The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-19
THE WALTERS ARE GAME
Zenobia and Zebulon Arm Themselves
and Declare in shemwell's Pres
ence That They Won't be
Terrified by Threats.
IsI intend to kill you. |"


Those words. hurled at zenobia Walzer,
member of the bar at Lexington. on the
streets of Lexington yesterday, fell upon
the ears of that young attorney as he
simultaneously looked down the barrel of
a pistol in the hands of Baxter Shemwell.
Place-Almost the identical spot at
which eight or nine years ago Baxter
Shemwell shot and killed DR.. Robert L.
Payne. The place. the man.. the revolver
pushed in his face were enough to cause
Mr. Walser to look death in the face and
to say his last prayers.
And more than that" added Shem-
well. as he held the pistol uncomfortahly
near to Walzer, Il am going to drive you
and your brother out of this town..
All the time zenobia. unarmed, was
looking down the pistol barrel. He wasn't
saying a word, he didn't try to get away,
he stood as if glued to the spot for some
minutes. Then he turned and walked UP
the street and to his surprise was not
shot dead in his tracks.
-
1t began this way: Mr.. ShemwclI
reached Lexington on the early morning
train from the West He was evidently
looking for walzer, and when he saw him,
Shemwell said to him: Il understand
that you have a case against me, charging
fraud
sYes.' replied Mr. Waller, "we have
case against you.
What are you going to do about it?''
demanded Shemwell.
"well," replied walzer "I had letter
yesterday from our client. His claim is
for 5000, but rather than have any
trouble about it he would settle it for
$1,000
1t was then that Shemwell drew his
pistol and cornered Waller, and made the
threat quoted above
When walzer walked off Shemwell put
up his pistol and walked up the street
Waller sent word to his brother and law
partner. ex-Attorney General Zebulon v.
Walzer, the particulars of the occurrence
and advised him to stay at home SO as TO
avoid a difficulty with Shemwell. Zeb got
the message. Instead of staying at home
he procured big pistol, loaded it, and
walked up with his brother in front Of.
the building where Shemwell was stand
ing, and with their pistols in evidence
11,<1 <,,,+ &1o4 ho
didn't propose to go anywhere, and that
nobody could drive him out of the town.
Shemwell did not reply or renew the at
tack He was later arrested and bound
over to the Superior court in Davidson
next Monday in the sum of four hundred
dollars. He took the afternoon train and
went West. There is a rumor that he
said he would kill Walzer upon his return
to Lexington. Some people think he will
return on Monday Others think he will
not
Feeling runs high in Lexington, and it
is feared that if Shemwell returns next
week there will be bloodshed.
When Shemwen was tried in Davidson
court for the murder of DR.. Payne. 2. V.
Walzer was one of the attorneys employ
ed for the prosecution. Some people
think that Shemwell has an old grudge
against Waller because of that trial.
Others think that he felt indignant at
being sued on charge of fraud, and that
seeing Waller his temper overpowered
him, and that while very mad he drew his
pistol. The occurrence is one that shocks
Lexington. In view of the killing of DR..
Payne and the acquittal of Shemwell by
the jury, the incident is all Ine more SEN
sational and exciting. 1t is to be hoped
that cooling time will serve to avert any
renewal Of the trouble