The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-22
DEATH OF THE WHITE CAP
The Demise Of Downs Puts Rogers In
a Bad Box.

A Bullet Extracted From Downs Arm
of the Same Size as That Which
Caused the Death of Junius Law
renoe-Downs Declined to Make Any
New Statement.
Sandersville, Ga, June 21.-The second
chapter of the white cap outrage ended
William Downs, one of the men who was
in the party that made the attack on
Junius Lawrence, in the lower part Of
Washington county, on Sunday night,
May 81
The white caps went to Lawrenc's
house and called him out for the purpose
of whipping him. He knocked them down
as fast as they closed around him, and
one of them jerked out his pistol and shot
him. William Downs was shot In the
elbow on the same night DIR. Frank Pea
cock was called to see him In consultation
with DR.. p. B. Bedingfeld, and to them
he said that he had been shot at
Junius Lawrence's house by Hun
Rogers, and that the latter had also shot
confidence, and on the promise that the
physicians would not divulge the secret.
They concluded that they were bound by
professional honor not to tell what Downs
had confessed to them, but the case
assumed such serious aspects that
they were forced to do
so at the preliminary investigation before
the Justices court, -Four others were
named by Downs, but they all ran away
before they could be arrested, and are
still at large. Downs and Rogers were
both arrested and jailed.
DIED FROM BLOOD POISONING.
The ball in Downs's arm lodged in the
elbow Joint, between the bones, and could
not be located. His arm became so badly
swollen that it was impossible to extract
it, and he would not consent to amputa-
tion. Fever set in and finally blood poison,
since which time he has been gradually
growing worse. His physicians informed
him yesterday that it would be impossible
for him to live another day, but notwith-
standing this he hoped to get well, saying
that he would tell all about the killing of
Lawrence If ne should live to get on the
witness stand Nothing more than his
confession to the physician who first at
tended him could be obtained from him.
He wouldn't give any of the details of the
tragedy, although he was urged to do so by
Rev. II. A. Hodges and DIR. William Raw
lings, who were with him a short time
before his death, and urged him to do 80
in the interest of good government, and
for the satisfaction of the good citizens of
the county.
This morning, DR. Frank Peacock, who
attended Downs when he was first shot,
extracted the ball from his elbow. 1t is
a 3S calibre-the same size as the one ex-
tracted from the body Of Junius Lawrence
after his death. This is considered con-
elusive evidence that the balls producing
the death of both Lawrence and Downs
were fred from the same pistol,
and corroborates Downs's statement
that Rogers had shot them both.
Before Downs died, Rogers who Is con-
fined in cell near by, requested Sheriff
Wall to ask Downs If he was not mis-
taken in saying that he did the shooting.
To this Downs replied that he had al
ready told him all he wanted to say,
ROGERS IN BAD BOX.
The case now assumed very serious
aspect for Rogers. There seenes to bo
no doubt of his guilt, and if he cannot
prove an alibi it is the general opinion of
our people that he will hang. His trial
will come up at the September term Of
Washington superior court.
The people from oil parts Of the coun-
try arc agreed that an example should be
made of Rogers to prevent any further at
,mpts Of lawlessness, and If his guilt can
be established, of which there now seems
to be no doubt, no win be sure to pay the
full penalty of the law.
A coroners inquest was held over the
body of Downs this morning, and testi-
mony was taken to the effect that Downs
had said to reliable witnesses that the
wound in his arm was produced from a
pistol ball fired by Rogers who
intended this bullet for Law
renee. The law defines this as murder,
although the pistol was not fired with
the intention of killing Downs. He in
tended to kill Lawrence and accidentally
shot Downs Therefore he will have to
answer to two charges Of murder.