St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-05-30
A FIGHT WITH GUNS
LIN Which Two are Killed
and Several Receive
Bad Wounds
Loss Of Life and Damage
by Floods jim Texas
and Oklahoma.
Fight With Guns.

Brookhaven, Miss, May %. Grow
ing out Of a difficulty between Will
liam Hilton and John Nations, which
began several days ago, and was re-
sumed this afternoon, four-cornered
battle occurred in front of the Ma
tons home just before dark to-day,
which resulted in the death of Hilton
and his son, Thomas Hilton; the fatal
wounding of negro who was with
the Hiltons. William and Tom Hilton
were shot and killed by John Nations
son Tom, who, when he heard the
firing commence in front of his home,
went out with shotgun in hand and
used it with deadly effect, quickly put
ting an end to the battle.
The shooting occurred about six
miles from Brookhaven, On the road
between this place and Big Springs.
Both families are we'll known in this
community, and both of the young
men were well thought of, and the
news of the double and probably triple
tragedy spread like a forest fire
throughout the country. There is
much excitement here, but there is
| little demonstration on the part of the
citizens. The sheriff left Brookhaven
at late hour tonight for the Ma
tions' home in order to arrest Tom
Nations, the young man who killed
the Hiltons, father and son, and 1t
was believed that the young man
would make no attempt to get away.
Physicians also departed for the
scene in order to render aid to the
wounded Nations, and to the negro,
4 who, from what can be learned, took
no part in the affair, but was in the
wagon with the Hiltons, who were on
their way home. 1t was believed that
members of the Hilton family would
come to Broohaven for coffins for
| the dead, and it was expected that
then something Of the fights details
could be learned. So far only meager
information has been received here.
It seems that William Hilton and
John Nations, the two elder men, met
in town the other day and engaged in
some discussion that almost precipi-
tated trouble. They came to town
again to-day and the trouble was re-
sumed, but no blows were passed, and
/ the men were separated before too
much had been said. Mr.. Nations left
for his home early in the afternoon,
and it was not until several hours later
that the Hiltons decided to return
home, to do which necessitated their
going by the home of John Nations.
Nothing was thought of this, however,
and there is said to have been no
thought of trouble when the men de-
parted from Brookhaven. Neverthe-
less, when the Hiltons arrived at Ma
tions' home they saw John Nations
standing in front of his house. Some
words were passed, and Mr.. Hilton
pulled up his horses and renewed the
argument of the afternoon. What the
matter was about, however, no one
has been able to find out, but what
ever it was the two men, as well as
the son of Hilton disagreed violently.
It is not known exactly how the
fight started, or who made the first
ugly move, but suddenly the firing
began. Nations got out his revolver,
and began pouring its contents in the
wagon out Of which the Hiltons were
climbing as fast as they could. They
had not been hit by this fusillade, and
were returning shot for shot from
firearms they had in the wagon. A
negro who was in the wagon with the
HiItons was wounded early in the bat,
tie, and it is believed that he took nc
part in the fight.
1t was then that the younger Ma,
tions, having heard the shooting from
the interior of the house, or having
anticipated trouble from the Hiltons
came running out Of the house carry
ing a doubIe-barreled shotgun, anc
CRYING, "I'll get 'em, father; I'll gel
'emp5 1t was then that the shotgun
proved itself more effective weapon
at short range than rifles and pistols
for the Hiltons, father and son, were
laid low with the two consecutive
shots fired by the young man.
In the meanwhile John Nations
father of the slayer, had been wound
ed and was lying in the road, rapid!
bleeding to death, while Tom Nations
bent over him. Three other huddlet
forms were barely discernible in the
now rapidly approaching darkness
living in the dusty country road, twt
of which were torn by terrible gun
shot wounds.
Nations was carried into his hous,
Immediately and one of the negroe
was dispatched to Brookhaven for ali
and physicians, who Immediately lef
in company with the sheriff, but at
late hour they had not returned to tn
city.
All parties concerned are men o
good standing in Brookhaven and BIZ
Springs. Hilton and Nations are mel
!. of family. The Nations are not known
to have ever been in any trouble be
fore. About a year ago the eide
. Hilton killed man named Williams
. who had attacked him and his sol
Tom, the same young man who wa
shot and killed in the fight to-day
The killing was made with shor
knife, while Williams welded pitch
fork, and managed to stick the younge
Hilton through the neck, inficting
painful wound. Hilton was indicte
for murder, tried and acquitted.
, Damaging Flood