The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-11-17

New York, November 13.-Andrew H.
Green, the Father of Greater New
York" and one Of the city's oldest n
most remarkable citizens, was shot and
instantly killed on the steps of his home
on Park avenue today, by Cornelius NJ.
Williams, a negro who is believed to be
insane.
The shooting was evidently the out
come of an insane delusion on the part
OF the negro that Mr.. Green had SLAM
dered him. for when ne was asked vhy
ne had committed the murder he re-
piled:
i did II to save my character"
There were three witnesses of the
tragedy, Mrs. Anna Bray. a domestic
in Mr.. Green's family; Emily MicheIs.
an errand boy. and Patrick Dyer, a cab
man. According to these witnesses. the
negro must have been waiting for Mr..
Green 10 come home from his office.
Inc negro was standing in the vesti-
buIe OF the house, and as Mr.. Green
started to ascend the two steps leading
10 the hall door, Williams advanced to-
ward him. There was q brief inter-
change of words, and then the negro
drew a revolver and fired five shots in
rapid succession. Mr.. Green sank to
the stone pavement, blood streaming
from his head, while his murderer re-
turing the revolver to his pocket. Iean-
ed against the railing of the stem as 10
awaiting arrest.
William II. Burn, carriage starter
Tor the Murray Hill hotel was one of
the nrst to reach the man whom he
Selzeu as he was about to walk away
ana turned him over to a policeman
ana a detective, who rushed up a mo-
nent later. A Physician was on rhe
spot almost Immediately and pronounce
ed Mr. Green to be dead. As the ne
srOs aged victim fell, a young woman
rushed out of the house and took the
dead or dying mans head in her lap,
at the same time calling upon him in
plteOus tones. to speak to her. AS she
tried in vain to get d response, Williams
turned upon his victim and shouted:
Damn you, l told you l would get
even with YOU"
one of the negrO's bullets imbedded
itself in the ceiling of the v%estibule. 1t
is believed that all of the others took
effect. Any one was sufficient to cause
instant death.
Mrs. Bray told the police that she
VAS just about to enter the house when
she saw Mr.. Green accosted by Will
liams and heard the former say, in an
-swer to some words addressed to him
by the negro: Go away. l don't know
you" Then Williams drew his revolver
and shot the old man AS soon nc tho
policemen seized the colored man, they
searched him and found the revolver.
which was still warm. They hurried
hin to Il station house, where he was
subjected to a searching examination,
the result of which left little doubt of
the negrO's insanity.
Williams appeared to be perfectly self
possessed and acted as though he felt
he had performed a meritOrious deed.
He is a we'll built man, of average
height. and of not unpleasant features.
He said he was single. 43 years old. and
lived at No. 156 West 18th street. at
which place, however. he is rot known.
The prisoner answered. without hesita-
ton or any show of irritation all ques-
lions put TO him and spoke like a man
firm in the conviction that he had been
deeply wrOnged by the mar he had
murdered.
He told Il rambling story about a coll
.Ored woman. Bessie Davis. who. until
about four months ago kept a lodging
house for negroes in West 53rd street,
who he said. had circulate statements
d~erOgatory 10 his character and against
whom the had been trying to bring suit
for $50. 900 for SANDER. The trouble he
said, dated back to the year 1895, when
he was one of her dodgers. Her stories
reached the congregation of the MOunt
Olivet church of which he was an at
tendant and he was forced to give up
his membership there because his fellow
worshippers pointed the finger of scorn
at him. Her ISLANDERS. continuing over
eight years cost him nearly all his
friends.
I would have been married now only
for her" he added bitterly.
Continuing he said he had not been
able to find the woman, who had been
spirited away by powerful friends. He
blamed Mr. Green for befriending the
woman. and enabling her to continue
her sIanderous stories. He said he had
asked Mr.. Green to get after her,
but he had failed to do so.
I'm not sorry l shot him. exclaimed
ed. I may not be justified by society
but I'm justified in the eyes of God
I'm willing to go to the electric chair,
if necessary to vindicate my character
The prisoner said that he was a n q
tive of Virginia. and that he supported
himself by taking care of
The prisoner was then emoved &c
police headquarters, where he was ques'
faA - r.