The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-10
NEIGHBoRS IN DEADLY FEUD.
ALLEGED ASSAULT ON A WOMAN
LED TO 4 HOMICIDE.


II. n. Bennett Shot and Killed by
John W. Harris Nenr Odum-It Was
Charged That Bennctt Attempted
an> Assault on Harris Wife-Ben-
net sought out Harris and WAS
kilIed-BOth Men Belong to PrOm-
inent Families.
Odum, Ga, June 9.--F'ive miles south of
here was the scene OF one of the most Sc
rious homicides that has occurred in this
county for years.
John w. Harris shot and instantly killed
II. r. Bennett. Both men are prominent,
and they are connected with two OF the
most prominent families OF this wection.
Bennett was a prominent farmer and a
member OF the Primitive Baptist Church
and near neighbor of Harris.
Some ten days ago Bennett went 10
Harris house, knowing that Harris was
gone. and that there was no one at homo
but Harris wife, and It is charged, at
tempted a criminal assault on Harris
wife, but not carrying out his desire he
told her If she told Harris or his own wife
that he would deny 1t and make her Gus
a liar. and that would cause trouble.
On Harris return hs wife acquainted
him with the whole affair whereupon he
told friend that he did not desire to get
into serious trouble, and that he Intended
that Bennett should apologize and keen
away from his house in the future.
On Monday last Mrs. Bennett and her
two daughters went to Harris house on
a visit, and MES. Harris related the whole
story 20 her. on her return home she ac-
costed her husband about It which he
strongly denied and on yesterday evening
he took his gun and went to Harris home.
Harris Makes a Statement.
In his statement Harris said: II had
started to go fishing. and having been sick
found that / was not able to walk tho
distance, and had returned and was sit
ting on my back door step, when Bennett
walked through my field and the first
saw of him he was coming from behind
my kitchen with his gun. He walked up
and said he had come TO know what kind
Of lies me and my wife had been telling
on him. 1 told him we had told none,
and l wanted him to leave me alone, as
] was sick and that when / got weli
would see him and we would then set
tie It..
Tile said il had to be settled now, and
presented his gun. ! saw he Intended to
shoot, and ! jumped up in the shed. In
the meantime. he fired on me. / ran Into
the house and closed the door and got my
Winchester. stepped back TO the closed
window and saw through the cracks that
he was coming on around the house, and
l pushed the window open and fred
Immediately ran to the door and opened IL
slightly and fired two more shots and saw
him fall che last shot. | then jumped out
the door and ran to my uncle's, a mis
away, where my wife had gone on visit.
and there related the matter to my uncle.
also sent a boy to notify Mrs. Bennett"
The killing occurred about o'clock yes
terday evening, and this morning early
Coroner Surrency empanelod q jury, and
after thorough investigation the jury
turned in a verdict OF justlfable homi-
eide.
The evidence and all surroundings go to
verify Harris statement The sad affair
Is to be regretted, as Bennett was a man
with a family having several grown
daughters, and young Harris was man
with bright future and the son Of Col
S. r. Harris, prominent lawyer OF this
county.