU nR Ern PEOPLE,.