Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-05-07
VIRGINIA EDUCATOR
Ssh 0 I TO DE ATH
IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Professor Marshall Coode
Homes, Native of Boyd
ton, Victim of Attack.
UNIVERSITY OF S. C.
SCENE OF TRAGEDY
Slayer, Marshal of Institu.
ton, Turns Gun on Him.
self With Fatal Effect.
HAD DISAGREED OVER PLANS
Feud Existed Between Men Due to
Disagreement over Construction
Project.
UNIVERSITY OF S. C.
SCENE OF TRAGEDY
AID DISAGREED OVER PLANS
Feud Existed Between Men Due to
Disagreement over Construction
Project.
[Ry Assoclated press. !

COLUMBIA, ). C.. May 6.-NarshaI
Ben Halle OF the University of South
Carolina. shot and killed Professor
Marshall Goode Homes, a native of
Boydton. Va. and then committed
suicide. after shooting indiscrimi-
nately In the university offices. Pres
ident w, s. Currell. of the unlver-
stty, said in statement issued
this afternoon.
President Currell said there had
been bitter feeling between tho two
men growing out OF their conflicting
duties at the university.
Halle, according to Mr., Currell. en-
tered the office and after shooting
indiscriminately, pointed a pistol at
his tCurrell'sl head and said: you
are responsible for this" Before the
shooting began. President Currell
said. Halle told young woman book
kseper TO leave the office.
Several shots were fred, President
Currell said.
student Hears Firing.
The double tragedy became known
when w. T. Holland. a student, heard
shots while passing the university Of
fees soon after 10 o'clock this morn
ing. He entered the building, jump
ing over an iron railing. and found
the bodies OF Halle and Professor
Homes on the floor. A pistol was Iy-
Ing near Halle. Eaile's chest had
been pierced by a bullet. Holland
hurriedly notified the police, and 1t
was stated at that time there were
no eyewitnesses.
Professor Homes was widely known
as an engineering authority.
Halle. before killing himself, is said
to have been heard to say that he
would kill others connected with the
university. 1t is Understood the
matter regarding the construction
work, over which tho two dead men
had disagreed. had been before a
faculty meeting lately. 1t had been
under discussion for a long time. Its
nature is not disclosed.
Univcrsity OF Virginia Graduate.
Professor Homes was born in
Boydton. Va. and was graduate OF
the University OF Virginia. He was
assistant to the engineer for the In
crease OF water supply at West Point
and during the Spanish American
War was assistant engineer for the
republic of Cuba. He was special
agent for the United States ofices of
public roads from 1911 to 1913, and
during the recent war was with the
Big Bend district of the engineering
corps In Texts
complete statement issued by
President currell. outlining the facts
preceding the tragedy and subse-
quent events. is as follows:
tragedy occurred at the Uni
Versity OF South Carolina about 1910
o'clock this morning in the treas
urer's office and the adjoining room
attached to the treasurer's Office. Tho
president was sitting in his Office
doing the routine business for the
day when he heard several sharp re-
ports which he thought at first was
hammerins as some repair work was
being done in the room adjoining
the treasurer's office. He soon dis
covered that there was something
more unusual going on and went out
OF his Office to investigate. AS he
went out of his door the dean,
who was near the rear door of the
rassageway. said: Don't go in
there to the treasurer's office. some
one else said that MIR. Halle was
shooting.
Police Called 10 scene.
There were about ter persons in and
around the passageway and Offices at
the time OF the shooting. When 1t
discovered that Mr.. Halle was Shoot
Ing apparently Unfortunately, tho
police were promptly 'phoned for and
arrived on the scene OF action in less
than ffteen minutes
AZ the president. who was about
Ia SO into the treasurer's office to
investigate; passed by the door. Mr..
Halle, who was behind the grill work
In the treasurer's office. pointed a
pistol directly I the presidents head
and said: You are responsible for
this. naturally moved out Of the
way very promptly Shortly after
the police and coroner arrived. The
officers OF the law Immediately took
charge OF the AFFAIR and when they
allowed me to enter the treasurer's
office discovered the dead body OF
MIR. Halle lying between the treasur-
er's desk and the safe and Mr.. Homes
body lying in the adjoining ONCE.
About five or six shots were fred.
the first ones in rapid succession.
Then there was cessation before
the others We're hred
Professor Creep phoned for tho
police and l phoned shortly after,
Continued on Page Is. Col. ID
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