The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-11-12
VOL. XLVIII
HOMICIDE AT PEMBROKE
ALI. S. Thomas, Indian, Shot and
Killed by W. D. Dixon, Former
Policeman of Pembroke-Coro-
ner's Inquest Yesterday.

fOuCeuAn Ol EemOIOke-COfO-
ner's Inquest Yesterday. !
ALI. s. Thomas, an Indian merchant |
of Pembroke, was shot and killed Sat-
urday night about 1880 o'clock by W. |
D. Dixon, also of Pembroke. Dixon
fired five shots at Thomas and all of
them took effect. Thomas only lived
As minutes after he was shot.
Sheriff R. E. Lewis was notified |
Immediately after the shooting and
ne and Deputy Sheriff A. H. Prevatt
hurried to Pembroke. They arrested
Dixon and he did not deny shooting
Thomas. but told the officers that
Thomas first fired at him. Dixon had
3 cash about an inch and half long
in his forehead, which he said was
tol There was also hole in DiXon's
hat corresponding with the cash in
his forehead. He was brought to the
Thompson hospital, where the wound
was dressed, and yesterday ne was
placed IN Jail to await further devel-
opments.
Dixon's story as told to the Off
GERS was that he met Thomas on the
street in front Of the Thomas store
and after they had exchanged a few
words about dog Thomas shot him
and he then shot Thomas.
Ia was in evidence at the coroner's
inquest yesterday that Dixon went to
Thomas store and called to Thomas
that he wanted to see him minute;
that Thomas was weighing out some
thing for customer and replied 'All
right, in minute; that Thomas, in
L. - IL -
of the store, brushing his hands to-
gether. and followed Dixon outside;
that as soon as they got few steps
from the store Dixon turned, caught
Thomas by his shirt front, and shot
him several times; that Dixon then
walked slowly away and Thomas
bending over, managed to walk to the
side door of his store and fell
inside. This testimony was given by
several Indians in the store and by
several others who were standing out
side. These men also testified that
they went to Thomas Immediately af
ter the shooting and found no pisto
either on his person on anywhere else
A young man who sleeps in the store
ut night testified that he keeps pis
to- ii the store ard that when tn,
shooting took place brother O
lE-4.GS VIZ - ~ Tie UOcI ctIlC AXE
~ here is Tixon?" M that fror TIL
darkness near the lroad Dixon said
"a ere [ am. Want 10 see me?" an,
that, fearing he would get the pistol
he went TO where it was kept, fount
1t in its usual place with every cham
ber loaded, and hid it.
Justice n. NcInnis was summone
at once and took Thomas dying state
ment. in which he said ne did no
know why Dixon shot him and that h
had 10 pistol or other weapon wit
which to defend himself
MIR. Proctor, clerk in a store a
Pembroke, who proved high charac
ter, testified that on his way to SUP
per he overlook Dixon; that Dixo
told him Thomas had said he Dixon
shot somebody else's dog because
knew that man would take it, but tha
because he knew he (Thomas) would nc
stand for it, and that he would XII
Thomas dog and Thomas too, ths
he was going over there and shoe
the liver out of Thomas. Mr.. Pro,
tor said ne tried to dissuade Dixo
from having any trouble about a do
but that Dixon walked on with hi
and left him as they neared Thoma
store, Dixon walking toward the sto1
and he, Proctor, walking on towal
home; that soon he heard four or fly
shots and ran on home. -
Coroner G. E. Rancke was out
town and Mr.. J. P. Townsend held Il
inquest. The jury was composed
Messrs. H. c. Freeman, c. NJ. Bar
er, H. c. Rogers, r. C. Birmingham
l. B. Townsend and w. w. Davis. IT
verdict of the jury was that "Thom
came to his death from a gunsh
wound, the gun being in the hands
W. D. Dixon"
Dixon was formerly policeman
Rowland and later at Pembroke, a.
assisted in arresting Thomas sor
two years ago when Thomas shot
the town, and bad blood is said
have existed between the two m
since that time. Thomas served
months road sentence as the RESI-
of his doings at the time Dixon {
sisted in arresting him. Reliable m
also say that Thomas had threaten
to kill Dixon if he ever attempted
arrest him again. Dixon had not be
an officer at Pembroke for some tin
hi~a 81 ~