The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-25
SHOT IN A POLITICAL FRACAS.
w. II. DAGLEY ACCUSED OF SHOOT
ING II. VI. ADAMS.

10th Candidates for the Legislature
From ChattnhoOchee County-BaG-
ley the POpuIIst Nominee and
Adams the Democratic Nominee.
Two Stories Told of the Affair.
Adams Friends state the Killing
Was Done by BagIey and BagIey's
Friends Say 1t Is Impossible to
Tell Who Did the Deed-KIIIing
Occurs in General Fight.
Cusseta, Ga, Aug. 2L-Cusseta was
greatly shocked this morning upon learn
ing that w. II. Bagley, Populist nominee
for representative was alleged TO have
killed Col. T. NJ. Adams. Democratic nom
inee for the same Office
The killing occurred at a political meet
ing near Giles last night.
The story has two Sides A close friend
of Adams says: 'tBagley accused Adams
of charging usury on all money he loan
ed, placing interest al 25 per cent. In his
speech Adams spoke highly of Bagley and
denied he ever charged 25 per cent. inter-
est. Bagley replied stating he did charge
% per cent. on money, saying he would
prove It, Bagley asked JEFF Davis, COL
ored coroner, If Adams did not charge
him 25 per cent. on money borrowed once.
Davis denied that Adams had made such
charge. Bagley and Davis then got into
an argument, Bagley rushing for the ne
gro. Matt Williams, a one-armed negro
preacher, came up to separate them and
Bagley hit him over tho head with a
stick"
1t Is reported tonight that williams Is
critically ILL.,
I'm the meantime" continues the
friends story, during the scufIie, Adams
got hold of Bagley's arm and asked him
not to have any difficulty. Bagley said
to Adams; You are the cause of all this
trouble and hit him over the head with
a stick, pushed him against wagon
standing nearby, placed his pistol against
his stomach and fired. killing Mar. Adams
almost instantly AS he fell. Adams ex-
claimed 4 am dead man."
One of Bagley's friends says: 1T was
impossible for you to tell who did the
shooting; there were fifteen or twenty
pistol shots and It was very dark"
Bagley, upon hearing that he was ac-
cused of the murder came to Cusseta and
gave himself up to the authorities. and
is now IN Jail Commitment trial viii be
held tomorrow afternoon
In Mr.. Adams death Chattahoochee
county loses one of her most prominent
and influential citizens. He repeatedly
said 20 citizens here he did not want
to be nominated for representative, and
when he was nominated people here we're
at loss 10 know whether or not he would
he I'm rntfa fr,
run, and thanking the citizens for tho
honor conferred upon him, took off his
coat and went to work vigorously. Adams
was a wealthy man. He had $4,000 insur-
ance In benevolent orders In Columbus and
a policy for 5000 in an od-llne company,
which arrived only last night, and is stlll
in the hands of the agent, who refused
to deliver 1t to Adams agent when the
amount Of the premium was rendered to-
day.
Adams was about As years of age and
had a family.
Bagley is ex-sheriff OF Chattahoochee
county, having served four years. He
made the race for ordinary two years ago,
but was defeated. He Is the Populist
leader in Chattahoochee.
The killing will doubtless give the Pop
ulists a black eye.
Prof j. r. Gordy, Populist nominee for
tax collector. said to-day he was done
with politics, and somebody else would
have to run in his place
The affair has created most intense
excitement, extending to adjoining coun-
ties, where the parties were well and prom
inently known.
At the commitment trial at Cusseta to-
morrow Bagley will be represented by c.
G. Mlnter and c. j. Thornton of Column
bus. Eugene Wynn win appear for the
state.
Some sensational Developments are
promised