The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-05-09
KILLED BY A PREACHER.
Rev. w. e. johnson, who was Well
Known in Abbeville County, Shot
w. r. Bellinger in Bambnrg Last
Friday.
The State.

The State.
Trouble between the two began yesterday
over the painting Of q line fence between the
premises OF John r. Bellinger. father Of the
time it is said hot words were passed and a
pistol was drawn by Bellinger;;,
"This morning as young Bellinger was re-
turning from the post office to his fathers
residence Mr.. Johnson, armed with double
barreled shot gun. accosted him In front OF
the Carlisle fitting school,. q few words were
passed, a few shots were exchanged and yonpg
Bellinger lay dying on the ground with a
"After the shooting occurred Mr.. johnson
walked quietly into his house, unhurt, and
remained there until about o'clock when he
went down to the Jail and surrended to
sheriff Hunter.
"As to how the affair started this morning
and as to who shot first there Is considerable
ed that Mr.. Bellinger shot first and that Mr..
Johnson only shot once. Bellinger's pistol
shot four times. twice at least after he had
fallen mSraiy Sda be wsxa 5 was
eight small shot, which penetrated his lungs
and liver, causing almost instant death.
1.-The families connected with the unfortu-
nate affair are two OF the most prominent
and influential In the town."
report Of the proceedings Of the coroner's
inquest appears in The State as follows: -,
''rhe coroner's jury held the Inquest this
was MIR. Joe Brown. He testified that he
went to the Rev. Mr.. Johnson's house this
morning TO see him relative to some trouble
johnson had the previous day with the de-
ceaseds father. John Z. Bellinger, ESQ.,, was
told by Mr.. Johnson that he had been badly
treated by MIR. Bellinger Ibid not advise him
as to what course to take.
''rhey then went to the post office together.
"To the question OF Solicitor Townsend as
to whether he got pistol at the post Office,
he replied that he had. Did not know to
whom 1t belonged. Was In my buggy when
| saw Willie r. Bellinger crossing campus of
fitting school and Mr.. Johnso coming out of
his house, opposite, having q shot gun. Mr.
BelIlnger drew his pistol and fired 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 i'm
mediately, and witness thinks he 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.
"Several more minor witnesses were ex-
amined.
abr. II. d. Bronson testified that upon being
called TO the place of the trouble Mr. Bellinger
lived about thirty seconds or minute longer.
~ knew he was mortally wounded; found
twenty wounds on his right side, twelve from
buckshot, the remainder from smaller shot,
penetrating the right lung and liver"
"Col. Robert Aldrich, retained by the de-
fendant, was present at the inquest
1.-The verdict ofthe jury was that deceased
came TO his death by gunshot wound at the
hands Of w. +. Johnson"