The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-25
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
JOHN PERKINS DELIBERATE MIR
DER OF SAMUEL GIBSON.

Killed Him For No Apparent Reason,
Hut to Use His PistoI-GibsOn's
Death Instantaneous-His slayer
Arrested by COIored Man aud
Turned over TO the POIice-The
Coroner's investigation.
Savannah had its usual Christmas killing,
as a matter OF course. Sammy Gibson,
colored, IS years old, was shot and killed
about midnight by Johnny Perkins, an
other colored youth OF about the same age.
The shooting took place at the corner
OF Bay and Farm streets. So far as
could be learned there was no cause what
ever for the shooting, except a desire on
the part Of Perkins to make a free use
of his pistol He had already shot TT
Gibson az West Broad and South Broad
streets about an hour before, but did not
hit him. When he met Gibson at Bay
and Farm streets he drew his pistol ana
shot him through the heart
If there was any love affair Of any pre-
Yious falling out between the two boys
the companions who were with them did
not seem to know anything about it, All
they could tell was that Perkins was
strolling along West Broad street about II
o'clock in company with three or foJr
other worthless young fellows, some OF
whom had guitars when they met Glib
son, who was accompanied by about the
same sort OF crowd. There was a dis
pute about something, nobody seemed to
know what, when Perkins jerKed out his
pistol and fired three shots at Gibson.
Gibson was not hit. and ran off toward
Yamacraw.
About quarter to II o'clock Policeman
Barrett was coming through Coopershop
lane TO Farm street when ne heard tour
shots from the other end of the lane. Pres
emily four young negroes came by, one
of whom he recognized as Perkins. ii
was a dark corner, and they did not see
the policeman. As they passed, Barrett
yet" He took after Perkins
and ran him down d lane a piece, but the
fellow escaped in the dark
1t was only a few minutes later when
Policeman Barrett, who was then at the
corner of Bay and Farm streets, hedrd
two pistol shots and saw negro on the
opposite side of the street throw up ms
hands and stagger. The man was Haught
in the arms OF ano-ner negro, VINO let min
down TO the pavement 1t was Perkins,
who had come mp On Gibson at the corner
and had shot him.
There were several cye-witnesses to the
shooting. They So id that Gibson was
standing on the southwest corner when
Perkins came up Bay street As soon as
he saw Gibson he exclaimed There's
that - - now, and jumped inside
of a shop dor ana drew his pistol jump
ed outside the door and behind a barrel,
and fired. lie fred n second shot at the
feet of a companion Of Gibson, and ran OF
towards me Bay street bridge.
A negro boy. who pursued nm, sald
Perkins fred one shot at him at the
bridge. Policeman barrett, seeing Per-
kins run, took down Lumber street, think
ing that he was headed in that direction.
Perkins crossed the bridge. however, to
the other side of the canal. About an hour
later Samuel Green, who had started to
the house of Gibson's father on CASTOR
street, TO notify him OF his sons death,
met Perkins at the corner OF Sims and
West Broad streets. He put him under
arrest and turned him over to a police
man 4 companion Of Perkins and anoth-
Ell witness were also arrested and held 10
appear before the coroner's Inquest, which
will be held to-day.
Coroner Goette took charge of the BODY
and removed it to the home of Gibson $
father, on CASTOR street, near Montgon-
cry.