Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-07-06


Dispatch went up to Powhatan Courthouse
on the Monday afternoon train and Mon
day night senf the following detailed ac-
count of the Flanagan-Pilkinton tragedy:
estate Senator William M. Flanagan
was shot and instantly killed here today.
w. G. Pilkinton who killed him, is now in
the Richmond city Jail. The body of Sem
ator Flanagan is at his costly little home
here, surrounded by his sorrowing family,
consisting of his wife and ten children.
None of his children are over II years Of
age.
"There were at least three eye witnesses
of the shooting. All agree that Senator
Flanagan was the agressor; that he struck
Pilkinton heavily in the face at least three
times before the shot was fired. 1t is also
universally averred that the recent heated
political campaign in this county caused
the killing. The shooting occurred about
IL o'clock this morning in the portico OF
the courthouse.
"This was county court day and large
number of people were about the court
house, chiefly in the building and on the
green. Senator Flanagan, who was Com
monwealth's Attorney of the county, was
in the courthouse arranging the summon
ing Of special grand jury. Judge Miller
had adjourned court for short time until
the grand jury should have been summon
ed. Mr.. Pilkinton, was standing in the
porch conversng with Mr.. w. S. Goode,
commissioner of the revenue-elect.
FLANAGAN ATTACKED HIM.
Senator Flanagan completed his work
in the court room and started to leave the
building. What followed is agreed upon
by witnesses. There is no contradiction
rs to that Mr.. Pilklnton evidently did not
see Mr. Flanagan, though he was facing
the door from the side. Pilkinton was
deeply engrossed in conversation With MIR
Goode, whose back was to the door. Mr.
Goode says he felt somebody press heavily
upon his back and shoulders. An instant
later Senator Flanagan reached by hin
and seized Pilkinton by the collar, posi-
J bly, by the throat. He struck him in th,
face with great force at least three times
Goode attempted to catch Flanagan's S arm
He missed it and caught him by the Goa
under the arm. He had not hold suffi
t GENTLY strong enough to stay the blows
E Nobody says that Mr.. Pilkinton had ye
done anything to defend himself. Sens
n tor Flanagan forced Pilkinton back agains
n the wall. Mr.. Goode says there is n
:. doubt that he now had his man by Ii
|, throat and was choking him. Pilkinto
called out something and the men clincl
ed. Then. while backed against the wal
Pilkinton drew from his hip pocket a 8
calabre Smith and Wesson double-actiC
six.shooter.
. Constable Robert Winfree says he seizt
~ Pilkinton's arm with his left hand and Il
pistol in his right. He tried to raise Il
nuzzle, so that the ball would 60 ov
e. Flanagan's head. The barrel was betwe
u Winfree's fingers. There was sha
Oh crack. Winfree says the force used
~ Pilkinton in trying to gain the revolv
OF from his clutches caused the pistol 10
IT, discharged. Senator Flanagan staggar
back. He threw one hand to his brea
ne 81 am shot, he exclaimed. Mr., Goo
Ell says the wounded man, though within
minute of eternity, made another step
* ward his antagonist. Then he paused,
ALI blood began to issue from his mouth &
9H- nose, he half turned away, and seemed
stagger. Il am dead man. he said,
fth husky tones. Almost at the same nom
lcl- he fell. Mr.. j. Haskins Hobson eau
ad' him in his arms and laid him down on
Brick floor at the foot of one of the
ets' columns. In little more than sixty
ouV onds the lawyer. politician, partisan, fil
Ns' er, had breathed his last, bathed IN
own blood.
oie' "Mr. Pilkinton had not moved.
stood with the smoking pistol in his he
1elr He was very pale. Eyewitness say
es' appeared greatly excited. A deputy s
ock iff came up and took his pistol from
the and he was placed under arrest.
the shooting had been witnessed but by
But the yard was full of people. 7
had heard the shot and rushed to
scene. There was much excitement,
Vid ,,o+ ca pou,.h &c rnioht he exnected.