The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-14
JEALOUSY CRAzED He
SHOT HIMSELF.
Suicide of Negro Maddened
by Despair.
He Sent Two Bullets Into ha Woman He Loved
ffer Vain Search for His
Rival. ;

The city was startled yesterday morn
ing by an attempted murder and a sui
eide
A negro man named William Edward
Patterson, committed suicide yesterday
morning on the corner eff Saunders and
North street. in front of Winston & Wig
gins store. and came very near ending
the life of his sweetheart, Adeline
Harris, by putting two bullets into her
body.
Yesterday morning about ten o'clock
Patterson went to the store of winston
& Virgins and got the porter Ga small
negro bow to go to the .hOme of Mr.. w.
C. Eatman. which was about $50 yards
from the store, and tell the woman that
he. Patterson, wanted tc see her at the
store. The boy did as was requested,
and she sent word back that she was
busy. and if he wanted to see her TO
come to the lane gate, where they would
meet. This he did Immediately and she
was there to meet him. He only spoke
a few words to her, when he drew his
pistol and fired two bullets into her
body, both taking effect under the left
arm.
Patterson turned deliberately around
and returned to the stor& and attempted
to go in, saying, Il al1 gong 10 XIII
Geo. McRae, VINO l saw so in here few
minutes ago." lie was prevented from
going in the store. Then turning dellb-
erately around in the presence of several
witnesses, he placed the pistol to his
breast and fired two sh9ts, both taking
effect in the heart, and*hc sank to the
ground, dying immediately.
Officer Creighton, who was in the
neighborhood at the time, arrived only
few minutes after he had shot himself.
Chief of Police Mullen then arrived IN
answer to a telephone call and had the
woman carried to tho hospital, where
medical attention was summoned, and
the wound was pronounced not necessari~
ly fatal
The dead body of Patterson was taken
in a delivery wagon to the undertaking
establishment of John w. Brown, where
over a thousand people viewed the body
during the day.
The motive for the CHASTITY crime was
jealousy and in this fit of passion he
committed this awful deed. He was en-
ployed as a brakeman on the Seaboard
Air Line Railroad, running between Rich
mond and Raleigh. Adehne Harrison, the
woman he shot, was a chambermaid
in the home of Mrs. w. E. Eatman.
Patterson is known in the police courts
of this city, and was arrested few
weeks ago on complaint of Mr.. Eatman,
for disorderly conduct and fined by the
mayor He was very annoying in the
neighborhood and persisted in his atten
tions to the Harrison woman.
Patterson has no people living in this
city, and he is not very well known here.
If no one claims his body the city will
take charge and have his remains buried.
He was about % years old. The woman
he shot was about 20.
In looking through the pockets of Pat
tcrson's clothes a knife, several collar
buttons and two letters were found.
The first letter written refers to the case
which was against him in the Mayors
court.
The second letter is supposed to have
been written a short while before he
committed the deed and shows plainly.
that his intentions were to kill --t1se Wo-
man:
Mr.. Norris: I-w44f ask you to do me a
favor, plaasc will you let me have 100
until"ric 18th of next week, then I will
"fcturn it back to you if can let me have
it why seal it in envelope and send by
Boy with a little money. Ed will come
clear and Mr.. Sims will get it all right
this morning at o'clock for me. l will
certify pay you on the nth From
Adeline Harris Raleigh n. C. Jan %
Ans please.
Please don't any one think hard this
woman have ruined my life Will put
her out of the way to save good men.