The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-09-18

One man mOrtally wounded and an
other in a desperate condition IS the
result of a fight that occurred his
morning about 100 o'clock in a disreD-
utable house in the eastern section of
the city. w. L. Williams, a prominent
young man of this city, was shot in the
left temple just above the eye and
there is no possible hope of his re-
cOVery. LOnnie Snipes, another young
man Of this city, was shot in the
stomach but there is some hope of his
recovery. The horrible affair occurred
in the same house that a double TRACE
dy was enacted just about this time
last year when a travelling man shot
an inmate of the house and then turn
ed the pistol upOn himself.
The tragedy occurred in the house
formerly occupied by Gussie Greer but
now by Maud Primer. 1t is at Eighth
anr MacRae streets. From what can
be learned a crowd of young men went
to the house very much intoxicated and
among the number was Laurence Pin
ner, who is we'll known here. Young
Primer and Viola Mcdonald, who is
said to have opened the door, had some
words and the woman says that Pin
ner struck her and knocked her into
a window. Snipes, who is a friend OF
the Mcdonald woman interferred and
a general miX-up ensued. During the
fight Williams endeavOred to interfere
and when he did so Snipes drew his
pistol and fired, the bullet entering
Williams left temple above the eye.
He fell and it was apparent at once
that he was desperately wounded.
Special Policeman Tom Groom was in
the house and he started towards
Snipes TO arrest him. Snipes dashed
from the house with Groom in pursuit
and when they got on the street Groom
say that Snipes turned and fired upOn
him. In a fash Groom had cut his
pistol and fired fOur times at Snipes,
one bullet taking effect and entered
his stomach on the LETT side not far
above the GrOin. He also fell suffering
horribly.
IN the meantime sine of the people
living in the vicinity notified the police
and Sergeant Burnett who was the
only officer at the hall at the time
dashed Out and up Chestnut street as
fast as he could. The patel wagon
followed in a few minutes. When the
officer arrived the mer were lying just
as they fell. The hospital was called
up and the men carried to the hospital.
Sergeant Burnett stated that hen he
went in % look a Williams that his
brains were Oozing from the bullet
wound N his forehead. Laurence Pin
ner and Viola Mcdonald were placed I'm
der arrest and carried 20 the city hal.
where tie will be held in all D~robahil-
ity until & hearing takes place.
When Sergeant Burnett reached
SnipeS he was still conscious L he
told the officer that several men in the
house juIlied CT him and that he
snatched a pistol on O. another mans
hand and fred and that he could not
say whether he hit n one or not.
The shooting occurred in a large oom
just to the rear of the main part of
the house. 1t is known as a ball 70
but the Mcdonald woman said there
was no ball last night. Young Primer
was very much under the influence OF
LIQUOR wher carried to the city hall and
Gid not seem to realize the seriousness
OF the crime which had occurred and
the woman did not seem TO care much
from ner actions. She "a very angry
a. Primer.
The house where the affair occurred
is the red Light district. 1t car We'll
be called the house or murders and the
district for some time past known as
the worst place in the city will be re-
garded as q most dangerous place and
MacRae street VIII be regarded as a
dangerous street to traverse in the
night time.
w. ". L. Williams. the young man
Whc was shot in the temple is a native
of Kentucky and came to this city
some five Or six years ago. He for
merry travelled for the firm of Williams
Bros, but has recently been travelling
fnv a n6Tn n-Itfrr ao1 or nnronnr- 7 Sc