Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-08-23
NEGRO SHOT
In P0CA
Burglar Comes to his Death by
a Pistol Ball Which Was
Fired in Self Defence


About three-thirty O'Clock Tuesday
morning, G. III. Lawrence, of the
firm of Howard 4 Law renee, heard
noise on Center street of some
breaking glass, and on going TO his
window discovered that a party was
effecting an entrance to the clothing
store of Joseph Miller. Mr. Lawrence
Immediately ran TO the room of his
partner, G. A. Howard, Jr., and a
wakened him, informing him that a
burglar was breaking into the store
of Miller. Mr.. Howard got To the
scene of the trouble first and was fol-
lowed by Lawrence. On arriving he
found a nergo coming out of the
broken hole in the door, and on call
ing to him to hold up his hands, the
nergo did so, but with a pistol in
each hand pointed at Mr.. Howard.
To save his own life Mr.. Howard
fired, one shot taking effect between
the eyes and coming out the back of
the burglars head, killing him in
stantly.
The dead man was searched and
had in his possession eleven watches,
and eleven pistols, which he had
gotten from Miller's store.
The negro was about 80 years old
and has been identified as John Will
liams, alias the Kid, alias Sam Heg-
man. He is n native of Bedford coun-
ty, this state, but has been living at
Welch and Keystone for some time.
He only came 10 Pocahontas on yes
terday.
An inquest was held on Tuesday,
composed of the following gentlemen
Police Justice, John w. Owens, act
ing coroner; w. w. Breneman, ID. j.
Taylor, Joe Matz, j. w. Deaton, j.
II. McNeer and DR.. Geo.. III. Zim-
norman.
The conclusions reached by the jury
was that the negro came TO his
death by pistol shot fired by Mr..
&. a. Howard, Jr., and we verify
believe same was fired in self defence
ETC." After the inquest was held
warrant was Immediately sworn out
by Sergeant CIV. Mays for the kill
ing OF John Williams by CA. How
ard, Jr.. Mr.. Howard was arraigned
b efore Hon. John w. Owens, who
on hearing the evidence of Messrs c..
III. Lawrence, II L. Pemberton, G.
w. Mays and Jospeh Miller rem
dered the following decision:
Upon hearing the evidence TO the
within charge adjudge the defen-
dant, G.. A. Howard, Jr., not guilty
of felonious killing as charged, but
find the killing purely in self de-
fence and dismiss the defendant.
Given under my hand this the Goth
day of August, 1907.
JOHN w. OWENS,
Police Justice.
CA Howard, Jr., is an ative of
Floyd county, this state, and has
lived in Pocahontas n number of
years, having come here from Blue
field, where he was for several years
associated in business with f. S.
Pedigo. He is good and law -abid-
ing citizen, is chief of the fire depart
ment and is man who can be relied
on TO do any service called on for the
good of his fellow man. 1t was only
few months ago that "A negro despe-
RADIO shot at the police of this town
in the day time, and it was Mr..
Howard, whose nerve and quick ac-
tion came TO the rescue of the police.
Without the aid Of gun he held the
desperate until he was placed In
irons.
Mr.. G.. A. Howard is we'll known
in Tazewell, having made frequent
business trips here. He is the junior
member of the firm of Howard q
Lawrence, the well known clothiers
of Pocahontas, and is a law-abiding
and public spirited citizen of his
town.
Birthday Celebration at Falls
Mills