The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-02-11

as q Saloon, opposite the Mansion Honse. The
room Ia reached by stairway from Main
street 10 The left Of the saloon. The front
lawyers and real estate agents. A. narrow
hallway leads from the top OF the stairs 10 the
rear. The room In which the tragedy occurr.
ed opens on this hallway. The floor OF the
furniture consists OF several tables and chairs,
number Of large spitto0ns, q stove desk
add few pictures upon the walls. Two large
windows at The back look upon the large
wagon lot upon Court Street aud command q
view Of nearly all that part OF the city below
Main Street.
The Two participants lin the en-.
connter had been playing. cards on
the side OF the room next the hallway and to.
ward the rear. During the dispute they had
shifted about somewhat and j. b. Williams,
who fired the fatal shot stood near the wall
Main street and facing his opponent at dis:
tance of about five feet. The shot produced
almost instantaneous death and Major VIII.
liams fell forward, his face striking the side
OF the table and probably spittoon. The po-
shot WAS fired and In which he was found In.
dicate that he did not move from bis tracks
when The bullet struck him, but fell forward,
his only words being, "You have killed
me-"
A shudder passed Through every person
who saw the dead man and bis surroundings
Men In whose eyes tear had never been
seen could not suppress the moisture That
rose and there were those present whose
told that the strongest emotions oppressed
their hearts. 1t was q scene that Will live
forever In the memories Of those who saw
A post mortem examination was made yes
terday morning by Dr. Samuel Orr, cousin u
OF the dead nun, and by DR.: g. I. Swandale
and DR.. +. s. F. Rowley. The examination
revealed that the ball had gone through the
center of the heart, diagonally in the dlrec
a kh0nldPr G0rOn0r Newman
I'm pannelled the follow ing jury: J. IL. Nor
gan, foreman; w. a. Jennings, r. c. Foster
$. p; Burb"ge, John Love, jr, /; H. H. Moore Moore
pbreys, e. McAflster, Nj. NJ. Games and Jas
Mcpherson.
After viewing the body the coroner and
jury repaired to the court house, where the
Inquest was held. Solicitor Ansel conducted
Mott, coIored, the only eyewitness to tho
murder, except the murderer, was the frs,
witness examined. His testimony was sub
stant1ally the same as the statement
that Major Williams and J. b. Williams were
playing "seven up" The former was foul
points and the latter i've. Major Williams
claimed to nave PIayed h,gh low ana Iht
arose from the table, and Mott saw o knife
in Major Williams hand, held behind hi'
body. J. B. Williams said ~ am ui!arm
ed" and Major Williams closed the knife
81 will try you on the muscle" j. B: vii
liams picked up the knife and apparently put
1t in his pocket. Major Williams then began
taking off his coat. He stepped back lew
]. b. Williams, the latter quickly pulled hi.
pistol and fired. Mott was then leaning
against the PARTITION doorway. He saw Ma.
JUr Williams full forward and then he dashed
down the steps and across Main street 10 The
Mansion House where he saw Calvin Smith
his employer, snd told him that Major VIII
llams had been killed. The Two started back
across the street and saw j. b. Williams run
ming down Main street, near the Y. NJ. O. A
building. Mott and Mr.. Smith went up
face on the floor in pool OF blood. They
went out Of the building and up Main street,
Mott In search ofa physician and Mr.. smith
to notify the police. OMcers Dickson ana
Ddcus & Jordan's store. Mott ami Mr.. smith
passed by them TO The corner Of Main street
and McBee avenue. Mr. Smith turned back
and notified The officers. Mott did not see
Major Williams attempt 10 strike j. b. Will
liams.
Calvin Smith was the next witness. He
substan tiated Motifs testimony about coming
to him, then seeing the body and going out
for help. The two officers who were notified
blow their whistles for assistance and the wit
ness went to the station house thinking he
might find DR.. Swandale. He testified thut
he left the room about fifteen minutes before
tile SDOOGlDR uQG no angry nOIus thCii
passed between the two men.
Chief of police swore that be was standing
at the corner Of Washington and Main streets
talking TO officer HoWerton. who was Just
coming on duty. being one Of the relief squad
that goes on ut one O'Clock In the morning.
He heard the police whistles blowing as II IN
distress and he and Officer Howerion hurried
quickly 10 the other officers, who informed
them what had tuken place. he ordered VI
ticers GunnelIs and Dickson to go at once 10
The Air Line depot and arrest j. Il. Williams
II he attempted 10 board the train. which Was
almost due. With Officer Howerton he went
TO The room, which he found deserted. The
body of Major Williams was lying with the
right side or the face upon the floor. He
turned the body over and satisfied himself
that life was extinct. He then went out for
friends OF the dead man.
r. +. Mckinney, of the Anderson police
force, testified that Friday morning he went
in simmons & Hogg's bar on business. j. Is.
Williams was behind the bar. man whom
lie did not know, came In, hunded j. b. VII.
liams a new pistol and asked II that would
suit. williams said YES" and put the pis.
tol In his hip pocket. He did not know the
man who gnve Williams the pistol. The pis-
tol looked like new 81 double action weap-
Mott was recalled and said the pistol used
by s, b. williams looked like 4 new double
action Smith j. Wesson.
DR.. q. 4. Swandale, Dr. >. NJ. Orr and DR.. E;
F. S. Rowley testified that the bullet wound a
head and face were probably caused from
falling. The physicians also testified that
Major Williams must have been standing
with his left side partially to j. b. Williams
when the shot was fired.
The Jury was absent but few minutes
when they returned Il verdict that w. A.
Williams came to his death from pistol sliEt
wound and That ihe piffTI Wa%s %ss
All who heard the testimony were con-
WINGED that this would be the verdict ot the
jury.
Sheriff GiIreath was informed by gcntle-
man that att o'clock yesterday morning he
met two men In buggy several miles ABOVE
Marietta, One OF the men answered The de-
scription OF Williams. 1t Is thought that
Williams remained IN the city at least an
hour before he went away ana procured
buggy and horse from somewhere.
A note from Williams was lett win gen
tleman for Chief Kennedy, by negro boy
who is unknown, yesterday morning. The
note was written on the front OF an envelope
and asked Chief Kennedy not TO blame Cal
vim Smith for the killing; that calvin Smith
lad nothing TO do with IL and that he (Wil-
Iiams) didn't know II would happen five MIN
utes beforehand,
Yesterday morning In The lower part OF the
county searching for Gi,ias s1 Sat f"H irentb n4
and Officer I.igon went In the direction sup
posed To have been taken by williams.
they had not returned last night and 1t III
are still hunting Waillaihs., c,,.
Yesterday afternoon ubout6 o'clock Sherif
IIlreath and Constable Thackslon arrested +.
Marion simmons. In Simmons and Hogg's
saloon on Main street. 4 warrant nau Deen
,yrorn ont before Justice Davis charging Sim
mons with being accessory ailer the fnct. 1t
~ alleged In the warrant that he aided and
lbcIted In the escape OF j. b. williams by
lwnS from the city. Mr.. Simmons was nken
o Sheriff fGllreath's..office Col. N. Il. Davis