The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-02-26
AWFUL TRAGEDY IN RAJ :EIGH

in the afternoon there occurred On the |
streets OF Raleigh one OF the most
awful tragedies known in the State.
Ernest Haywood, a successful and pop
ular lawyer, shot and killed Ludlow
Skinner, one of the most popular
young business men in that city.
Both men were highly connected,
Mr.. Haywood being the son OF the late
Or. E. Burke Haywood, and Mr.. Skin
ner the son of Rev. Thos. E. Skinner,
D. D., a we'll known Baptist minister
OF Raleigh.
There have been quite conflicting
accounts of the killing, how it was
done and what the cause. Tue4day's
News and Observer gave the statement
of Mr.. r. N. Simms, prominent law
yer in Raleigh, who was an eye wit
ness to part of the trouble.
MR.. sIMMs' STATEMENT.
He was just starting to 60 into the
postoffice and was few steps to the
rorth OF the central steps, talking with
Mr.. Willis Briggs, his face turned to-
ward the south. His attention was
attracted by two men near the south
ern steps, whose arms and hands were
moving rapidly. Instantly the outer
man struck the inner man on the side
OF the head. The inner man bali tell
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 toward Mr.. Simms,
With bis right side toward him. Then
it was that Mr.. Simms recognized him
as Ludlow Skinner. Instantly the
other man, whom Mr.. Slmms recog-
nized as Ernest Haywood, recovered
himself and fired. Just as this was
done Skinner sprang over toward the
curbing and as he got to the edge OF
the street hesitated for second, with
his face toward Haywood. Finally he
turned and started cross the street.
About that time the second shot was
fired, which was hardly more than a
second after the first. AS Skinner
>tarted over the street, he passed by a
vehicle that was standing at the curb.
As he proceeded toward the center OF
the street, he walked like man trying
10 steady himself. Just as be got
across the street car track he turned to
the lett and fell. Mr.. Simms looked
away for moment, and when he look
ed back SINNERS head had almost
touched the ground. A moment late,
his head dropped.
Mr.. Simms further says that he car
not say whether or not Mr.. Skinner at
tempted to draw a revolver, and that il
ne did, he didn't see or recognize The
cotton as sach.
He did not hear any words pass be
tween the two men.
Prior to the time that it was known
Mr.. Simms knew nything about thu
iccts in the case, he was sought to b.
employed by each side to act as attor
ney, but declined to appear on elthe
side.
AN EXACTLY CONTRARY STATEMENT.
An entirely different story came t.
light yesterday.
1t seems that John Chick, a sig1
painter of Winston. who has been il
the city for several months, saw til
whole affair.
He told member Of the Legislator
and Assistant Door-keeper Of the Hous
Lineberry, all about it.
2 What he told them was this:
: He saw both men coming out of lh
postoffice, as he believed, together
They were on the steps when he frs
: saw them.
At the foot of the steps Haywoo
It stopped, he says, and Skinner Wake
' on. Just as Skinner stepped of tn
curblng, Haywood shot him in tn
back. Skinner went few steps on an
turned around. Then Haywood fire
again.
!. MIR. Chick says he was standln
within a few feet of the two me
as they came down the steps OF th
10 postofice, and says he could not Sc
what Haywood wanted to shoot hir
for. He did not see Skinner do an,
y thing.
Is There is later statement that Chic
, was not quoted correctly.
J. WHAT NED BARNES SAYS.
vi Ned Barnes, a negro driver at tn
insane Asylum, is said to be wltnes
relied upon to corroborate the test
mony oil Simms. He Is said to hay
given Haywood's attorneys an affidavit
v to the effect that he saw Haywood an
Skinner fighting before the shot wa
fired.
I'll The best physlc. "Once tried an