The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-09-29
SHERIFF SMITH
OF VOLUSIA GO.
Shoots to Kill W. A. MCCaskilI
on Lake GeOrqe

Sheriff Smith of Volusia while making
a raid ON some fishermen on Lake
George at an early hour yesterday morn
ing shot and killed VIM. a. McCaSkill
of Drayton Island
At the time of the shooting the Nc
Caskill brothers, w. A. and Allen, were
in their launch going toward their home.
If they were ordered by the sheriff TO
stop, the noise of the motor drowned
the official voice-they didn't hear.
The McCaSkill's are independent fish
ermen, and were out in their boat proba-
bly, for the purpose of catching some
fish. They saw that Sheriff Smith was
making a raid on the other men and that
the officer had already made several ar
rests.
They therefore started for home. A
deputy sheriff approached the McCaSkill
boat and told them that he would have
to place them under arrest
The McCaskill's asked the deputy il
he had a warrant. The deputy replied
that he had not. 1t is then stated that
the McCaskill boys told the deputy that
they lived on Drayton Island; that they
could be found there at any time they
were wanted, but that in order TO arrest
them he should come armed with war
rant.
With this the deputy did not insist on
OBTAINING them and the McCaskill boys
continued on toward home. They had
not gone far when another boat started
for them, but they continued on their
way.
Mr. Allen McCaskill told the News
that they heard no command 10 stop.
They did not know who was in the
pursuing boat. They did not hear the
shot.
Ii is said that the Sheriff shot at the
McCaskill boat three times. 1t was the
third shot that killed w. A. McCaSkill.
The boat was stopped Immediately
after Mr.. McCaSkill was shot and Sher
iff Smith soon caught up with it and saw
" hat he had done.
He came with the wounded man and
his brother Allen TO Welaka, where the
matter was reported 10 Sheriff kennerly.
The wounded man was seen immedi-
ately on his arrival in Welaka by Dr.
Main.
The bullet was of large calibcr; ii
struck McCaSkill in the temple over the
right eve and came out of his forehead.
Ii tore a piece out of his skull as large as
a dollar and the skull was cracked about
five inches back from the wound. Mr.
McCaskill lived about two hours after
reaching Welaka, but never regained
consciousness after he was shot
Sheriff Smith stated that he ordered
McCaskil's boat TO stop. AS ii did moi
do SO he fired He intended 10 fire
over the boat; but just as he fired the last
shot negro on the boat with him
changed positions and lowered the boat
on his side, casing the shot 10 go lower
than intended. He says he did not in
tend to hit the occupants OF the boat.
The sheriff is represented as very
much alarmed over the predicament his
officiousneSS has gotten him into.
He was not arrested.
There is much indignation among the
people of Welaka. Many OF them are
in an ugly mood.
Some OF the best men in and about
Welaka declare Smiths act 10 be moth
ing but cold -blooded murder.
Alfred Abshier is the justice of the
peace at Welaka. He didn't want TO
hold an inquest. He said Smith admit
ted the kiIling-that he claimed it was
accidental, and the justice couldn't see
any law or reason for putting the people
of the county 10 the expense OF an in
quest.
But there are two sides TO the killing,
and the people of Wclaka demanded an
inquest, so the justice impanellcd jury
about dark and the jury examined the
body and the wound. Then the in
quest was adjourned 10 next Tuesday,
October Sd, in order that all the wit
nesseS can be summoned.
| Deputy Sheriff Hagan was on the
ground TO look after things. Sheriff
Smith went back home early in the day.
How he is going TO wiggle out OF this
killing is not now apparent.
The man he shot is one of the best
men in Putnam county. He is the
Youngest of three brothers who came
here from Alabama about 1875, and no
men in the county have stood higher as
citizens.
w. A. McCaskill, the murdered man.
was married six or seven years ago TO
Miss Theresa Rembert, very talented
lady whose contributions TO the press
under the name of ''Huntrcss" will iden.
tify her to old citizens. They have one
little child two years old.
MIR. McCaSkilI was buried at Drayton
Island last night The funeral was con
Quoted by Rev. Mr.. HiScock.
Sheriff Smith left Welaka soon after
his explanation of the shooting. He
took with him a dozen men and boy!
whom he had arrested charged with vic
lating the Volusia idea of the fishing
law. Among those arrested three arr
employees of w. ]. Smith of George
town; Tom Douglass and two of hi
men; and Joe Warns, Walter Robinson
Walter Maddox, William Nelson ant
little BERTHE Kemp, employees of l.. a
Morris of Welaka.
There is much indignation felt be
cause Smith has not been arrested. Tha
he should be and brought TO trial Charg
ed with murder is the conviction OF al
who have investigated the case at clos
range.
But before anything else is done Gov
Gilchrist should remove him from oi