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.