The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-10-09

anu "S LII
pIoyed Able CounseI-State Will
Also be Represented by Able At
4ornrys-COrOner's Jury Declare 1t
Hurder-Terry Interviewed by n
Messenger Represenrative
Almost upon the threshold of home
and apparently unconscious of danger
George Tate Bland. a young white man
OF this city, was slain yesterday morn
ing by his father-in-law, S. II. Terry.
It was the awful result OF an enemity
Of years existing between two men who
should have at least possessed a
kindly feeling for each other even
If their heart had been barr
ed to love and friendship. The
staying occurred within the sight of a
number of people whose evidence places
n entire responsibility for the deed
upOn the slayer. The c~oroner's jury by
cts verdict has said murder in the first
degree, and to this charge, which will
be life or death, 5. H. Terry will have
TO answer to God and Ms country"
which country will be represented by
twelve of his fellow citizens of New
Hanover county.
THE DEED.
The killing occurred about $40 o'clock
yesterday morning. \ few seconds be-
fore that time Bland rode up TO his res
tdence, No. III North Fourth street. in
4 buggy, which had Il negro driver. AS
ne alighted from the vehicle Terry was
Just in front of the Brooklyn Baptist
church, which is situated on the north
east corner of Fourth and Brunswick
streets. This made his position a dag
donal one from the Bland home. which
Is on the western side of Fourth street.
between Hanover and Brunswick, and
south of the church. He Immediately
eft u companion, Mr.. Isaiah West.
with whom he had been talking. and
ak rapidly in the direction of the
Rand house. In the mean time Bland
was walking down a lane. which is TO
rhe south of the house and between the
residence and Mr.. B. c. MOOre's drug
store, and WAS either unconscious of or
E1ncOncerned at his father-in-law's ap-
DrOaCh- About half way of the Ian
1here Is a gate opening into the yard
and which Bland often used as an en-
france. This for his going
etgwn the alley.
JUST BEFORE DEATH.
Bland, still unCOncerned. reached the
gateway and entered the yard. Terry
at the same time walked UP to the front
2ate. on the Fourth street side. which
made his position northeast from where
3land stood and perhaps eighteen feet
1EIay from him. For a second the two
men faced each other and then. in the
~Cwinkling of an eye almost. a life was
Caken-saCritiCed by the passion of man.
THE SHOT OF DEATH.
Just before the men faced each other
Terry drew a revolver from his pock-
ct For a second he appeared to hest
nate and then he and his Son-in-law
looked into each others eyes. Terry
HaveIed his small Instrument of death in
Glands direction Then. according TO the
testimony so far procured. two shots
were fired and both were fired by Terry.
The first ball went wide of its mark
and embedded itself in the side OF the
5rug store just above a window which
IS on that side. The second accomplish
I'D its awful object and hit Bland on the
left side and entered the body on its
mission of death between the third and
fourth ribs. about three inches above
The heart Both lungs We're penetrated
oy the bullet and Bland when struck
Cell face forward with his right arm
over his forehead. His right hand had
Srasped in il a revolver. which il is sup
posed he drew from his pocket instant
iy after the first shot was fired. or he
may have OWNED Terry'S purpose and
have drawn il the moment they faced
Zach other This is more probable as
The entire duration OF the deed consum
sd only a few seconds.
ARRESTED BY POLICE.
Bland died within 4 very few min
Izfes after shot. ana as he fell Terry
EIrned and walked away from the
scene.
Shortly afterwards Police Sergeant c.
". WooIard and Policeman G. r. Holt.
~ho were about half a block away. af-
rived and placed Terry under arrest.
He was perfectly cool and talked with
Ehe officers about the deed
CLAIMS SELF DEFENCE.
At the station house before being
locke up Terry made the positive state
nent that he acted in self defence. To
Police sergeant Ward he said:
II saw George and said 1 want TO see
o
George Said: You -- you
car see me at any time Then he drew
mis- pistol and fired at me and I return
I'D the fire. He fired at me twice"
CORONER AT WORK.
Only a short time had elapsed after
che killing before Coroner c. D. Bell