The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-01-11
NEGRO KILLED
ONE, WOUND
A SECOND MAN
MAN WHO MURDERED r. S. MAYS
AT TURPENTINE CAMP, ALSO
PERHAPS FATALLY WOUNDED
D. J. GOODWIN.

sThe body Of Robert S. Mays, the
Pensacola turpentine operator shot in
the West Bay section Of WASHINGTON
county Monday afternoon, arrived
here late last night Tie funeral
party brought the first authentic de-
tails Of the tragedy received here,
which includes an attack by the negro
assassin on another white man, D. J.
Goodwin, formerly Of this city He is
now under the care of physicians al
St Andrews and yesterday was in an
! Exceedingly dangerous condition with
| a bullet hole in his abdomen. Mr.
Mays received four bullets. three in
the stomach and one in the left side.
He lived about fifteen minutes.
The funeral party also brought the
first description of the negro assassin
received here. It has been turned
over to local deputies and the search
| for the negro has been renewed
| The funeral will take place from the
home, 922 North Ninth avenue, at .
O'Clock this afternoon. Interment will
be in ST. Johns cemetery.
Details Of Tragedy.
Mr.. Mays had recently leased a
large section of land from the West
Bay Naval Stores Company and had
only begun operations a short time
ago. Goodwin was a Woodsman in his
employ and also acted as bookkeeper
for the company. He is unmarried.
The negro alleged to have attacked
Mr.. Mays and Ntr. Goodwin had been
in the neighborhood Of the camp about
two months, having come from Mari
anna about two months ago From
the report received here last night
little seemed to have been known of
him, as his relations were with either
Mr.. Mays or Mr.. Goodwin, therefore
This name is yet unknown to the au-
thorities.
After working awhile for the COM
pany, he had become dissatisfied and
had left its employ. He claimed a
few dollars back pay and Monday
went to the headquarters Of the camp,
demanding a settlement. He insisted
upon seeing Mr.. Mays in person and
three times asked to see him. Mr..
Mays finally responded and left the
commissary, by the rear door, in COM
pany with Mr.. Goodwin, to speak to the
negro, who awaited them on the out
side. AS he left the building Mr.
Mays is said to have remarked, 'I'll
settle with you, but you must leave
the camp" Thereupon the negro
opened fire at close quarters. Mr.
Mays fell to his knees with the first
fire and even after that the negro con-
tinued, until two more bullets had
penetrated Mr.. Mays's body. He then
turned his revolver on Mr.. Goodwin,
with the final bullet of the fve-cham-
Der revolver.
w. L. Hammond and W. B. Merritt,
the latter superintendent of the West
Bay company, were the only white
men in the camp at the time. Before
they could hasten to the wounded men,
the negro had made his escape through
the woods. Mr.. Mays lived only about
Fifteen minutes and expired where me
had fallen, while Mr.. Goodwin was
able to walk with assistance into the
commissary. He was Immediately
sent to St. Andrews, where he received
medical attention
Description Of Negro.
". L. Chance, a member of the
party accompanying Mr.. Mays's body
| to this city, brought with him a de.
sc1iption Of the negro which is con-
sideTed authentic. However, the au.
thorities have thus far been unable to
secure his name.
The negro IS said to be about five
feet, seven inches in height, of char
coal color and weighing about 40
pounds. His features are small with
thin lips. His teeth are very white
and regular and his age is given as
between twenty-five and thirty years
He also wore a small moustache.
This description was Immediately
handed over to Deputies c. w. John
son and B. r. Bowman, who met the
train here last night, and has been
placed on file. Mr.. Chance also
stated that a reward had been offered
for the negro's capture by the West
Bay company and that it would soon
be augmented by one from Governor
| Gilchrist. He stated that the negro is
believed to have fled toward Poin.
Washington or Vernon.
FUNERAL THIS AFTERNOON.
The funeral services will be con-
| Quoted from the home at o'clock this
afternoon, Rev. Mr.. Threadwell. pastor
lof the First Methodist Episcopal
church officiating The services will
be followed by internent in St Johns
| cemetery. The following have been