The Marlin Democrat
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, March 3, 1904
NEGRO GETS SHOT IN THROAT
~~~~~
Trouble Occured Over A Debt
Of $1.20
~~~~~
Will Kelly, a negro, was shot and dangerously wounded in the throat Tuesday
night by Will White, another negro.
The trouble occurred about half a mile south of R. C.
Peacock's store in the bottom. The cause of the quarrel between the t two
negroes is said to have been a debt of $1.20 which White claimed that Kelly owed
his (White's) mother.
One hot word was allowed by another and White drew his
pistol and fired twice and attempted to fire a third time but his pistol
snapped. When the smoke cleared away Kelly was found to have a dangerous,
possibly fatal wound in the throat, the ball entering from the front.
It so happened that Constable Peebles was at Peacock's
store at the time but it was some time after the shooting before it was reported
at the store. Kelly works for Mr. Peacock and had left the house but a short
time before the trouble came up.
Constable Peebles was told that the negro, White, had
left the scene of the difficulty and was coming toward Marlin. The constable
followed on and about eleven o'clock, found a negro walking along the 1& G N
railway on the public square. He recognized the negro, in the moonlight, from
the description furnished, and commanded him to surrender which was done without
resistance. A search revealed a pistol in the coat pocket and the negro admitted
he was the one who did the shooting.
After arriving at the jail a further search was made
and a "razoo" discovered in the watch pocket of the negro's trousers.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for
printing by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas.