The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-20
SHOOTING AT FLORENCE.
j.. @. BIount Slain by Constable W. A
Rowall, Who is Now I'm Jail.

The F1ofence Tin IS Of yesterday CON-
Itains the following ccou of the de-
plorabIe affair tia occurred there Fri
nay night.
The ready pistol found another VIC
tim % add to the already too long ,ist
of killings in this state at the passen-
ger station here last night. The VIC
tim is Joe. G. Blount, a well known
Citizen Of this county, and the other
who is now in jan an h charge CT
homicide. i, W. r Rowell a state con-
stable.
The shooting occurred shortly after
the evening trains had come in. From
what can be learned Rowell had been
inclined a difficulty for some little
time and came ver,- near causing one "a
one of the store just before Closing
time. He was arranging for a raid on
a certain suspected blind tiger n his
cause of approaching Mr.. Blount was
to tax him with having patronized the
tiger, telling him that he had evidence
to put him on the stand. This Mr..
iBlount disputed and the alteration
grew out of it. Whether Mr.. Roweil
raised his stick to strike Mr.. Blount or
mot cannot be subs tantiated.
Few persons can be found who are
sure how the fight started, but it is
certain hat Mr.. Blount seized Nj.
Rowells stick, vrenched 1t from him
land struck him over the forehead with
lit, breaking the sAin and rarising an
ugly knot. Mr.. lowell drew his pistol
and fired, the bail striking Mr.. Bloun+
just below the right temple and pierre
ing the brain, making it's exit from the
skull on the upper left side. He reel
led and fell unconscious. and though
he breathed for some time he never
suffered, nor was really conscious af-
ter blow. His apparently painful
breathing ceased after about 1890.
After the shooting he was taken I'D
and placed ON a cot in the station mas
tiers office where Dr.. King attended
him and later several other physicians.
Officer Turbeville, who was near tho
scene, arrested Mr.. Rowell, as soon as
the shot was fired. The alteration was
too brief and unexpected for interfer-
ience before the shot. Mr.. Rowell was
taken at once to the Jail where he con-
suited with his attorneys.
A Times reporter called on him there
learly this morning n found him very
nervous n in fact bordering on a
lproStration. He was lying on a cot in
a very comfortable cell, the ugly wound
in his forehead covered over with strips
iof plaster.
He would make no statement, think
ing that best, though he said he mad
nothing to conceal Or fear from a full
knowledge of the acts. He greatly re-
greeted the affair, was really in serious
distress because Of it. He did not at
that time know that MI. Blount was
dead and did not seem to think that
the shot had been fatal.
Mr. Blount was AZ years old, he was
born in old Trinity, n. c., and attend
led that college in his youth. He came
here a good many years ago and had
become thoroughly identified with al!
the interests Of this section.
He had been married twice. his first
wife was Miss Williamson, Of Clinton.
IN. c., n by this marriage had two
sons; w. w. Blount, now a conductor
on the A. C. l.. and Ben, who died .
few years ago just as he completed mis-
apprenticeship in the shops.
His-second~ wife was Miss Cain, IF
Lyman, and she, with four boys, and
la baby girl, survive him.
Mr.. Blount has been for a number of
years a special officer for the Coast
Lime and had the confidence of the Of
;ficers of the road