The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-02
KILLED FOR AN OATH
FATAL ENDING OF A SUNDAY GAME
ON WILMINGTON ISLAND.
TIMMONS SHOT BY QUINN.
THE SLAYER PURSUED BY OFF,
GERS, But ESCAPED.

Both Negroes Employed at Oemler's
Oyster FactOry-Dispute over a
Bet Caused Angry WOrds-Tim-
mons SGid to Have Been Advanc-
ing With an Open Knife-Warned
to Stop and Shot Was Fired ct
Close Range--DuIIet Entered the
Left Lung Wounded Negro
Brought TO the City, hut Died
Several Hours Later-Never Re-
gained COnsciOusness--At Tune of
killing Capt. Oemler Was Dress
ing wounds of Another Negro.
Charles Timmons. colored, was shot
and mortally wounded on Wilmington
Island yesterday by another negro,
Vincent Quinn, better known as
Red" Both men were employed at
Oemler's oyster factory.
The shooting was the result of a
game of Skin" which had been in
progress in the woods near the fac
tory. The killing appears to have been
done in self-defense, although Quinn
fled Immediately after firing the shot.
Capt. Oemler, and negroes on the ISL
and, but he could not be located.
The bullet entered -Timmons' left
breast and lodged in the lung. The
wounded man never regained con-
sciousness after being shot, and was
taken to Thunderbolt in a row boat. An
effort was made to get d statement
frcm him at that place, but he was I'M
able to talk. Timmons was placed in a
wagon, and taken to. the Georgia In
Urinary, where he died several hours
later. 1t was known from the first that
his wounds were fatal
Isaac Reilly, a negro employed at the
oyster factory, was one of those in the
game of skin, and witnessed the hom-
eide. According to his story Quinn was
justified in doing the shooting. Reilly
made a statement to a representative
of the Morning News, and declared
that TimnIons was advancing on Quinn
with an open knife when the shot was
fired. Quinn warned Timmons several
times to stand back, but without
avail, and Timmons is alleged to
have said You've got to kill me-
According to Reilly both men had
been drinking, and neither was in an
amiable frame of mind. A dispute
arose over a bet that had been made,
and Timmons cursed Quinn. The negro
known as Red" objected to the use of
the profanity, and warned Timmons
not to repeat his language. Timmons
said that he was not to be frightened
and defied Quinn to resent the insult
that had been offered. Reilly says that
Timmons got up from the ground and
put his hand in his pocket to get his
knife.
The weapon was drawn and opened,
according to the witness, and Tim
mons advanced on Quinn. Reilly all
leges that Quinn backed away, follow
ed by Timmons with the open knife
The witness says that Timmons had
gotten within two feet of Quinn when
that individual draw his revolver and
fired one shot. Timmons fell In Reilly S
arms, and Quinn replaced the weapon
in his pocket and walked away Reilly
says that the other negroes in the par
ty ran and that he remained with the
wounded man until help arrived.
The shooting was reported at po-
lice headquarters by telephone ana
OOuiily D6lSCllNe charlton lett at once
for Thunderbolt, thinking that Tim
mons slayer might go in that direc-
ton. Capt. Oemler had the island
surrounded and is certain that the ne
gro did not leave the island before
nightfall. Chief Deputy Sweeney was
also notified of the killing and made
every effort to locate Quinn, but with
out success. In the face of the state
ment made by Reilly the officers are
of the opinion that the negro will sur
render An inquest will probably be
held this evening by Coroner Keller.
Capt Oemler was on the island when
the homicide occurred, and was engag-
ed at the factory in dressing the
wounds of negro who had been cut
and stabbed the night before. There
was frolic on the island Saturday
night, and in a drunken melee that fol-
lowed Harry Turner was cut in several
places. The wounded man was unable
to tell who had assaulted him. Capt.
Oemler had just finished bandaging the
negro's wounds when he heard the shot
fired that killed Timmons. He ran to
the scene of the shooting at once, but
was unable to locate Quinn. Turner is
not believed to be seriously wounded as
result of the Saturday night disturb
ance.