The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-09
FRACTURED HIS SKULL.
JOHN WILLIAMS DIED FROM 4
BLOW BY JAMES HOOKS.

Ihe Result of Quarrel Among Ne
groes in BrouEhtOn Lnne-Wiil-
Jams Was struck in the Head With
Brick-Hc walked to His Home
on waters Road, Was Fixed Up by
Ills wife and Died During the
Night by Her Side-HoOks Not Yet
Found. but Onicers Are on His
Track.
With fractured skull, caused by
blow from a heavy brick, John Walter
Williams. colored, suffered for several
hours without receiving the attention
of a physician, and died, while his
wife slept by his side. some time dur
ing the early morning yesterday.
william was struck in the fore
head by another negro named Jim
Hooks in Broughton lane, in the rear
of the Marshall House. shortly after
2 o'clock Monday afternoon. Although
his skull was fractured Williams stag
gered to, his home at Gwinnett street
and Waters road a distance of nearly
two miles. He told his wife Sallic
Williams. that Hooks had struck him,
but failed TO say what had caused the
row
The woman undressed her husband
and put him in bed. His forehead had
swollen and she bathed it with cold
water and reduced the swelling
Although he complained of much
pain and erosned continually
the woman did not think he
had been seriously hurt ana
did not call in 4 physician. When the
swelling disappeared she was sure that
he had not been badly hurt. ana kept
wet bandages on his head. His suffer-
ing continued and his wife went to
bed with him, little thinking that he
was in u critical condition. The wo-
man walked about 5 o'clock and was
startled to find the dead body of her
husband by her side. He had been re-
iieved of his suffering by death sew
eral hours before and without his wife
knowing his true condition.
The woman hurriedly dressed and
went downtown and reported her hus-
bands death to his friends. Some
time later the police were notified for
the first time of the trouble that had
resulted in the death of Williams. The
woman herself had gotten active and
learned that andrew Woods, cook
at the Marshall s.ouse, had witnessed
the assault With the aid of Woods
she found the brick with which the
fatal blow had been administered,
and took it to her home. Later 1t was
turned over to Coroner Keller, who
examined Woods and announced that
death had been caused by d fracture
of the skull.
No one could be found who would
admit knowing how the trouble be-
tween the two men started. 1t be-
gan in Carson's stables, adjoining the
Marshall tlouse, and both men were
put out by a negro stable man named
John Sanders. That individual claims
not to know what the men were talk,
ing about and says that he elected
them from the stable because they
appeared to want to fight Sanders
questioned about the trouble and will
probably prove an unwilling witness
before the coroner's jury.
Both men went in Broughton
lane where the quarrel was renewed.
The cook Woods saw Hooks throw the
brick that struck Williams and caused
his death, but could not hear any. Of
the argument before, the blow was
struck. The detectives made careful
search for Hooks just so soon as they
heard Of Williams death. but were
unable 70 locate him. They are of
the opinion that the negro left the city
Immediately after the trouble, and are
endeavoring to discover his present
whereabouts. Hooks is known as
somewhat of roustabout and usually
hangs around livery stables.
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