The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-05-09
an UNFORTUNATE AFFAIR.
Rev. ". z. Johnson, Of Bamberg, Kills
Vim. T. Bellinger.

Rev. ". e. johnson, Pastor Of the
Baptist Church at Bamberg, slot and
killed Mr.. William T. Bellinger, court
stenographer for that judicial circuit,
on the streets Of that town last Friday
with shot gun. The first and princi-
pal witness at the coroner's inquest
was Mr.. Joe Brown. He testified that
he went to Rev. MI. Johnson's house
Friday morning to see him relative to
some trouble johnson had the previous
day with the deceased's father, John
R. Bellinger, Esq; was told by Mr..
johnson that he had been badly treated
by MIR. Bellinger; did not advise him
as to what course to take. They then
went to the postoficc together. To the
question of Solicitor Townsend as to
whether he got a pistol at the postohce,
he replied that he had. Did not know
to whom it belonged. WAS in my
buggy when I saw Willie T. Bellinger
crossing campus Of fitting school and
Mr.. johnson coming out of his house,
opposite, having a shotgun. Mr..
Bellinger drew his pistol and fred
at Mr.. johnson once before the latter
fred" Thinks the second shot from
Mr.. Bellinger's pistol was simultaneous
with the report of Mr.. Johnson's shot
gun. Mr.. Bellinger fell Immediately,
and witness thinks ne was shot once
after he fell. Upon being questioned,
Mr.. Brown replied that he provided
himself with the pistol on account of
trouble he expected at his place with
hand. Mr.. Johnson returned to his
house after the trouble was over.
DR.. B. D. Bronson testified that
upon being called to the place Of the
trouble Mr.. Bellinger lived about 80
seconds or minute longer. II knew
be vas mortally wounded; found 20
wounds on his right side, II from buck
shot, the remainder from smaller shot,
penetrating the right lung and liver.
Col. Robert Aldrich, retained by the
defendant, was present at the inquest.
The verdict Of the jury was that de-
ceased came to his death by a gunshot
wound at the hands Of W. E. johnson.
Mr.. johnson has been pastor Of the
Baptist church for three years. The
deceased is about 25 years old, and is
the son Of John &. Bellinger, Esq,
attorney.
Another account says trouble between
the two began Friday over the painting
Of g line fence between the premises Of
John R. Bellinger, father Of the
deceased, and the Baptist parsonage, at
which time it is said hot words were
passed and pistol was drawn by Bellin-
ger. Friday morning as young Bellinger
was returning from the postoface to his
fathers residence Mr.. johnson, armed
with a double barreled shotgun, accosted
him in front of the Carlisle Fitting
school, few words were passed, few
shots were exchanged and young Bel
lirger lay dying on the ground with a
smoking pistol in his right hand.
After the shooting occurred Mr.. John
son walked quietly into his house, un-
hurt, and remained there until about l
o'clock when he went down to the jail
and surrendered to Sheriff Hunter. AS
to how the affair started and as to who
shot first there is considerable diversity
Of opinion. but it is generally claimed
that Mr.. Bellinger shot first and that
Mr.. johnson only shot once. Bel
fingers pistol had four empty chambers
and he probably shot four times, twice
at least after he had fallen mortally
wounded. Bellinger was struck in the
right side by twelve buck and eight
small shot, which penetrated his lungs
and liver, causing almost instant death.
The families connected with the un-
fortunate affair are two Of the most
prominent and influential in the town.