The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-29
NEGROES SHOUT AND SHOOT.
WEDDING ENDED IN A FATALITY
AT WHITE BLUFF.

Musket. Lights Were ENtinguished
and the Weapon Fired-COrOner's
Jury Fixed the Blame, and the Ac-
cused Surrendered Himself to the
Police.
Frederick McKeever, colored, was lock-
ed in the police barracks at the instance
of Coroner Goette last night, charged with
the murder of Thomas Johnson, another
negro, who was shot and killed at White
Bluff Thursday night.
McKeever came to Savannah to surren,
der himself on learning the Coroner's jury
held him for The crime.
The facts surrounding the tragedy are
not altogether clear, because of an incon-
gruity in the jury's verdict and by
statement by the accused. Yesterday
negro notified Coroner Goette that a man
had been killed the night previous in
fracas at a dance hall near White Bluff.
For the purpose of investigating the mat
ter the Coroner at once started for tina.
place and arrived within short time.
1t appeared from statements by differ
ent negroes regarding the affair that there
was a wedding The Thursday night in the
Mount Olive hail, and after the ceremony
the negroes were engaged in the usual
Shouting" as a mark of res ect and con-
graduation to the newly married While
this was in progress McKeever seems to
have appeared in the room with long,
awe-inspiring musket, which he lifted up
and silently commanded all present to
"swing" The presence of McKeever arm
4 At ia
of the shouting was regarded by many
as probable signal for sweep and
considerable fright at once arose.
AS if by some understanding, the lights
went out and the occupants of the room
pitched for the door in a solid phalanx,
laundering over one another and appar-
emily caring nothing for who might be
trampled under foot in The rush from the
wrath to come "Bang!' went the mus
ket, and at the same time there was a
scream from those near the door, and
wailing, which told that the shot had not
failed. For some time great excitement
prevailed, and when a light was obtained
ii was found that Thomas Johnson had
the top of his head blown off and was ly-
ing dead with his feet in the door and his
body stretched on the steps.
Daniel Hamilton was shot in the back
of the neck and shoulders, having also
received other injuries about the legs from
a spoonful of birdshot, which penetrated
his body. Two others are said to have
been shot, but not seriously.
Il shoot de gun-what about it?" Nc
Keever SAID after the excitement was al
layed.
Such were the circumstances in brief as
reported to Coroner Gootte. He proceeded
to summon jury of inquest for the pHr-
Of tr11r1
OF the dead negro. The excitement the
killing produced caused the negroes who
were present 10 fee to the woods like
rabbits, and the Coroner had trouble get
ting at the facts. Only four Witnesses
were examined. Their testimony in a
nutshell was that McKeever appeared at
the door with the musket and was told
by another negro, Clarence Bradley not
to enter the hall with it, as the crowd
was shouting" and an ugly imminent
OF warfare might produce a tumult This
he would not heed. however, but went to
ne center of the hall, carrying the wea-
pom at arms support"
Bradley said he knew trouble was COM
ing and rushed from the hail. Everybody
else seems to have known McKeeyer, who
IS SAID to be an aggressive and dangerous
character, and ali intuitively sought re-
fuge in flight The lights then went out
and the shooting took place with results
dS StdIS'i. ne testimony pointed TO the
fact that MckeeVer entered with the gun
and the Lights went out as if by an under
standing. The jury retired and shortly
after rendered a verdict that Johnson came
TO his death by a gun shot fired by Nc
keever and adjudged the crime to be MUIR
der.
Taking in the situation and knowing
that McKeever would flee or learning he
was charged with murder, Coroner Goette
adopted plan for catching him, which
was by telling the crowd at the inquest
that the tragedy was an accident The
Coroner also sent word for McKeever TO
call at his Office and make a statement re-
garding the shooting The plan worked
to perfection and about . O'Clock the ne
gro appeared at the Coroner's Office on
Broughton street The police were noti-
fed and soon placed the man under ar
rest and put him in tho station house. The
arrest was somewhat of a surprise to the
negro, as we'll as his stepfather, who ac-
companied him to the city.
whether Mckeever surrendered on ac-
count of the message received from Coro-
ner Goette, or from sense of innocence is
not known. He was seen at the barra clxs
last night by Morning News reporter. and
asked if he fired the gun. He is iliterate
and seemed unable to make a clear state
ment of the matter From what he saws
however he Is not implicated at all except
as A peacemaker.
Edward Munger and Nancy King were
married at the hall" he said. ~ am
member Of the Mt. Olive Club and arrang-
ed for the hail, agreeing 10 see that good
order was kept. Harry Bartes and Dave
Scipio got into a fight and pounded each
other Tor some time while the Shouting,
was on. They We're separated. and Dave
Bartes went to Harris ButIer,s
house nearby and got the mus
ket. When he appeared at the
door, said there would be trouble If the
musket was taken in the hall He started
by and | grabbed the gun, when we had
a scramble for it in the doorway. In the
tussle 1t was discharged Just after the
lights went out ! was acting doorkeaDer
and had to preserve order. When I receiv,
ed the coroner's message to come TO tbe
city l did so, thinking 1 had done noth-
ing wrong"
The negroes statement about the GIN &c
corroborated in some respects. II was
seen at the coroner's office, and has tho
initials H. b.. on the stock. ipdicating
II was probably the property of Butler
There is, however an inoongruitv between
his statement and the jury's verdict which
may not be reconciled until the scared
witnesses are found and more light nro-
duced. As the matter stands now how.
ever, McKeever is held on the charge Of
faf boe.