The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1910-03-10
MAYOR LIvERMON's STATEMENT,

mere IaSC FRIDAY. MANY CONNECTING
and inaccurate reports have gone
cut for the information CT the pub
lie. AS Mayor [ desire to give a
correct statement Of the essential
facts. The facts ere as follows:
MIR. z. L. Travis had come to
Scotland Neck from Halifax on the
morning CT the 4ti, instant to appear
in an action that was pending IN the
court Of a justice of the peace, and
MIR. A. Paul kitchin appeared on
opposite side. None Of the PoWelis
were interested or had knowledge
|! of the case. Travis was returning
from dinner with Mr.. kitchin to the
latter's Office. When they had got
ten in front CT Noolard's livery
stables. which has an open space
about 80 by 100 feet along the street,
Z. F. Powell, S.. who had followed
them, stopped in front u, Fir. Travis
and placing his hand upon Mr..
Travis shoulder, asked, us this Mr..
Travis ?" Mr.. Travis replied that it
was. Then Powell asked, why
didn't you answer my letter ?" (The
letter referred to had reference to
the employment Of Mr.. Travis to
defend P0Well's son at the August
term Of the Superior Court Of Hall
fax county, 1903, and contained
nothing mysterious Tie exact COPY
q the letter appears with tHi5 state
ment) Mr. Travis replied that it
/ had aean 50 long taat he ii! not re-
/ cal receiving The letter. Then
Powell said. as this the only excuse
. Shat sou have Ser mo- replying 20
/ Travis assentci. POWELL then c0.il-
u1a1caG h curse Travis. On account
OF his age ana thinking that Powell
was probably unler the Influence OF
liquor Travis made no attempt to
resent the abuse. Ir. kirchin, III q
friendly ard concluding manner,
gently placed his hand on PoWeli's
shoulder and said, "Oil man, don't
get excited. He ha& hardly finish
ed the sentence before Powell had
drawn ana fired his pistol full in
hitchln's face, and as quickly as 1t
could be done, shot Travis. FIR. {.
W. Dunn was about ten feet away
in the livery stables open space,
.,
70 his own business and was unaware
/ Of the presence Of Messrs. Travis
and Nitchin or Of Powell. He Was
sitting Oh q tire set" with his ba ok
to them watching his horse whic;2
was being prepared to be clipped,
when the two shots rang out as
quickly IS they could be fired The
explosions caused him to arise, and
rs he was turning in their direction
he was shot by Powell, the ball eli
tering under the left shoulder, pass
ing across his spinal column, pena-
tratino tire right lung and proving
fatal. Neither II the tbreG-'irav,s,
Kitchin or Dun0-had reason to sus-
poet that such an assault was in
! tended.
In the case referred to in the let
ter Of Powell Mr.. Kitchin appeared
+ for PoWell's son, but Mr.. Travis had
no appearance Threats have here
, tofore been made by Powell against
both Travis and Dunn, but they had
not been taken seriously. Mr. Dunn
! had on several occasions been called
upon to execute warrants upon
Powell's sen, Aquiila, and on one
occasion, as al officer, caused Powell
to desist cursing Oh the streets. It
seems that this was the cause Of his
malice towards Dunn. His feeling
towards Travis was probably caused
by Travis failure to reply TO the let
ter referred to. 4 search by Mr.
W. E. Daniel in Mr.. Travis Office at
Halifax brought the letter to light
in pile of papers, Evidently it had
been overlooked by Travis, as it was
unopened, and Travis was ignorant
Of its contents. i is known that at
the last August court Powell had
accosted Mr.. Travis about the letter.
MIR. Dunn was a brave and fear
less officer, one whose place cannot
be filled in this community, and one
Of the best by long experience and
high courage, and it is unjust to his
memory that there should be sug.
gestion that he was retreatinC, as
appeared in Sundays papers.
Powell is not man of property
!. He and his oldest son, Ed run q
little store in the town, carrying not
, to exceed three hundred dollars stock,
, The store is located about fifty yards
south Of the place of the tragedy or
the same side of the street. Powell
was accustomed to make violent
threats. While some considered him
desperate and dangerous man
others looked upon him as buffer
, or brag. He is a drinking man
He has the reputation of being ar
accurate pistol marksman.
The statements heretofore made
IN the papers that there was TO at.
tempt to arrest Powell are CHROME.
Gus. Immediately after the shoot
, ing he went to his store with his
pistol in his hand, got his shot CUR
and went to his home. An officer
was sent at once to guard his home
Parties were at once deputized tt
make the arrest, but before it coulc
be done, some lady members of his
family came to me and said thai
Powell would kill any one that came
and tried to arrest him, but that il
the authorities would not proceed tc
make the arrest with force they
would persuade him to give up his
arms and surrender A ert1ard n,