Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-03-13

A tragedy which had been long
predicted occurred in Wheeling, this
State. last Saturday morning, when
physicians of Wheeling, and a man
very prominent in local politics and
municipal government matters, was
shot twice and almost instantly killed
by DR.. George /. Garrison. The lat
ter is a member of the State board of
health, late health officer of the city
and a man widely known over large
section Of country rs an authority on
matters Of sanitation.
The murder was the outgrowth OF
feud of more than years standing
and the crime created the widest ex-
element. Many threats OF lynching
were made against the murderer since
the shooting. About 8 o'clock Satur-
day morning the two men met at the
second ward market and had some
words. They separated, but about
half-past 10 Dr. Baird drove past DR..
Garrison, who was standing at Mar
ket and Eleventh streets. AS DIR.
Baird passed DR.. Garrison he said to
friend There's going to be trouble. "
He then walked up Eleventh street
and stopped DR.. Baird at the corner
of an alley The two talked for a
moment, and DR.. Baird drove Oh
for about fifty feet and alighted to
see a patient, AS DIR. Garrison came
up he had revolver in his hand, and
said: Take that back, Doctor"
DR.. Baird replied: Il don't have to
take it back, you niggerfed -
hnn Era6 on6 nr
Baird slowly turned squarely toward
him Garrison fired a second time.
The first ball took effect in Baird's left
eve, and CAME out behind the right
ear. The second shot hit him in the
breast. DIR. Baird walked into a
store, said that Dr. Garrison had shot
him, took of his gloves and was dead
in ten minutes. DIR. Garrison walked
down the street, holding his revolver,
until he met a policeman, to whom
he surrendered himself. The men
were on the best terms until eighteen
months ago, Garrison even naming
his son after Baird. When Garrison
was elected health officer Baird per
formed the duties of the office, allow
ing Garrison to draw the pay and at
tend the lectures in Baltimore. 1t SO
happened that when Garrison's first
term expired Baird's eldest son be-
became candidate for health officer,
but, as he had four years before left
the Democratic party, Garrison OPP
posed him and succeeded in defeat
ing him. DR.. Baird resented what he
considered piece of ingratitude, and
from that time dated the bitter feud
which ended in the tragedy. Baird
was as relentless an enemy as he had
been warm as friend, and pursued
Garrison to the end. Every time he
met him in the street or elsewhere he
hurled epithets at him, and charged
him with having negro blood in his
veins. Garrison says he has bounded
him until life was made torture. On
two occasions recently patients on ell
tering his office found him in tears,
when he would spring to his feet and
cry out, My God, must | go through
life bounded by this man; must l con-
tinue to bear your insults and not re-
sent them?"
Garrison tried to avoid his enemy,
but once, two months ago, they met
at the city hall, words passed, and
Baird was Knocked down. This
widened the breach, and hostilities
increased until Saturday, when they
met face to face. Baird hurled the
usual epithet at Garrison, and the
latter shot him dead.