The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-22
WAS JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE.
Wesley Heron Shot Lee BOnaparte
in Self Defense.

The killing of Leander Bonaparte,
Sr.. by Wesley Heron. at Pooler Mon
day night, an account of which was
given in the Morning News, was in
vestigated by the coroner's jury yes
terday. and a verdict of justifiable
homicide was returned. over 20 wit
nesses were present, but it was only
necessary to go into the examination
of four.
The witnesses testified positively that
the shooting was clearly in self-de-
Tense, and that Heron really had a
very close call. Bonaparte fired the
first shot, and but for the fact that his
gun hung fire, and Heron was en-
abled to knock it in the air, the posi-
ton of the men would have been re-
versed. 1t was shown that the part
played in the tragedy by George Bona
Darte and Leander Bonaparte, Jr., was
of no consequence. as far as the shoot
ing was concerned.
After the elder Bonaparte had been
mortally- wounded his brother and
son rushed forwarded, armed with an
ak and a revolver. Heron managed
to hold the two men off until citizens
arrived, but not before he had received
a severe blow on the shoulder. The
assault was committed after Bona
parte, ST., had been mortally wounded,
and was not considered by the jury.
Heron will press charges of assault
with intent to murder against them,
and witnesses against him will appear
before the grand jury. In the mean
time they are held on warrant issued
in Magistrate Naughtin's court.
The shooting took place few min
utes after the arrival of the latter
dinner train" from the city, and was
witnessed by half a hundred whites
and blacks. Mr.. Dave l.. Christian,
who had been passenger on the train,
was the chief witness examined by the
jury. He knew that a feud had been
existing between the two families for
ten or fifteen years, and had been told
that Bonaparte had remarked in the
morning, that either he or Heron
would have to bite the dust before sun
down. This statement was not taken
by the jury as evidence, although it
appears that the homicide was because
of the bad blood between the two fam
lilies. They were all sober and there
were no words before the fatal shoot
ing.
When Mr.. Christian got off the train
at the station he noticed Heron and
negro named Jim Williams leaving
Powelrs store. Heron was armed with
shotgun and Bonaparte, with his
brother and son, We're at the same
store. Heron had gone some seventy
five yards when Bonaparte, Sr., fol-
lowed, and Mr.. Christian asked George
Bonaparte who the old man was going
to kill. The witness saw Bonaparte get
within twenty feet of Heron and heard
him say something.
Bonaparte was still advancing, and
when within reach of Heron fired his
gun. The weapon hung fire for an in
slant and with his, own gun Heron
knocked 1t up. The load of shot went
in the air and Heron then fired the
fatal shot. Bonaparte dropped his gun
and fell to the ground with his head
torn to pieces. Heron stood over him
and jabbed him with the muzzle of the
gun for several minutes. 1t was then
that the other Bonapartes brought ak
and pistol into the game.
Jim Williams, the negro who was
with Heron, made a similar state
ment, as did the other witnesses pres
ent at the investigation. certificate
as to the good character and reputation
of the negro Heron, which was signed
by many of the residents of Pooler, was
introduced. They described him as be-
ing peaceable and law-abiding citi-
zen. In the event that George Bona
parte and his nephew are released
further trouble is expected.