The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-02-12
HOMICIDE IN GREENv1LLE,
Major William A. Williams Shot Dead
by James ID. williams.

Major William A. Williams Shot Dea
by James u. Williams.
The news Of the violent death OF Ma
or William A. Williams which occurre
in Greenville last Saturday morning at
quarter past IL o'clock was shock t
the entire city and to thousands of pee
pie in every part Of tho State.
The only eyewitness OF his death e,
cept the man who killed him is Willar
Mott, well known colered man. Moi
states that Ma jor Williams and James II
Williams were playing cards in o privat
room on the second story Of tho build
ing at the corner OF Court Square an,
Main streets, next to tho GrcnvilIe New
Office, Mott being in the room. Som
dispute arose and Major Williams quiet
| ~ atose from the table, drew his knif
from his pocket, opened it and held i
rs If awaiting an attack.
j. 3. Williams, according to Mott.
statement, said Il am unarmed."
Major Williams closed his knife, threw
it Oh the table before him and said he
would try him con his muscle" Both
were large, strong athletic men.
j. b. Williams picked up the knife
and apparently put it in his own pocket
About that time Major Williams pulled
off his coat and laid it on table with his
umbrella
The men were then five feet apart. J.
b. Williams suddenly drew a revolver
from his right hand pantaloons pocket
raised IL quickly and fired. Major Will
liams threw one of his hands to his
breast and said "I am killed." just
then Mott ran out to call help. He says
as he ran down the steps he thought lie
heard another shot. AS he reached the
Mansion House, directly opposite across
tho street, he looked back and saw Will
liams come down the steps to tho pave
ment and walk down Main street toward
the river, guickening his pace rs he
passed the court house.
Mott called Police Officer Dickson,
who promptly summoned assistance.
Chief of Police Kennedy and Officer
aowerton went up stairs to tho scene
of the murder and found Major Williams
alone, on his face, dead, shot straight
through the heart.
There were bruises and cuts on his
face; one mark on his chin being appar-
emily glancing bullet wound, although
it may havo been caused by falling.
The coroner's inquest was short, and
the facts rs above stated were proven.
The verdict: The jury we're absent
but a few minutes when they returned a
verdict that w. A. Williams came to his
death from pistol shot wound and that
the pistol was feloniously fired by the
"said j. B. Williams"
The man who fired the fatal shot left
Mt once, by the aid of friend of his,
+. Marion Simmons, who took the fugi-
tive in his buggy and drove him to Ma
rletta or thereabouts and left him.
Since that time he has not been heard
from. When Simmons returned to the
city, he was Immediately arrested, on q
warrant charging him with being acces,
sorry after the fact. He was seut to Jail
The relatives of Major Willms have au
thoriEed the police authorities to offer q
reward of 5000 for the apprehension anG
delivery OF Jas. B. Williams to Chic
of Police Kennedy. No doubt this viii
be largely increased by Gov. TiIlmal
and Mayor Rowley Of Glcenvillc.
I he whereabouts of J. l,. Williams i
yet unknown. He is supposed to be il
hiding in the mountains of North Caro-
lima. some distance from Hcndcrsunvillc
Deputy Sheriff Glrcath and Officer Ii
gOn returned Saturday night from thei
search for HIM. They went to the hous
of his father, Augustus Williams, nca
Pnmpkintown, Pichens county, but WI
liams had not been there, and the Off
GERS conveyed the first news of the trag
| edy to the father, who is wcll-to do ak
highly respected farmer of Pickens coun
ty. The news was Il severe shock to him
Th" murderer went III different direc
tl"n from Pickens county, and it is sup
posed crossed the mountains before he