The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-01-25
THE GREENSBORO AFFAIR.
The History Of the Scandal Given
From Beginning to End.


In the Charlotte Observer OF Sunday
the following account of the Gilmer-H ol-
land affair at Greensboro, and the causes
that led up to the shooting, as published
last week. is given. The article was
written by representative of the Observer
who went to Greensboro to investigate
the matter and get at the true facts in
the case. 1t is as follows:
At the intersection of North Elm and
Church streets in the city of Greensboro
are situated the two most beautiful speci-
mems of residential architecture in the
city. On the left side is the residence of
Mr.. E. L. Gilmer, a prominent young |
tobacco merchant, and on the right side |
OF the street is the residence of the late |
Judge J. A. Gilmer, now occupied by his |
wife and daughter, Mrs. J. NJ. Dick.
About two years ago Judge j. A. Gil |
mer died. He lived to time when he |
could view with satisfaction the results |
of his advice and guidance to his young
son, who had then been married one
year, and was provided with all the
necessities to make home happy and
business lucrative.
A Irritation, which occurred about
eight months ago, led to this unfortu-
nate affair. 1t was followed up by visits
to Mrs. Gilmer by Holland. Nearly a
year ago Mr.. Gilmer discovered letters
from Holland to his wife. After this dis
covery Mr.. Gilmer Gained himself as
much as possible and made a visit to
Danville, where he interviewed Holland
and told him his acquaintance and init
macy with his wife must cease or be would
kill him the first time he ever attempted
Irritation again. Mr.. Gilmer then re-
turned home and felt OF ease after his
severe but fair warning to Holland. He
lived happily and unsuspectingly until
about a month ago, when again his sus-
picions were aroused, at which time he
at once contrived to confirm them, which
he did through the evidence of CORES
pondence between Holland and Mrs.
Gimer. Hollands letters to Mrs. Gil
mer were directed by Mrs. Chas. H. Con-
rad, of Danville, Mrs. Gilmer's sister, to
a third party in Greensboro, VINO at a
convenient time would deliver them to
Mrs. Gilmer. How Mr.. Gilmer learned
of this proceeding was not divulged.
By this time Mr.. Gi!mer thought he
would tender Mr.. Holland surprise
without the assistance or confidence of
any one The socalled affair of the heart
| was at fever heat between Holland and
Mrs. Gilmer, and it was necessary a little
| cold water or lead should be introduced
| as quencher. A week ago last Friday,
Mr.. Gilmer informed his wife that he had
| important business in Raleigh that would
compel him to remain away from home
until Saturday night. Mr.. Gilmer took
the morning train and after spending the
! day in Raleigh he returned Friday hight.
To prevent being recognized he took a
seat in the rear OF the sOmking car, alone,
and pulled the briln of his hat down over
his eyes. No one spoke to him. Not
even the conductor knew him. As the
train neared Greensboro, Mr. Gilmer left
his seat and jumped off the car before
it reached the depot. He at once started
for his mothers house, at which place
his wife was staying during his absence.
Arriving there he secreted himself in the
stable to await developments. In the
meantime Mrs. Gilmer went to the depot
and inquired of the conductor on the
train if he had seen Mr.. Gilmer. He in
formed her that he had not. She then
asked of several of the passengers, but
received a negative reply from each.
Mrs. Gilmer then entered her carriage
and was driven home alone. About 1890
O'Clock Mr.. Gilmer had all of his arrange
ments completed, and left the stable on
tour of investigation. He walked d.
rect to the rear door of his mothers
house, opened it and entered. Here he
hesitated and took off his shoes so as
not to be heard walking in the house.
Passing through the hall to the front
stairway he assembled to the second floor,
and walked direct to a bedroom door,
where he heard Holland and his wife
talking. Gilmer did not know whether
it would be the best plan to rush into
the room and open fire, or to wait for
Holland to come out into the hall. After
rectly opposite the bedroom door, and
made final arrangeme nts to shoot Hol-
land.
While Mr.. Gilmer was waiting in the
closet, the bedroom door was opened,
gradually swinging back, and Mr.. Gilmer
had good view of the room. There
was no light in it, except that given by
a low fire in the CRATE, which was suffi-
Gent to distinguish any one in the room.
After a short while, Holland and Mrs.
Gilmer, who werein the bedroom, walked
over to the fireplace and stood there
talking. Holland was now ready to de-
part. Mr.. Gilmer could not wait for Hol
> land to come from the room. as he was
now wrought up to the highest pitch and
determined to shoot to kill rushing into
the room he flashed his dark lantern in
Hollands face and fred one shot. Hol
land fell to the floor. Mrs. Gilmer rushed
down stairs, screaming. Her husband
, locked the bedroom door and followed
her. His mother, who was sleeping ii
the room below, was awakened by thu
= report of the revolver and the noise o
Holland falling on the floor, rushed Out
| into the hall in her night dress and b.
her entreaties arrested further action OF
the part of Mr.. Gilmer.
By this time the excitement had spread
and Mr.. Gilmer left the house and spen
q the night with Mr.. Glenn Wright, a neigh
d Dor.
Q Some one sent for doctor to atten
Holland, who, in the meantime, however
: recovered sufficiently to open the window
i. and climbing out on the poarch roo
8 jumped to the yard and ran towards tn
y depot, leaving tracks of blood behind.
. 1t was now midnight, and fortunatel
q for Holland the north-bound train wa
!. about two hours late. He at once lei
n for Danville where he is at present suffer
,. ing from the effects of the shot. Th
}. bullet made an ugly flesh wound in th
>. groin, and it is supposed blood-poiso
:. has set in. News reached this place th
I. morning that a prominent physical
from Richmond came to Danville yeste
E day to attend Holland, and probe fc
:, the bullet, providing he had strengt
,e enough to undergo the operation
t The morning after the trouble NJ
II Gilmer took the north-bound train fe
New York to spend a few days, and r
- cuperate from the recent strain A tel
- gram from Mr.. J. F. Jordan, his boso1
~ friend and business partner, overtoo
J. him at Washington, requesting him t
r return at once, which he did, Mr.. CLINE
Is can be seen at his place of business ever
,e day. Although afflicted with a heav
heart Mr.. Gilmer's face wears it's usu,
cheerful smile
Q Nothing could be learned from Mr.
: Gilmer. She positively refuses to tai
y on the matter. Mr.. Gilmer has lit
q to say. Mr.. Jordan is his confidentif