The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-10
KILLED
INST ANTLY
Bristol Policeman Shoots His
Brother Officer.
SENTIMENT Z AGAINST HIM
Fired Without Warning, Reaching His
Pistol Through Slit in His Over
coat-Men Had Not Been
Friendly Of Late.
Special to Tho Times. Dispatch

Especial to Tho Times. Dispatch
BRISTOL, VA, February 9.-Pollce-
man G. M. Walk, who shot and killed
Policeman Houston Childress In Bristol
on Sunday morning, surrendered tonight
at 10 o'clock, md Is under guard. He
will be delivered to the Tennessee au-
thorities tomorrow.
EIe said tonight that he had been in
hiding within three blocks OF the City
Hall since the deed was committed: that
he never Intended to make his escape,
but was only waiting, for the excitement
to die out. He claims that he killed
officer Chlldress In self-defense, notwilh-
standing the general impression that the
killing was wholly unjustifable. But for
the clever work Of Chief Of Police Cald-
we'll Walk would hardly have surren-
dered tonight
FIRED TWO SHOTS.
The tragedy was enacted at LIS o'clock
yesterday morning at the State and
Fourth Streets corner one OF the most
Policeman Walk, Of tho Bristol (Va.)
police force, shot and almost instantly
killed Policeman Houston Childress, Of
the Bristol Crenn.) force, having fred
two shots. Walk then turned and ran
across the street to the Virginia slde
and disappeared In the darkness, Not
even the most intimate friends Of the
tragedy might tako place between the
fellow officers, although 1t was known
that the two men had not been on
friendly terms for q few days.
Officer Charles Porch and Officer Chill
dress sat on window sill at Knots
bakery when Policeman Walk and an
other man came UP the street. Walk
called Childress to one side and invited
him to so with him to point where
there was some policing to be done Mr..
Chlldress told Walk that he did not feel
disposed to go with him after the way
he had treated him a nightaor two pre-
vious. BY this Officer Childress referred
for duty, and when Walk, who was the
only officer left to be with him, turned
and walked away.
WITHOUT WARNING.
Mr.. Chlldress took ofrense at this and
did not hesitate to tell Walk so at the
first opportunity. This led to unpleas-
| ant words. which were followed by vile
names. The dispute had not gone far
before Walk, without the least warning,
fired upon Officer Childress his revolver
being concealed under his overcoat at
the time. Flo had reached his revolver
through the pocket hole of his overcoat,
which was SO arranged that he could
reach either his coat or pants pocket
without having to unbuttom the over
| coat.
One shot Of the 3S-calibre revolver
passed through the left thigh of Officer
| Childress, while the other passed through
| the brin, then through the band Of his
hat and into his brain, having entered
| the left side of the forehead one inch
above the eye. The shot was evidently
| fired from the side, as 1t passed out on
the right side Of the forehead just above
the right eye. Office Porch was the only
immediate eyewitness to the killing. and
he was so badly dazed as to allow Officer
| Walk to escape without any effort tc
| stop him. taP
DIED IN FEW MINUTES.
| Tho wounded officer was picked UP an6
carried into barber shop near by, but
expired within five minutes. Ills body
was removed at once to the undertaker's
establishment Of Mcneil & Sons. where
is was prepared for burial.
officer Childress was about thirty
eight years Of age, and had been on thu
| police force for a n lumber Of years, hay
| ing made brave officer, who was strict
| ~ sober and faithful to every duty. Fl,
| is survived by his wife, who Is an In
| valid. Officer Childress was himself IL
.. a manner invalid. being a victim OF loco
| motor ataXia. He was being retained OF
| the force as a matter OF charity and II
| consideration of his excellent work prio
to his ailment Chief OF Police Caldwell
| held Officer Childress In high esteem an,
| was greatly distressed at the news of hi
tragic fate.
! Officer Walk is a wdower, about fort
! years of age. He has the record OF hav
Ing been an efficient officer. He was
man who usually had very little to say
and who was at no time demonstrative.