The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-24
RALEIGH
TRAGEDY
Haywood Claims That He
Fired IN Self-Defense.
--------
HAD BEEN KNOCKED DOWN
Robert N. Sims, Well Known in Raleigh,
Who Saw the Whole Affair, Makes
statement-Cause Of
the Shooting.
HAD BEEN KNOCKED DOWN
fsnee,nl 10 r.he Time..pl.putch.l

Especial to The Tirnes.Dlspatch)
RALEIGH, N. c., february 3.-Counsel
for Ernest Haywood who shot and killed
Ludlow Skinner Saturday evening, say
that habeus corpus proceedings will be
Instituted In day or two. and self de-
Tense will be proven. They Issued
statement this evening in brief, as fol-
lows:
'.As counsel for Mr.. Ernest Haywood.
we think It proper that we make this
statement. The accounts OF the unfortu-
nate occurrence OF Saturday afternoon
are incomplete and inaccurate. MIR. Hay
wood did not shoot from behind, nor did
no shoot an unsuuspecting man. On
the contrary. there had been personal
alteration between him and the de-
ceased. begun by Mr.. Skinner. and, IN
which Mr.. Skinner struck Mr.. Haywood
first and knocked him down. Both men
then reached for their pistols. and Mr..
Haywood fred first. not having stricken
blow.
"These facts will be proven by men
OF the highest character, who were eye
witnesses. Among those who saw the al
tercat!on Is Hon. Robert N. Sims, and
he saw Mr.. Skinner strike Mt. Haywood.
| Mr.. Haywood has made no statement to
his counsel or any other person reflect
ing on the character Of any one; and he
is In no way responsible for any scandals
now being reported or published"
MIR. SIMS STATEMENT.
Mr.. Sims. who Is one of the most promi-
nent OF the younger members OF the RAJ
leigh bar said tonight that he will tes-
tify that ne was in front Of the postoffice.
saw Ludlow Skinner In conversation with
t-unn
Haywood on the side OF the head. SO that
| he fell either on the postof1ice steps or
| on the balustrade Of the steps Skinner
sprang or several feet when Haywood
recovered himself, and as he did 80, fired
| at Skinner who sprang away toward the
| street curb. Here he hesitated for mo-
| ment. with his face toward Haywood.
/ who fred the second shot, and 81 inner,
who seemed to be turning when the shot
was fred, staggered into the street and
| fell.
Counsel say none OF the scandal, to
/ which reference has been made In re-
| ports, will come up In the hearing, and
| the Impression now seems to be that SELF
/ defense will be established.
| John II. Winder. manager OF Sunday
| Creek Coal Company. OF Ohio. arrived
/ from Cincinnati to-day. He is
/ brother of Mrs. W. r. Tucker. whose
| Teia1lOnS 10 f1dy WOOO tiOoul SiAS
/ trouble with Skinner and Is also broth
er of Mrs. Ludlow Skinner, and married
a Miss Tucker, s!ster-in-law OF the young
widow Tucker. winder. who as the
male representative Of the family, will
direct the special prosecution of Hay
wood, II there Is any, says he don't
know what will be done yet; that no
| counsel have been engaged. and that he
/ cannot say what will be done.
| CAUSE OF THE AFFAIR.
Every effort Is being made now to
stop the spread of the scandal which the
\ killing has given rise to, the great bulk
| Of which is said to be really unfounded
| by both Sides A conservative statement
| of the case appears to be that Haywood
| and Mrs. Tucker were intimately asso-
| ciated. Their engagement and SUISSE
quently their secret marriage became the
| subject of gossip. Then probably four
months ago a child was born to Mrs.
| Tucker in 4 Northern hospital. some say
| In Baltimore, some Philadelphia and 9TH
ers somewhere in Canada. Haywood de-
MED the marriage, some claim. and others
say he did not. but had started divorce
proceedings. Skinner, angered at the sit
\ uation. wrote a note Saturday to Hay
| wood demanding documents he had as
attorney of the Ludlow estate in New
York. In which Skinner had extensive
Interests. Haywood sent verbal mes
| sage back that he was too busy to get
the papers, but would do so later Then
the men met in front Of the postoffice
and the tragedy folJo ped