The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-24
SKINNER STRUCK
HIM, SAYS S|MMS
Knocked Haywood Against
Post. Office Steps.
STORY OF JOHN CHICK
Another Story by Eyewitness That There Was
no Alteration, and Haywood Shot Skin
ner in the Back as He Lift the
Pos Office,

Yesterday evening a News and Obser-
yer reporter called upon Mr.. Robert ~ |
Simms to verify the report that he had
seen the whole of the deadly affray be-
tween Ernest Haywood and Ludlow Skin
ner.
Here is what Mr.. Simms saw:
He was just starting to go into the
postof1ce and was a few steps to the
north of the central steps. talking with
Mr.. Willis Briggs, his face turned toward
the south. His attention was attracted
by two men near the southern steps,
whose arms and hands were moving rap
idly. Instantly the outer man struck the
inner man on the side of the head. The
inner man half fell over against the
steps or the stone balustrade by the
side of the steps. The outer man then
sprang a few feet away and rather TO
ward Mr.. Simms, with his right side
toward him. Then 1t was that Mr. Smms
recognized him as Ludlow Skinner In
stantly the other man, whom Mr.. Smms
recognized as Ernest Haywood, recovered
himself and fired. Just as this was done
Skinner sprang over toward the curbing
and he got to the edge of the street
hesitated for a second, with his face to-
ward Haywood Finally he turned and
started across the street. About that
time the second shot was fired, which
was hardly more than a second after the
first. AS Skinner started over the street,
he passed by vehicle that was standing
at the curb AS he proceeded toward
the center of the street, he walked like
a man trying to steady himself. Just
turned to the left and fell Mr.. Sinms
looked away for a moment and wnen he
looked back SINNERS head had almost
touched the ground. moment later his
head dropped.
MIR Simms further says that he can
not say whether or not Mr.. skinner at
tempted to draw a revolver. and that
if he did he didn't see or recognize the
motion as such.
He did not hear any words pass between
the two men.
Prior to the time that it was known
Mir Simms knew anything about the facts
in the case, he was sought to be en-
ployed by each side To act as attorney,
but declined to appear cn either side.
AN EXACTLY CONTRARY STATEMENT
An entirely different story came to
light yesterday.
1t seems that John Chick, a sign paint
er, of Winston who has been in the city
for several months, saw the whole affair.
He told a member of the Legislature
and Assistant Door-keeper of the House
Lineberry. all about it.
What he told them was this:
He saw both men coming out of the
postoffice. as he believed. together. They
ON, ho cto xub ha SrGf
He heard no word pass between the two.
At the foot of the steps Haywood
stopped. he says, and Skinner walked on
Just as Skinner stepped off the curb
ing. Haywood shot him in the back
Skinner went a few steps on and turned
around. Then Haywood fired again
Mr.. Click says he was standing within
few feet of the two men as they came
down the steps of the postoffice, and
says he could not see what Haywood
wanted to shoot him for. He did not
see Skinner do anything
WHAT NED BARNES SAYS
Ned Barnes. a negro driver at the In
sane Asylum, is said TO be a witness re-
lied upon to corroborate the testimony
of Sims. He is said to have given Hay
woods attorneys an affidavit to the effect
that he saw Haywood and Skinner fight
ing before the shot was fired.
WILL NOT APPEAR.
Mr.. Armistead Jones. solicitor of the
district, will not prosecute Mr.. Haywood.
He did not attend the coroner's inquest,
but requested Mr.. B. NJ. Gatling to do so.
Asked last night about the truth of the
report that he would not undertake the
prosecution, Mr.. Jones said: Yes, ii is
true / have TbOnpbt ii all and de-
cided that l cannot prosecute him. Fer
years we have been intimately associa-
ted in practice in many cases almost
Ike partners. and / just could not prose-
cute him. Besides he is cousin of my
Wife" "a
JUDGE BRYAN CANNOT PRESIDE.
Judge Henry r. Bryan, who would nat
uialiy be the Superior court judge to try
the case. is an uncle of the wife of the
oead man. 1t viii therefore be necessary
TO nave another judge to preside when
'hc case is called ON the 22nd of March,
ohiess there shall be a continuance.
STATEMENT FROM MIR. HAYWooD's
COUNSEL
me counsel for Mr.. Haywood author
re the publication of the following state
ment yesterday afternoon.
As counsel for Mr.. Ernest HAYWOOD
We think 1t proper that we make this
statement. The accounts of the unfor
iunate occurrence of Saturday afternoon.
are Incomplete and Inaccurate.
Mr.. Haywood did not shoot from he
hind nor did he shoot an unsuspectinp
man.
con the contrary there had baen -