The Savannah morning news., 1903-09-07
QUARTERMEN'S SLAYER
TELLS TWO STORIES.
Twenty Cents Bet In skin Game
Cause of Tragedy.

Cause of Tragedy.
Badly frightened Abraham Single
ton, the negro who shot Charlie Quar-
early yesterday morning, an account
of which was published in the Morning
News, occupies a cell in the police sta
ton. The police have secured evidence
to show that the shooting was I'M
provoked, and the coroner will hold an
inquest in the Police Court room at s
o'clock tonight.
Singleton had been under arrest an
hour before he realized fully what had
happened. Although he had been told
when made a prisoner that Quarter
man was dead. when the same intor-
nation was conveyed to him two hours
later he fell to his knees in his cell.
Il didn't go to shoot him. He didn't
done nothing to me. Oh, Lord, nave
mercy" he cried.
Before this he talked calmly of the
happenings of the night and told
story that does not tally with the Ian
guage he used when for the first time
he realized that the life blood OF an
other was on his hands. Before that
time Singleton declared that Quarter
man ndQ dlIdChtQ nm viii q NAAS
and had struck him twice before he
fired. Although he claimed one blow
landed on the head. he did not have
bump to show piece of skin had
been knocked off his left arm in some
manner.
The witnesses found by the police
say that Singleton and negro named
James Richardson went to quarter
mans house where a skin game was
nj Rich
ardson was made a prisoner several
hours after the shooting, but claims
not to have even witnessed it. The
prisoner and the negroes who were
in the place tell a different story. how
ever, and Richardson will be examined
at the inquest.
A stake of 20 cents in game OF
skin caused the row that ended with
the death of Quarterman. The bet was
made with a marker" and Lymus
O'Neil failed to pay up. Singleton was
arguing with O'Neil about the payment
of the wager when Richardson TOOK a
hand. He asked Singleton if he didn't
have a gun, and his friend replied in
the affirmative. Richardson is then
alleged to have told Singleton to get
his money or shoot. Singleton then
pulled his pistol. This much every
body agrees TO but Richardson.
ONeil says that he escaped by jump
ing behind a door. and that Singleton
then fired at Quarterman, who was in
the front door. The prisoner in his
first statement claimed that while he
was trying to get out of the house
Quarternan struck him twice with a
club, and that he then fired. After
wards he said that the crowd in the
room jumped on him and that he shot
at no one in particular. Churchman's
slayer went all to pieces when he was
made to understand that the shot had
been fatal.
The murderer was arrested in an out
building near the scene of his crime
by Mounted Patrolman Pat Eivers. The
officer was at the Gamewell box on
East Broad and Bolton streets when a
negro reported to him what had hap
pened. and pointed out Singleton, who
was running in an opposite direction a
block away. The patrolman followed
on foot and lost his negro man near
the railroad tracks. A thorough search
resulted in the discovery of the MUIR
derer. Singleton denied his identity,
and explained that he was hiding be-
cause he had been gambling. Not I'M
til he was placed in the patrol wagon
did he admit doing the shooting He
had thrown the pistol away while run
ming, and it was recovered by Patrol
man Eivers after daylight