The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-23

Hamilton Says That wall shot Him
without PrOvOcation or Excuse.

Sanitary Inspector ". NJ. Wall is still
held at the station house on charge Of
assault with intent 10 murder Lewis Ham
| nton. whom ne shot in the stomach Sat-
urday night. Hamilton's condition is pro-
nounced by his attending physician, DR..
stothart to be precarious and but little
! hope Of his recovery is entertained.
Wall still contends that he was attack
ed and assaulted by two or more negroes,
Of whom Hamilton was one, and that they
were beating him when he fired He de-
clares that he was in their hands and be-
ing cruelty deal with, and it was neces-
sary for him to shoot in order to preserve
his own life. He recognized none Of his
assailauts, 50 sudden and fierce was the
attack. and remembers scarcely anything
from the time he was assaulted until he
managed to draw his revolver from his
pocket and fire.
Hamilton tells quite a different story. He
was seen at his home yesterday by Coro-
ner Gootte. and when advised Of his con-
ditiou and his probable early death, eX-
pressed q desire to make a fun statement
of all the circumstances connected with
the shooting, as he knew them. Hamil-
ton IS negro of about So, who has been
for long time I'm the employ Of the street
and lane department of the city, driving
one Of the scaVenger wagons. He appears
to be respectable and bears a good repu-
tation with those who have had him under
their charge and for whom he has worked.
He declares that while he was passing
along West Broad street, nearing Hunting
DON on Saturday night, he met Wall who
was coming directly towards him, going
south. He noticed that the inspector had
evidently been drinking. Hamilton says
that he kept to the right side of the walk,
and that he and Wall came face to face.
He moved 10 one side. and so did Wall
and for a little time they kept in front
of each other. as pedestrians who are try
ing 20 pass each other sometimes will. The
Inspector seemed to be much angered
Hamilton says that Wall exclaimed
What do you mean? Do you want TO run
over me2 If you Try to run over me, IN
blow your brains out" He had
scarcely got these words out Of his mouth
when he did draw his revolver and fire.
He continued 10 fire. until Hamilton man
aged TO get near enough to him to deal a
back-handed blow, that felled him to the
ground.
According to Hamilton's story, the in
spector was trying to get another shot at
him, when William Taylor another ne
gro, came up Taylor held Wall while the
latter walked to the nearest Gamewell
box and opened IL with the key he carried,
and with which all the sanitary inspectors
are provided. lie teiephoned for the wag-
on himself and surrendered to the police
man who came out in it,
A few days ago Wall was arrested for
an assault that he was charged with hav-
ing committed on a negro named Perry
Hamilton. He states that the negro Lew
is Hamilton and his friends assaulted MIN
ia revenge for this fancied wrong and in
jury. There seems to be, though, no evil
dence other than his own statement to
support the story that he was attacked
by a crowd. If the diagnosis Of the seri-
BUSINESS Of Hamntons wound should prove
incorrect and it is found that there is
chance of his recovery, DR. Stothart will
so stale at the barracks to-day. and Wall
win be in all proba bility. released ON bail.