The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-17

Capt. Asa @, Ward, postmaster at
Harris and we'll known in coast wise
and sound shipping circles, died yes
terday afternoon at the Pensacola San
itarium as a result OF a blow on the
head alleged TO have beer dealt hY
Norby Spottswood, formerly of this city
The affair occurred on the beach at
Harris and the blow crushed the skull.
Norby Spottswoo6 and his brother
Ed. Spottswood, passed through tha
city last night in custody Of Deputy
Sheriff Pryor who took them to Milton.
The charge against NorbY at that time
was assault and against Ed for being
an accessory, It being alleged that he
stood by with a shot gun in his hand.
The trial before q committing n1agia-
trate at F'fve-Mile bayou was prior to
the death of Captain Ward. and Il is
expected this charge Will be changed
after coroners s jury is empanelled
Captain Ward was rushed to tha
sanitarium from Harris coming there
yesterday morning and the best OF
treatment given him. an operation be-
ing performed. but he died yesterday
afternoon about o'clock, the blow on
the head being the direct cause OF his
death. Hta wife and one child were IN
the city az Rhe ttnEss and winana all hmraa
for him had been abandoned, they
We're sent for and were at the sanitar-
ium when he died.
The trouble occurred Thursday near
the home OF Mr.. Spottswood, who
makes his home with hts sister, at
Harris. Immediately after being at
tackled, and after the blow had been
inflicted, the resident physician at Har-
ris said that it would be best TO take
the sufferer to Pensacola for treatment,
and arrangements were made to bring
Capt Ward here on a launch. About
that time the steamer Florida showed
up and was hailed Capt Phillip Ward,
of the Florida, is a brother of the vic
tim, while another relative Is second
captain. The boat was made to reach
this port in as short q time as possi-
BILE, and upon reaching her dock. the
was called and Capt Ward
barely alive. was rushed to the sanitar-
ium. There he was treated with tho
best of skill, but the blow proved to
have been fatal one, and his death
occurred as stated above.
The trouble had its origin over the
right of possession of a single log.
Statements accredited to eye witness
es a1lege that log, which was said to
belong to Capt Ward, had drifted on
the beach near the home OF Mr.. Spotts-
wood, and Capt. Ward Thursday went
over there to get it. Mr.. SpottBwood.
II is alleged. objected to the log being
moved, but IL was explained that Capt
Ward was only taking what rightfully
belonged to him. No words, II was
were exchanged. and It ap-
saying, that there would be nothing OF
a serious nature coming from the diff
ference. Suddenly, It was further
Mr.. Spcotswood. swung a hoe
and struck Capt. Ward over the head.
infiicting in the single blow a fatal
wound
The sufferer was given the best at
tention available at the settlement, but
this was soon seen to be insufficient,
and it was decided TO bring him to the
city for a surgical operation.
A REGULAR VISITOR.
Capt Ward was the owner of two
small vessels which made weekly trips
to Pensacola, one Of them carrying the
malls 1t was only at a comparatively
late date that he had been appointed
q deputy sheriff in Santa Rosa county.
under Sheriff Harvell, and he was also
postmaster of his town. He was prom
Inent socially, and had numerous
friends and aquaintances in this city.
~. Spottswood. the one who is said
10 have struck h9m the fatal blow with
the hoe, is also known here, and
has many friends and relatives ETis
brother. Edward, who was also at Har-
ris, ts said to heve been present when
the trouble occurred between Norby and
Captain Ward He lives at Harris,