Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-07-01
AIexamoria Gazeffe.
Entered at the Postoffce of Alexandria, Vir-
ginia, as seccnd-class matter.l
COMPTROLLER ASsASsINATED.


As stated in the Gazette, fren' ed by
supposed wrongs, W. G. Hill, an ex-
attache of the Austin, Texas, comp
troller's Office, yesterday moi ling, few
minutes past 10 O'Clock, entered the
private Office of State Comptroller X. NJ
Love and lr'led him 10y means of two
well-dirkcted bullets from large caliber
revolver As Hill turned to flee he was
intercepted by Chief Clerk Stevens OF
the department, and in the scufile which
followed HilI's revolver was accidental
III exploded. The bullet entered Hills
abdomen, causing wound from which
-he died at 3 O'Clock yesterday afternoon,
three hours after the death of the man
whose life he sought. AS to what
caused the shooting none can explain,
other than that it was the act of mad
man. Hill had been an employe of the
comptroilers office for 10 years preced-
ing Mr.. Loves term of office. He WIS
discharged by Mr.. Love when the latter
took charge, and it is presumed that
this fact proved on his mind until he
went insane. Yesterday morning he
went to the Capitol entered Mr. Loves
private Office, spoke to him cheerlully,
shook hands, and handing him letter
TO read, sat down at the invitation
of the comptroller No sooner had
Mr.. Love begun to read the
letter than Hill sprsng 10 his feet and
fred two shots into the body of Mr.. Love,
one taking effect just above and the other
Immediately below the heart. Mr.. Love
screamed, dropped the letter and sprang
half forward toward mis- assassin, then
easped and fell forward. Hill, seeing
that his purpose had been accomplished,
turned to make for the door He was
intercepted by Chief Clerk Stevens, who
was wrestling with him when HilPs pis-
tol was accidentally discharged, the bul-
let entering Hills abdomen with the
fatal effect stated above. Love was given
all medical attention possible, but died
within an hour after the shooting.
The letter that Hill gave to Love reads
as follows:
Austin, Texas, --, 1908.
"Col. r. NJ. Love, State Comptroller:
'Dear Sir-Public office is pubic
trust Public officers are created for the
service of the people and not for the ag-
grandizement of a few individuals. The
practice of bartering department. clerk
ships for private gain is disgrace to the
public service, and in this neiariOus
traffic YOU arc a record-breaker. You
have robbed the Staleemployes and your
incompetent administration has prompted
others to rob the State. The man who
claiming TO be a Christian, deplives others
of employment without cause is base
hypocrite and a tyrant. Thegreatest mind
that ev er gave its wisdom to the world, the
mind of all others most capable OF
"umpi ring the mutiny between right and
wrong said "you take my life when
you do take ,'om me the means by which
| live" Ifthat be true, you are mur'
derer of the deepe t crime. Although
cannot help myself, before laying liie's
burden down shall strike blow, Zee
BILE though it lie, for the good OF my de-
serving fellowmen.
For the right against the wrong,
For the weak against the strong
Yours, truly, W. Il. HILL.
Mr.. Hill was a quiet, gentlemanly
person, and was never known to be adj
dicted to any bad habits. At the time
of the shooting he was holding good
position in Austin, so that Cre want
could not have instigated the frenzy
that prompted the shooting, 1t is the
opinion of all that it was the act OF an
insane man. I'm ne1; ;ately a.,er the
shooting and while Hill was still lying
in the corridor, a bottle of laudanum
was taken from his pocket, and, reach
ing Ior it, he said "Let me take that
aud die easy" This has lead many to
believe that he contemplated suicide
following his shootingO of the comptroller.
Both men have families surviving them.