The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-06
CONVICT REDDY DEAD.
CHAIN-GANG GUARD FENNEL'S
SHOT PROVES FATAL.

| Reddy Was Trying to Escape When
the Guard Fired-Werned Several
Times to Hslt Under Penalty Of Being
Shot-The Dead Negro a Notorious
Thief and Dlsturber in the Convict
Camp-An Inquest to Be Held Tc-
day.
William Reddy, the negro chsinsgang
convict who was shot Wednesday by Guard
Fennel while be was trying to escape from
the Bay street road camp. died yesterday
about o'clock at the Georgia infirmary.
Reddy's wounds we're not az first thought
to be fatal. but peritonitis set ia and the
negro didn't last as long as the physicians
expected His right arm was broken by
the load Of buckshot which Fennel cred at
him, and a considerable portion Of the
charge entered Reddy's side and penetrated
his liver.
Coroner Dixon was notified by the in
Urinary authorities as soon as Reddy died.
but be had to postpone the inquest until
this morning at 10 o'clock because OF noe
being able 20 get all the witnesses Of the
shooting yesterday afternoon.
REDDY A TOUGH CUSTOMER.
Reddy was notorious negro thief and
all-r0und crook. He had haoit Of holding
up the negro crap" games in the suburbs
and compelling the players. at the point of
Winchester rifle, TO hand over to him all
the pots" He made these raids so fire.
quently that the crap players had to
finally give up their usual haunts and find
more secluded places TO carry on the games.
Then Reddy transferred his operations to
the country settlements until he became
known as a terror. He made bis raids on
these places usually on Saturday nights,
nd nh heN -.
be would step in, level his Winchester and
take all the money in the party.
SENT UP FOR LARCENY.
Reddy, finding that bis crap raids had
been overworked and were becoming un-
profitable, changed his tactics and took to
petty larcenies in the city. In the latter
part OF October be entered Ren WaYnes
house and stole considerable clothing and
other articles. Reddy was captured a few
days later, aud on beng searched pistol
was found In his pocket.
Two cases we're made out against the
negro and he was tried before Judge Harden
Nov. z. On the charge or larceny Reddy
was sentenced to six months on the chain
gang, and for carrying q pistol an extra
three months was added.
When Reddy was taken to the camp he
swore he wouldn't work, and IL was only by
threats Of punishment that he was induced
to change his mind. The convict was a
man of very ugly temper and he made him
self so disagreeRble to his companions in
stripes by his actions toward them and his
annoyance Of many that the guards had TO
keep strict watch more than once to pre-
vent some of the other convicls from killing
Reddy.
TRIED TO ESCAPE SEVERAL TIMES.
The negro made more than one attempt
TO escape, but until the last one the guards
always overhaued him without the necessi-
ty Of using their guns Wednesday Reddy,
with forty-four other conyicts, were put to
work in one Of the fields digging dirt for the
roadway.
While Fennel's back was turned toward
him the convict dropped bis spade and made
a break for liberty. The other convicts
raised the alarm and yelled at the fugitive
to stop, but he only ran faster. Fennel gave
chase and called out to Reddy to halt or he
would shoot him, but the fleeing convict
needed not the warning.
Seeing that the convict was about to es-
cape Fennel raised his gun aud fired. With
a yell of pain Reddy dropped to the ground.
When the guard reached his side he found
the negro bleeding considerably, and be had
him taken at once TO the camp, where his
wounds we're temporarily dressed pending
the arrival Of County Physician Chisholm,
for whom messenger was sent
DR.. Chisholm had Reddy brought to the
Georgia infrmary for treatment out the
wounds in his liver developed peritonitis in
quick time. The convict suffered greatly
from the time he was shot until he died.