The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-05-07
PROFESSOR HOMES
Is SHOT DOWN BY
BENJAMIN HALE
Murderer Then Turned Pistol to
His Head and Blows
Out His Brains.
BITTER FEELING BETWEEN
THE MEN FOR SOMETIME
Said to Have Been Caused by a
Conflict of Duties at the
University.
az 10 Asseelated Preaal

COLUMBIA. S. c., May 6-Prof NJ.
Goode Homes head Of the department
~ engineering Of the University OF South
Carolina. was shot and killed by Benja-
min Halle, superintendent Of grounds Of
The university. who few minutes later
killed himself by firing a shot into his
brain. The double tragedy occurred in
the treasurer Office OF the university
shortly after ten O'Clock this morning.
There were no eye witnesses but DIT.
William S. Currell, president. and Or.
Leonard II. Baker, dean, saw the super
intendent brandlshing revolver and
both were ordered from the office by
Halle. n shot being fired over the head
Of Dean Baker and the weapon being
pointed at President Currell although he
was not fred upon.
The action against the two officers Of
the university was taken after Prof.
Homes had been slain and II is believed,
Halle killed himself a few minutes after
warning President Curreu out OF the
room.
Prof Homes was In the treasurer's Of
nee when Marshal Halle entered the
room to get a pay RON check lie sent
the young woman bookkeeper. the only
occupant OF the room with Prof. Homes,
70 the presidents office tell her that DR.
Cairrer wished TO see her
Dean Baker, who was in a class room
shots and started TO the treasurer's office
10 investigates. He was warned by Halle
10 keen out The dean did not see Pro-
lessor Homes, believed now to have all
ready been slain in an adjoining room 70
the main office of the treasurer. Dean
Baker withdraw and as he did so Presi-
dent Currell came from his office to in
veatigate Dean Baker warned the presi-
dent not to enter the room, telling him
that Halle was In there in a crazed condi-
ton and firing a pistol. DR. Currol
however, entered the room to be met
with q warning from Halle to keep out
the superintendent pointing his revolver
az the president with the statement;
You are responsible for this me
president left the room.
In the meantime police had been sum-
inoned and investigation revealed the
body OF Homes in one room and that OF
Halle in the other.
Homes was shot five times, one bullet
penetrating the heart while Halle was
shot only once. the bullet entering the
brain and causing instant death.
An official statement issued by Prssi-
dent Curren says that there had been
bitter feeling between the two men for
some time. growing out OF conflict of
duties al the university. This feeling
has practically existed for year.
Prof Homes was born in 1886 in Boyd
i ton, Va and was educated AT the Ath-
versity OF Virginia and the United States
Military Academy at West Point He
has held many important engineering as
Arguments and stood high in his pro-
feRsion. He IS survived by a wife and
four small children. Prof. Homes has
heen A member OF the University Of South
Carolina faculty since 1909
supt. Halle came to the University Of
south Carolina in 1912 from Camden
where ne was chief OF police. He was
first marshal and then superintendent Of
grounds He WAS about A years OF age
and Is survived by his wife, son and
daughter.
a. inouest over the two bodies Is be-
inw held by the coroner Of Rchland
county tonight.