Democratic messenger., 1893-08-26
is 1T MURDER
Senator Austins Sor, Of Dorchester.
Shoots and Kills a Man.

1
Shoots and Kills a Man.
CAMBRIDGE, Mp, Aug. 21.-Th,
one great topic of conversation in Cam
bridge to-day, and in all OF DorchesteI
county, for that matter, has been III,
killing of William I. Phillips by Geo
+. Austin. Cambridge is thorough,
excited over the matter and the homi
eide is discussed in all its bearing.
wherever two or three people meet. No
since the big fire of year ago, which
destroyed nearly the whole of Cam
bridge, has any subject created such an
interest in the county. Sides are taken
on the subject, as is natural in such
cases. Some persons believe that the
provocation which is claimed to have
led to the shooting was very great,
while others think the case one of un.
provoked killing.
Interest in the case is by no means
confined to Dorchester, hut extends to
all parts of the Eastern Shore. The
news of the shooting, brought to Cam.
bridge by Austin himself, spread with
the rapidity that all bad news travels,
and to-day is being discussed all along
the Shore, on the roadsides, in shops
and stores and on the railroads and
steamboats,.
Austin is in Jail, although up to to.
night no formal charge had been laid
against him. He feels his position
keenly and deeply regrets the shooting,
but claims that it was the only thing
he could do to protect himself. When
the case comes to trial he will plead
self-defense.
Mr.. Austin gave his version of the
shooting as follows: II had gone to the
Golden Hill Camp in the morning and
had spent the day there talking politics.
At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon
went over to Joseph Insley's to get a
glass of beer. In there | saw a number
of Cambridge young men and l began
talking with them. Philips was in the
room, and rs soon as he saw me began
talking about me and called me all
sorts of vile names. did not know
why he did it, because we had always
been friendly. stood his abuse rs long
as | could and backed away from him,
expecting every moment that he would
strike me. am weak physically
and was no match for him. After
another volley of abuse | said to him :
See here, we can settle this matter
without trouble to any one else; step
out here with your pistol and we will
have duel aud have ii out He back
ed down at this and | walked out of
the place to avoid him. | had not gone
far when | heard him behind me. He
called out: Look here, you -, I'm
going to kill your turned half way
around, saw him almost against me,
with his arm uplitted and his hand
clenched as if to strike me. did not
notice whether he had anything in his
fist or not, but drew my revolver and
fired. He fell against me. turned and
walked to the horse-pound, ordered my
horse hitched up, drove to Cambridge
and surrendered myselfto Sheriff Gator.
| did not know how seriously he had
been hurt"
WHAT A WITNESS SAYS.
Daniel Delaha, one of the witnesses
TO the shooting, said that he drove down
to the camp with Mr.. Phillips, leaving
Cambridge about 3 o'clock and reach
ing Golden Hill shortly after 5. 1--WE
then went down to Insley," he contin-
ued, "to get some water for the horses,
and We met Austin there. He had been
drinking, and seemed considerably un-
der the influence of liquor. Phillips
was talking to John Shantry and Sewell
Moore, and stood by fence talking
TO Austin. Presently Austin called out
to Phillips. telling him with an oath to
come 10 him. Phillips did not reply,
and Austin called again, repeating his
oaths. Don't call me that George, |
don't want any man to damn me" =
Phillips said. 'Don't you like it, ask
ed Austin. Phillips replied in the neg
ative, and Austin said ..Well. YOU,
don't you take it. Come out into the
yard and we'll have duel" With
that he drew his pistol. lie put it away,
however. l got Phillips to leave
Phillips suggested that we take the pis-
tol away, but l persuaded him to let
Austin alone. In few minutes Aus
tin came up again and swore at Phillips,
asking him if he liked what had been
said. NO, and ] want you to apoio-
gize, said Phillips, laughingly, reach
ing out to take hold of Austins hand.
i don't owe you an apology,--you,
Austin replied. If you don't like what
have said don't you take it, With
that he pushed Phillips away, pulled
his pistol and fired. Phillips pitched for
ward and caught hold of Austin as if
to protect himself, and then sank to the
ground. Austin turned his back, walk
ed over TO the pound, got his horse and
drove to Cambridge"
Austin is widower. He is forty
years old, and lives with his father on
farm in Bucktown district. He is a
semi-inyalid, and follows no regular oc-
oupatidn. Phillips was twenty-five years
old, and an athlete, weighing about 1865
pounds. He leaves widow and two
small children.