New-York tribune., 1891-03-08
ONE DOCTOR KILLS ANOTHER
TRAGEDY ENACTED IN A STREET OF
WHEELING.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE WEST VIRGINIA BOARD
OF HEALTH SHOOTS DOWN HIS FORMER
FRIEND AS HE GETS OUT OF COUPE
PRESENTING A SLUR on
HIS ANCESTRY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE Tribunal
HIS ANCESTRY.

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUHAJ
Wheeling, w. Va, March THE most sense~
tional tragedy in the history of Wheeling took
place on the street here to-day. DR.. George !.
Garrison, president of the State Board of Health
and up to last December chief of the Health De-
partment of the city of Wheeling, shot DR.. George
Baird to death in the street. 1t a most de.
plorable affair and grew out of the inability Of
one of the men to control his tongue or the other
to control his temper. \ few years ago the doc.
tors were the best of friends, and Dr. Garrison'0
four-year-old son is named George Baird Gar
rison, after the man his father to-day shot To
death. The difficulties that led to the trouble
began several years ago when DR.. Baird's son,
doctor also, was candidate for Health Officer OF
the city against DR.. Garrison. Garrison was the
successful candidate, and ever since then there
has been an ill-feeing between the men. DIR,
Baird was noted throughout the community foI
his attacks upon those who incurred his dis
pleasure and he has had several encounters with
different people that account. His feeling
against DIR. Garrison was particularly vehement
and he never passed him on the street without
making reprOachful remark about him!
The enmity between them was well known, and IL
tas been asserted frequently by their friends
that it would not till one of them was killed.
A few months ago the doctors were passing
through the corridors of the City Hall. when DR.!
Baird, in the presence of number of bystanders,
insuted DR.. Garrison by making offensive
allusion to his ancestry. DIR. Garrison resented
the insult and gave DIR. Baird a severe beating
with his fists. They were both fined in the
police court for that episode
After the fstcuf encounter. DR.. Baird threat
ened DIR. Garrsons life, and friends advised the
latter to bring action in court to compel Dr.
Baird to keep the peace. lie thought that course
not advisable and armed himself. DR.. Baird also
began carrying arms and several times since has
insulted his foe openly. DR.. Garrison never
sentcd any of these remarks until to-day. This
morning DIR. Baird leaving his coupe to
call upon patient, DR.. Garrison passed by on
foot. What DR.. Baird said is not known,
but Dr. Garrison turned at once and
demanded a retraction DR.. Baird refused to re-
tract what he had said and reiterated it, where
upon Dr. Garrison drew 32-calibre Smith &c
Wesson revolver from his pocket and fired. The
shot took effect in DR.. Balrd's left eye. DR..
Baird turned and Garrison fired another shot.
which took effect in the back of the head Dr.
Garrison then walked four squares with the
smoking pistol in his hand and gave himself up
to a police officer. saying; =,
i've been forced to kill DR.. Baird, and /
want you to go with me to the Sherlhs office;
Dr. Baird was not knocked down by the bullets.
but turned and walked into store and sat in
chair five minutes before he died. DR.. Baird
was about sixty years DID, but hale for his years.
He is the father of a family of six, all grown
except one daughter DR.. Garrison is about thirty
five and married man. His friends say that
he was driven TO desperation by the attacks Of
his victim, whO they say, circulated reports about
his ancestry, asserting openly that Garrison's
mother neGress
DIR. Baird was of the oldest physicians OF
Wheeling, member of the city Water BOard eX-
member of the Council and of the Board of Public
Works. a member of the Is.ard Of directors OF the
Wheeling Bridge and Terminal Railway Company
and man prominent in local politics and NUM-
cipal government matters