Democratic messenger., 1906-12-29
STRICKLAND
SHOT DOWN
Tragedy Occurred In His Store
At Klei Grange. Last Saturday.
Samuel K. Davis Com.
\ 4 mitted The Crime.

ISamNel X Davis shot and instantly
killed Mr.. Alfred G. Strickland, at the
store of Mr.. Strickland in klej Grange
last Saturday morning. about II
O'Clock. Davis walked into the store,
drew a revolver and shot Mr.. Strick-
land through the heart.
The tragedy has upset the vicinity in
which it occurred Mrs Strickland
was not at home when her husband was
killed She was on her way to Girdle-
tree. the nearest railroad station, to
meet the Oldest son, who was to come
home from college 1t was while IN
Girdletree that she heard of the tragedy.
At the inquest Sunday the testimony
showed that Mr.. Strickland was popu-
lar and respected in Klej Grange, and
the only man who bore him enmity was
Davis, who shot him. The latter $
mind has long been known to have
been unbalanced He has. however,
been able to care for himself, and has
accumulated enough money to deposit
in two of the county banks. He is also
regarded as competent to judge be
tween right and wrong, and while Mr.
Strickland was honored by his neighbors.
Davis is an outcast among them on
account of his temper and degenerate
ways.
| The shooting occurred about II o clock
when all the clerks were absent TO
dinner, and from what occurred at the
time and from the movements Of Davis,
he seems to have selected this hour as
best suited for his work. Mr. Tilghman,
head clerk in the Strickland stole, where
the murder was committed. testified
that he met Davis going into the store
as he was on his way to dinner. He
spoke to him, but does not remember
that Davis replied.
" Susan Mcrrell and Anna Holland
were the only eye witnesses Of the
shooting They were in the store when
Davis entered. They say he did not
speak to them, but passed on in the di-
rection of Mr.. Strickland, who. when
within close range, was shot at by Davis.
who did not say word to his intended
victim. The pistol was fired directly
over the shoulder of the Holland woman
as she moved toward Mr.. Strickland
Davis, after firing the shot. left the
store and went to his home. where he
was arrested by Deputy Sheriff Gordon
Bowen. DR. Bennum, who was sum
moned from Girdletree to attend Mr..
Strickland. said that death had been al
most instantaneous and that the shot
must have been fired with precision.
George W. Porter, who also testified
befofe the jury, gave the only motive
for the crime. He had heard Davis say
sometime ago that he intended TO get
even with Strickland and that he had
better look out. Mr.. Strickland some
months ago refused to cash a check
made payable to Davis. and this seemed
to have incensed him to almost an un-
controlabe degree. Then he had pur-
chased at the Strickland store pair of
shoes which did not wear as well as he
thought they should This angered him
still more.
v The jury rendered a verdict that al
\ fred g. Strickland came to his death by
a pistol shot at the hands Of Samuel
\ King Davis with malice aforethought.
THE jurors were VIM. f. Hillman, G..
F. Taylor, Charles Pruitt, Thomas
Adkins, Edward Merritt, Cleveland
Jones. Stansbury Richie. Alfred 7.
Carter, William f. Carter. Thomas
Payne, Thomas A. Collins and Norman
Adkins. Mr.. Strickland was the son of
William G. Strickland, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church Conference for the
Wilmington district.
States Attorney William f. Johnson
was present at the inquest which was
conducted by Justice of the Peace
Theodore w. Pruitt, Of Snow Hill
Davis was arrested on Saturday at
his home. He made no resistance and
when asked by Deputy Sheriff Gordon
l.. Bowen, why he killed Mr.. Strickland.
replied. II had to do it. "
Davis is well-known IN Snow Hill.
having been employed in the big mill"
here part Of last year as laborer.
His eccentricities were publicly com
mented upon. and it was the opinion Of
many that he was not well balanced.