The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-03

Austin. Texas. June 3O.-Frenzied byl
supposed wrongs, W. G.. Hill. an ex-I
attache of the state comptroller's Office
this morning a few minutes past 10I
o'clock. entered the private office of
State Comptroller r. NJ. Love and kill
ed him by means of two we'll directed
bullets from q large calibre revolver.
As Hill turned TO flee he was intercept
ed by Chief Clerk Stevens OF the del
partner who engaged him in a scuf-l
ne during which Hills revolver was ac-I
~cidentaIIy discharged. The bullet en-l
tered Hills abdomen causing a wound
from which ne died at 3 o'clock thisl
afternoon three hours after the DEATH
of the man whose life he sought
Thus. in brief is told the story
of he double tragedy, the first assassI-
nation ever ~ChrOnicIed in the Texas
capitol. The shooting has thrown theI
town and state into a BUT
the death Of the assassin, as we'll as his
victim has closed the story in one chap
ter
As to what caused the shooting, mol
one can explain other than it was the
act of a mailman. Hill had been an
employee of the cOmptrolIer's office for
ten years preceding Loves term OF Of
flee. He was let out by Mr.. Love when
the latter took charge and il Is Presum-
ed that this fact preyed on his mind
until he went insane. This morning he
went to the capitol. entered Mr.. Loves
private Office. spoke 10 him c~heerfully,
shook hands and handing him a letter.
to read, sat down at the Invitation OF
the comptroller. No sooner had Mr.
Love begunt TO read the letter than Hill
sprang to his feet and fired two shots
into the body OF Mr.. Love. one taking
effect just above and the other imme-
diteIy below the heart. Mr.. Love-
screamed. dropped the letter and sprangI
half way Onward towards his assassin.
Their gasped and fell backward
Hill. seeing that his purpose had been
accomplished. turned TO max for the
door. He was intercepted by Chief
Clerk Stevens who grappled with him
and was wrestling Will him when HIPS
pistol was accidentally discharged, the
bullet entering HiIrs abdomen. He fell
in stevens arms aud was lowered to the
lDOC1 iE-l0 IL q NAANl ~ - N
hospital. He die at > o'clock this af-
ternoon. Love was given all medical
attention possible but died within an
hour after the shooting.
The letter that Hill gave Love reads
as follows:
austin. Texas, 1902.
Colonel r. ". Love. state comptroller:
Dear Sir: Public office is a public
trust. Public officers are created for
the service Of the people and not for the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of a few individuals
The practice OF bartering department
~Clerkships for private gain. is a dis
grace to the public service. and in this
nefarious traffic you are a record
breaker.
You have robbed the state employees
and your incompetent administration
has prompted others 70 rob the state.
"Th man VINO claims TO be a Chris
tan. and deprives others Of employment
without cause is a base hypocrite. and
a tyrant.
THE greatest mind tina ever gave
its wisdom to the world: the mind OF
all others most capable Of 'umpiring the
mutiny between right and wrong said
you take my life when you do take
from me the means by which I live
If that be true. you are q murderer
of the deepest crime. Although I can
not help myself. before laying life's
burdens down. I shall strike a blow
feeble though it be-for the good Of
my deserving fellow men
For the right against the wrong
For the weak against the strong
Yours truly.
tSiEnedD w. G.
AIR. Hill was = quiet gent1emanly
person and was never known 10 De ad-
dicted to any bad habits. At the time
Of he shooting he was holding a good
position here in the city. so that dire
want could not have instisated the
frenzy that prompted the shooting. Il
IS the opinion of all that II was the act
of an insane man. Immediately after
the shooting 4 while Hill was still
lying in the corridor a bottle of lauda-
mum was taken from his pocket and
reaching for il. he said:
Let me take that and die easy
This has led many 70 believe that he
contemplated suicide following his
shooting Of the comptroller. Both mer
left families.
Comptroller Loves remains were
shipped tonight TO his old home il
Limestone county for interment and
HilTs remains will be buried here to-
morrow.
ATI-& Won TnIS O