The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-18
FOR INSULTING HIS WIFE.
A.y. Howell Shoots and Kills W. j. Nc
Grath.

A.. ". Howell Shoots and Kills W. j. Nc
Grath.
AUGUSTA, Ga, June 1l.-Another
terrible tragedy has been added to
Warrenton's bloody record. Capt. ".
J. McGrath, prominent merchant
there, was shot and instantly killed by
Mr.. A. V. Howell, who recently re-
moved from Warrenton to Atlanta.
Howell fired five shots at McGrath,
four of which took effect in the 1atter's
head and body.
The two men were standing in the
postofice at Warrenton, and when
Howell fired the fatal shots were not
more than four feet apart. McGrath
fell to the floor and died in few min
utes in great pain. He spoke only a
few words after being shot. One of these
was an invocation to God to have mercy
on bis soul, and to friend who eau
toned him to keep still, he said: Il
will be still in few moments"
There was only one witness to the
shooting. That was Judge H. H. Fitz-
patrick, the postmaster at Warrenton,
who was filling out a money order
blank for McGrath at the time.
It is stated that Howell went into the
postofice, and seeing McGrath, said:
"Capt. McGrash, you have been writ
ing letters to MY wife" With this,
Howell drew his pistol and began firing
at McGrath, who offered no resistance.
There are sensational features con-
nected with the case and place McGrath
in the attitude of writing love letters to
Howelrs wife.
McGrath is a married man, with a
family of four children, and came to
Warrerton from Charleston, S. c., four
years ago. He is son of Ex-Governor
Sasssrath. of that city.
Howerrs.ife- is the daughter oft1@
w. DeBeaugrine, an exc fonian
who hasbeen residing in Warrentor
several years. She and Howell were
married about two months ago.
It is reported that McGrath wrote
her several notes before her marriage
making improper advances, one O
which fell into her fathers hands. This
led to an alteration, y, in which McGrath's
life was threatened.
The matter dropped, however, ano
nothing more was heard until last
Tuesday, when Mr.. Howell came tc
Warrenton. Then it was learned that
he had taken a letter from the post
Office at Atlanta addressed to his wife
and containing eight pages. The let
ter had no name signed to it, but was
postmarked from Warrenton, and
mentioned an express package which
s the writer had forwarded to Mrs.
Howell. 1t was claimed to be Nc
Greth's handwriting.
Howell demanded an explanation of
his wife, but she protested her inno-
cence and gave her husband to under
stand that she had long been the vic
tim Of such prosecutions at the hands
of McGrath. This is what brought
about the shooting.
Howell was brought to Augusta to-
night and committed to Jail to await
the action of the Warren County grand
jury.
The coroner's. jury which sat in in
quest on McGrath's body, refused to
say whether the killing was justifable
homicide or murder.
Warrenton is greatly excited over
the affair, as Capt. McGrath has many
strong friends among the citizens.
Howell is carriage builder by trade,
and his wife is nothing more than a
child.
McGrath's relatives at Charleston
have been telegraphed for, and will
reach Warrenton tomorrow.
THE VICTIM NOT a son OF EX-GovER
NOR MAGRATH, OF CHARLESTON.
Especial to the State
CHARLESTON, S. c., June 12.-The
body Of Capt. w. J. McGrath, who was
killed in Warrenton, Ga, Thursday,
arrived in the city tonight in charge
of his father, Capt. John McGrath,
who met the remains in Augusta. De-
ceased was not a son. of Ex-Governor
Magrath, as at first reported.
The wife and children of the dead
man also arrived with the body. The
funeral will be held tomorrow.