The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-08
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THE DUNN-WILLIS SHOOTING.
Another and Fuller Version of the
Unhappy Affair.

Mariana, Fla, July 5-The writer's at
tenton has been called to a clipping from
Savannah (Ga) paper dated from Balm
bridge Ga, June 27, and reads as follows:
Sheriff Patterson to-day arrested Clinton
Dunn and lodged him in jail, Dunn is
shot through the head and thigh, but Is
not thought to be dangerously wounded
Clinton Dunn and his two brothers, Joe
ana john went from Griffin, about seven
months ago, and located in Jackson coun-
ty, Florida, about forty miles west of Balm
bridge and engaged in farming and mer-
camille business. They furnished sup
plies to one Willis, engaged in the timber
business, and failed 20 get pay for the
goods furnished. After making demand
on Willis for their account they levied on
Willis timber, and on last Friday they
met az NeaHs Landing, where a general
row was entered into, which resulted in
Clinton Dunn being shot through the head
and thigh by Willis and Willis was shot
in the stomach by John Dunn and thought
to be seriously wounded. willis also shot
John Dunn in the SIDE but only inflicted
flesh wound. John Dunn made his es-
cape. Willis is in the custody of the Off
GERS at his home near Meals Leading"
In view of the fact that the reporter has
been very much misinformed deem that
that the exact facts be given, as the par
lies on both sides heretofore, so far as
have been able to ascertain, have stood
We'll The facts as given in before the
coroners jury, over the body of Milton
Willis, your writer being present are as
follows: Messrs. Milton and Hilliard
Willis who were engaged al Meals Land
ing in the timber business had bought a
few articles Of supplies from c. Joe Dunn
nd
warehouse at Meals Landing. Clinton
and John Dunn, who were brothers of C.
j. Dunn, were assisting him in carrying
on his business. The Willis brothers Of
fered to settle with Dunn for the supplies
bought, provided he would allow them for
some offsets they (the Willis brothers)
claimed and which, prior TO this time
Dunn had admitted were correct; at this
time Dunn refused TO allow the setoffs
and said that he would have their timber
attached for the debt. Dunn Immediately
procured attachment papers and had all
the Willis timber both in the boom and
some on banks not yet dumped, attached
That evening the Willis brothers replevied
the timber and gave bond for n, which was
accepted by the court. The next morning
which was Friday, June q, the Willis
brothers instructed their hands to go
ahead and dump the balance of the timber
in the river. The hands proceeded to the
river, distance of about one mile from
their camp, and commenced dumping the
timber, but being warned by the Dunns
that if they did not desire to lose their
lives they had best to quit and leave at
once. (which they did One of the hands
at once proceeded to the willis home in
Greenwood, about twelve miles from
Meals Landing, to inform the Willises
that the Dunns had stopped them from
work When about five miles out he met
Mr.. Willis and informed him of what
Dunn had said. Mr.. Willis goes on and
stops by the house of the justice and Is
informed by him (the JUSTICE that the
Dunns have no authority to bother the
timber. He proceeds to his log landing
and at once has his hands to commence
work dumping. Only few minutes had
elapsed when G. Joe Dunn came down and
forbade willis from dumping any further
saying that the replevin bond was not
worth DIN. Willis replies that the bond
has been accepted by the court and we
propose to raft this timber About
this time John Dunn appears on the
scene and c. Joe Dunn tells him to go to
the store and get his rifle. He did not GO
but Immediately draws his pistol and pre-
sents it on Milton Willis. About this time
the third brother, Clinton Dunn, comes on
the scene with a large club, and is In
structed by one of the Dunns to bust h-u
Milton Willis across the head; Just at this
juncture Hillard Willis jumps on Clinton
Dunn and they have. a fist fight for few
seconds. Al the same time c. Joe Dunn
clinches Milton Willis and holds him while
John Dunn runs TO his back and com
mences shooting him (Miton Wills) At
the termination OF the fight it was found
that Milton Wills had been shot twice in
the back and had a scalp confusion, sup
posed 10 have been caused by the club
used by Clinton Dunn. One of the balls
passed through the body of Milton Willis.
and it Is thought to be the same bali tina
hit Clinton Dunn in the thigh. Milton VIII
lis had a pistol, but did not get il out at
all, but same was taken from his pocket
by c. Joe Dunn, when he had him clinch-
ed. Clinton was the only one of the Dunns
that was wounded. Milton Willis died OF
his wounds on Sunday morning. June 26,
about O'Clock
c. Joe and Clinton Dunn were arrested
at Albany and cambridge, Ga, respective
~, and are now lodged in Jail at this place.
John Dunn has made his escape.
Htllard Wills, the surviving brother who
was in the fight. Is not In the custody Of
the officers as reported. B.