The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1907-06-15
TRAGEDY AT BILOXI.
Prsminent Banker Kills Wife and Takes His
Own Life Last Saturday.

A terrible tragedy, the like OF which
has not shocked the people of Biloxi in
years, took place at a quarter past 2
O'Clock Saturday afternoon in that city.
when Capt. John Walker, in his own
house, shot and killed his wife and turn
ing the weapon upon himself blew out
his own brains. A few minutes later
the police hastily called to the scene
found the old couple lying side by side
in the front room of their house with
the furnitcre and walls spattered with
blood and pools of the same lffe-red fluid
showing on the carpet and the rug.
Capt. Walker lay still and CHASTITY, while
Mrs. Walker was still breathing in con-
vulsiAe gasps. She died at p. m.
Capt. and Mrs. Walker lived at l25
Seal avenue, and c. H. Williams, who
lives directly across the street, and who
heard the three shots, was the first to
telephone for the police and a physician.
Officer Randolph responded to the call
and DR.. G.. F. Carroll was the first ply
sician to arrive on the scene, follow ed
by DR.. Folkes. The old couple were
found lying on their backs side by side
and with their bopies touching and di-
rectly in front of the dresser.
Mrs. Walker had been shot twice,
once through the arm and once through
the brain. The bullet that killed Capt.
Walker entered the head rather high on
the right side and passing downward
came out near the left ear. Both bodies
lay on their backs and the mans head
struck the dresser as he fell, smearing
it with blood. At their feet lay So
calibre revolver with three chambers
empty. The weapon was blood smeared
and particles of hair were upon the bar
rel.
The only reason known for the terrible
act is domestic difficulties. During a
part of toe forenoon and at dinner time
neighbors living in the adjoining house
heard the two engaged in dispute OF
some nature, as they were talking in
loud and apparently angry tones.
Evidently the first shot that was fired
struck Mrs. Walker in the arm. She
was heard to scream and demonstrate
with her husband, and to cry out, "Don't
do that" or words of similar import
which could not be clearly distinguished.
In about ten seconds, say those who
heard the shooting, the second shot rang
out, when the screaming ceased, and in
about another five seconds the third
shot was fired and heavy body was
heard to fall to the floor.
The news of the terrible affair spread
quickly over the city and crowd soon
collected about the Walker home.
Capt. Walker has one son who lives
in New Orleans, a child by his first wife,
and several grand children.
Positive evidence that the terrible
deed which resulted in his own and his
wife's death was premediated by Capt.
Walker was shown at the inquest held
by Judge 2. T. Champlin shortly after
the shooting occurred, when a slip OF
paper was found in the dead mans
pocket containing the following words I:
Telegraph my son, ]. H. Walker,
s22 France street, New Orleans"
This message was written with lead
pencil on slip of paper such as is used
by banks and Offices for scratch paper.
The handwriting is shaky, showing a
perturbed condition of mind when it
was written.
Capt Walker went down to his busi-
ness at the bank this morning at S:3C
and went home to his dinner at IL O'Clock
as usual, and at no time showed by his
demeanor that there was anything wrong
or that he contemplated the rash act
B. A. Bond, assistant cashier at the
bank, talked with him frequently during
the morning regarding business affairs
and found him perfectly rational.
Capt. Walkers business affairs art
known to be in good condition, and the
financial condition of the Bank O.
| Biloxi, of which he was president, il
| such as to give no possible reason fo1
his wishing to take his life. Mr.. Bono
stated that he was utterably unable t
| assign any cause for the deed.
Capt. Walker was president of tht
Bank of Biloxi and was one of the fore
| most fnanciers in Mississippi. He wa
born iii Pennsylvania, March q, 1884
and, in is49 lett home and weyt'to sea
He ioined the United States navy ant
served with Commodore Perry in Japar
| in 1852 and 1858, when that dought,
American opened Japan's ports to com
nierce. At the outbreak iof the civi
| war he enlisted in the Confederate nav.
and served with distinction in tha
great struggle, being commissioner
captain and placed in command OF tht
Mississippi Sound fleet. He has beer
mayor Of Biloxi and has held numerous
other offices Of public trust in city ant
county.
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