The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-15
Messenger Bureau, Park Hotel,

Messenger Bureau, Park Hotel,
Raleigh, n. G.. October IL.
A terrible double crime was committed
in the northern part of Raleigh at Gas
O'Clock this morning. AL Watson, son
OF Engineer Glib Watson. (who lost his
life in the railway collision near Rock
ingham last year. shot his wife and then
blew out his own brains. He was a ma
chinist at the Seaboard Air Line repair
shops here and was married July 18th
last. He and his wife were quite young.
He was drinking yesterday and was very
quarrelsome. He became angry with her
because she reproached him for drinking.
Her little sister, Katie Pearce, aged Is
years, was in the house last night when
Watson threw his wife violently to the
floor. He then left but returned, and it
seemed there was q reconciliation. But
early this morning the little girl heard
her sister crying. She said she was going
to leave and would kill herself. He said,
Il will kill you before you CO." DO So"
she replied, and then you will be hang
ed. He said: II will kill you and my
self" The girl ran to call help. AS she
re-entered the room Watson threw his
wife on the bed and shot her in the side,
then stood up and blew out his brains.
as hO ItiI, thC oy lhS III
herself from the bed and crawled to his
side. He died at 9:2O o'clock.
1.-THE Associated Press last night fur
nished the following account of this
horrible tragedy: On the 18th day of
last April Albert l.. Watson, then Fl
years old, and Ada F. Pierce, IS years
old, were married. Watson was a prom
inent young mechanic and commanded
a good salary. The young bride was
beautiful in person and in character.
Today the young husband lies dead
and the young wife seriously wounded
at their cottage home in this city, both
victims of a tragedy which has created
a sensation all over the town.
Watson has for some weeks been
drinking and on yesterday he went
home intoxicated. He continued drink
ing despite the pleadings of his young
wife, who finally began Gliding him
with his conduct.
Early this morning he began drink
ing again, although he had not fully re-
covered from his drunkenness of yes
terday. The young wife was almost
beside herself. She begged and pleaded
with him, but without avail, and finally
started to cave the room.
Where are you gOing?" he asked.
Anywhere" she answered.
Her young sister came in about that
time and tried to smooth things over,
begging her brother-in-law and her
sister 10 De quiet.
II think I will kill you both and then
myself said the husband. Five min
utes later he drew a pistol which he
had had concealed, shot his wife and
then shot himself. He died in a few
minutes. The young wife still fingers
between life n death.]
belonging to Governor Russell is that of
being the only republican to bring an
accusation of excessive zeal for the party
that at a meeting of the inner circle of
Russellites, held at Wilmington last
week, at which the governor presided, it
was determined. at his suggestion, to
against a gentleman in the civil service.
was suspected of aspiring to a
federal appointment. 1t was intended to
the scheme a dead secret until the
bomb should explode under the luckless
but the walls had ears, and
SO the story is out. 1t is understood that
the intended victim Of his plot says
his pernicious activity consisted in
voting for Russell last year, a sin for
which he, in common with many other
has repented.
A queer political rumor developed to- !
day, being nothing less than that there
Is a movement to have Judge Dick, of |
Greensboro, of the western United States |
district court, resign, and that Senator |
be his successor. 1t is asserted |
that the senator desires his position.
The Cumnock coal mine was odd Fri /
day, and Saturday the commissioners, |
John w. Hinsdale, A. H. Taylor and T.
Womack, filed their report with the
Of the United States court, recon-
nending confirmation. The property
$4,000, and George Burnham,
the first mortgage bond
holders. was the buyer.
The state agricultural department to-
lay received a copy of a notice to trans,
oortation companies, stock men and
,thers. issued by e. P. Niles. state
quarantine against North Carolina cattle.
t says that the order of September 9th.
Iuarantining against all North Carolina
attic is revoked, because the state of
forth Carolina has taken steps to rigidly |
nforce the quarantine rules and regula.
of that state, and that the intro
of tick infested cattle into Viz
ansa WI thn not be repeated; and also be-
wners have formed themselves into an
ssociation to guard against quarantine
The statement of the first quarters
usiness of the Louisburg liquor dispen-
airy is not a good one. The dispensary I
no big financial success. The gross re.
eipts were ~s2,57e.65, and the net profit
Governor Russell does not appear to
Ike Friday as ~"hangman's day." for he
Ed. Purvis, the sick murderer
I tlagman Blackwell to Wednesday,
18th.
Moses G. Todd, who is the leader of
Mormons in this county, was edu-
ated for the ministry at Wake Forest
y Hepzibah Baptist church. His son has
ow gone to Utah 10 become a mission
ry."
State Treasury Worth has thus far
allied to explain how he lent the peni-
sntlary superintendent $4,000 of state
lnds. There is no law for the loan.
1T appears that the widow of Bill Nye
Ast $500, all she had. in the failure of
lie First National bank at AshevilIe.
A very large gold nugget was found
his week in Montgomery county. 1t
eighs several pounds. {
1t is announced that the republicans in
lie piedmont and mountain section are
SICK unto death of Governor Russell.
Ex-Judge George v: Strong died here
esterday morning of pareses. aged 6S =. i
ears. He was a lawyer of great ability s
nd was for years a partner of the late !
hief Justice w. N. H. Smith. His
was held this afternoon. His
tie of judge was acquired when in
1913 he held the criminal court Of {
lake.
The trustees of the state university S