The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-07-01
FTenzied Murderer in Attempt to
Escape Shoots Himself
and Dies Later
R. NJ LANE, COMPTROLLER,
SHOT DEAD IN HIS OFFICE
w. q. Hill, Who Did the Shooting, IL
Believed to Have Been crazed BY
Supposed Wrongs-Hls Act
That Of a Madman.

Austin, Tex. June a.-Frenzied by sup
posed wrongs. W. G. HILL an ex-attaohe
of the state comptroler's office, this
morning, at a few minutes past 10 o'clock
entered the private office of State Comp
troller r. NJ. Love and killed him by
means Of two we'll directed bullets from
a large calibre revolver.
AS Hill turned to flee he was intercepted
by Chief Clerk Stevens of the depart
ment. who engaged him in scuffie dur
ing which his revolver was acidently ex-i
ploded. The bullet entered HiIrs abdo-
men, causing a wound from which he
died at o'clock this afternoon. three
hours after the death of the man whose
life he sought.
Thus, in brief, is told the story of the
double tragedy, the first assassination
ever chronicled in the Texas capitol. The
shooting has thrown the town and state
into a commotion, but the death Of the
assassin as we'll as his victim, has closed
the story In one chapter.
Act of a Madman.
As to what caused the shooting. none
can explain, other than that 1t was the
act Of a madman. Fiji had been an em-
pioye of the comptroller's offioe for ten
years preceding loves term OF office.
He was let out by Mr.. Love, when the
latter took charge and 1t Is presumed
this fact preyed upon his mind until he
went insane. This morning he went to
the capitol entered Mr.. Loves private
office, spoke to him cheerfully, shook
hands and handing him a letter to read,
sat down at the invitation OF the comp
troIler No sooner had Mr. Love began
the reading of the letter than Eli sprang
TO his feet and hred two shots into the
body OF Mr. Love. ona taking sffeot just
above and the other immediately below
the heart Mr.. Love screamed. dropped
the letter and spxnng half forward to-
wards his assa1iank. then gasped and
fell backward.
Hill, seeing that his purpose had been
accomplished, turned TO make for the
door, He was intercepted by Clerk Stew
ems who grappisd with htm and was
wrestling with him whan Filrs pistol was
accidentally discharged, the buiiet enter
ing Hills abdomen. He fell a dead
weight in Stevens arms and wae lowered
gently to the 1oor whwe he nay until
taken to the hospital. He died aee O'Clock
this afternoon.
Love was given all nnedsoa1 aAsention
possible. but died within an hour after
the shooting.
A RemaFlSxhle Lettsn.
The letter which Hill gave to Love
reads as followB:
Austin. Tex. -. 1903.
Col r. M. Love. State ComDtrof1er:
Dear Sir-Public Office is a phsblio
trust. Public officers are created for the
service of the people. not for the asgran-
dizement OF a few individuals The prao-
tice OF bartering department cierkshipa
for private gain Ii a disgrace to the pub
lie service. and In this nefarious traffio
you are a record-breaker.
you have robbed the state employees
and your Incompetent administration has
prompted others TO rob the state.
THE man who. claiming to be Chris
tian, deprives others Of employment with
out cause Is a base hypocr1te and a ty-
rant
''The greatest mind that ever gave It's
wisdom to the world; the mind OF all
others most capable OF umpiring the
mutiny between right and wrong said.
you take my life when you take from
me the means by which live
IF that be true, you are a murderer
of the deepest crime. Although I cannot
help myself. before laying life's bur-
dens down, shall strike blow-feeble
though 1t be-for the good of my deserv-
ing fellow man.
For the right against the wrong,
For the weak against the strong.
Yours truly. w. G. HILL"
Hill Held Good Position.
Mr. Hill was quiet and gentlemanly
person, and was never known TO have
been addicted to any bad habits. At the
time OF the shooting he was holding a
good position here In the city. SO that
dire want could not have instigated the
frenzy that prompted the shooting. II is
the opinion of all that II was the act OF
an insane man. Immediately after the
shooting and while Hill was still lying In
the corridor, a bottle of laudanum was
taken from his pocket, and reaching for
II. he said, LET me take that and die
easy"
This has led many TO believe that he
contemplated suicide following his shoot
ing Of the comptroller. Both men have
families surviving them. Comptroller
Loves remains were shipped tonight to
his old home In Limestone county for
interment and Hills remains will be
buried here tomorrow.