The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-01-24
ANOTHER KILLING.
Willie Carter Shot and Killed by
Robaa.t SmallS-BOth COlOrcd.

Robert Smalls-BOth COlprcd.
Last Thursday morning about eleven
o'clock some one came into our office and
said man had been killed up street.
Although the building in which the kill
ing occurred was only two doors above
our office, no one of the several persons
in our office at the time heard the pistol
shot. We went to the scene OF the
tragedy. and found Willie Garter, a
mulatto barber, lying on the floor Welter-
ing in his blood with bullet wound
over his right eye. He soon died, and
the body was then carried to his home.
The killing occurred in the wooden
building on Main street, formerly occu-
pied by J. A. Vernon, as beef market.
Recently it has been occupied by VIM.
Orr and Robert Smalls, both negroes,
who kept small stock of groceries and
fruit. Three men have been killed IN
this building in the last few years, and
one shot and badly wounded.
Carter was almost instantly killed, and
never spoke after he was shot. The bull
let entered over the right eye and pene-
trated the brain. In fact his brains
spattered into the face OF his slayer when
the shot was fired. The deceased had
been working in the barber shop OF D. A.
Nimmons and was polite fellow and a
good workman. He leaves wife anu
two children. Smalls is black fellow,
while Carter had a good deal of white
blood in his veins.
There was only one eyewitness to the
killing, VIM. Orr, the partner OF Smalls.
The Killing is thought by some to be an
accident, while others think that Smalls
meant to kill. Certain it is that the cir
cumstances show him to have been care
less in the handling of his pistol. The
two men were said to be good TRENDS,
and Smalls seem to be very much grleVeu
over the death of Carter. Smalls appar.-
emily is a quiet, harmless negro, ana
Carter was never in any kind or troupe,
always in a good humor. tappears that
Carter was passing Smalls,s shop ana
was called in by Smalls, and they loked
each other little and Smails jerked out
his pistol, it was discharged, and Carter
fell with a bullet through his brain;
Smalis Immediately ran up street toward
the Jail to give himself up, saying that II
was an accident and appeared to De very
much affected. The two men had hoid
of each other when the pistol tired, out
i'm playful manner. Smalls was taKen
in charge by tlie sheriff, and Is still IN
Jail. .
Magistrate Ray held an inquest that
afternoon, and the jury returned YER
dict that Willie Carter came to his death
at the hands of Robert Smalls as the re-
suit of pistol shot wound. The follow
ing is the testimony taken at the inquest;
William Orr testified: Bob Smalls and
myself were standing in the door
Willie Carter was standing outside.
Willie Carter said to Smalls that he was
the biggest liar he ever. heard. Smalls
said to Carter that you make 1t prac,
tice of calling me liar in company anu
out of company and you have got 1t TO
stop. Carter said to Smalls, why you
don't like it. Smalls said no. Carter
walked up to Smalls. put one hand ON
Smalls and said come in here, and they
walked into the building, both smiling,
and when they got inside Smallss coat
was on the rear end OF the counter.
Carter put his hand into his pants pocket
and pulled out little white handle knl1e.
Smails reached for his coat and drew q
pistol out, and as he pulled it out he had
hold of Carter and Carter had hold OF
him. and it went off and Carter fell: /!
said, There, Smalls, you have Killed
that man." and Smalls said, "Wlllie l
did not 90 to do that" l was standing
in the door. I did not think from what
7 saw or heard that there was going to be
any trouble.
p, H. Handy testified: was sitting
ON the outside of Smalls's store, on the
fruit stand. Willie Carter was standing
at the front of the store talking with me
and VIM. Moye. Smalls said 10 MIN
come in here. Carter said have you got
for me, and Smalls SAID yes;
and in few seconds afterward the pistol
fired and VIM. Orr said: Good God you
have killed that man. and then | stepped
in the door and Smalls had Carter by the
arm irving to lift him up, and he then
went to the door. Said it was done
projecting and he was gong
and rive himself up. / was outside OF
the store. did not hear the converse,
ton that Orr testified that Carter and
Smalls had. l was there when Carter
came up, and was there till after Carter
was killed. They did not appear to be
mad. ..
William Moye testified: Twas in front
of Smalls's store. I was talking to Willie
Carter, and before got through the con.
versation Bob Smalls called Carter ana
Carter said to him have you got anything
for me, and Smalls said yes. Immediate
" Carter went in the store and in about
half a minute heard pistol fire, and
VIM. Orr said you have killed that man;
Smalls said, II will 60 and give up.
Smalls nor Carter did not seem to be
mad. l was about three steps: beyond
the door when the pistol fired. did not