The Shooting Saturday Night

Title

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

The "Tuskaloosa" Gazette

Publication Place

Tuscaloosa, AL

Publication Date

12/06/1894

Transcript

A pistol shot rang out clear and sharp on the still cool air about ten o'clock Saturday night and startled for the moment all those who heard it. Though it was on Main street, in central position the thoroughfare was almost deserted, all the people who usually throng the sidewalk about this time being at the political demonstrations or the opera home, The sound of running feet were heard and those few who noticed the occurrence saw two forms move rapidly up the street and disappear. But not until some minutes later when a gentleman crossed the street towards H P Walker's from Maxwell Bros', and saw a form outstretched upon the ground, did anyone know there had been a tragedy. Mr. Delano, who saw the body lying almost in front of Mr. Walker's store, gave the alarm and soon & crowd had gathered round. The form on the ground proved to be that of Charlie Brown, a colored miner. employed in the hospital mines, A pipe lay on the ground, and a stick was beside him. In his breast just above the right nipple was a bullet hole, showing what caused his death. Who killed him and for what cause was the mystery. There were many conjectures but at the time no clue was developed. The man was carried to his home and on Sunday morning the coroner empanelling a jury and held an inquest. The morning brought also a solution of the mystery. Mr. Oliver Quinn, boss in the mines at the hospital, came in before day and gave, himself up stating that he had killed the negro and that it was done in self defense. Quinn's story substantially is that he had advanced morey to the darkey, who gave him some tools to keep. The tools were not redeemed and he sold them. This incensed Brown who, it is said, made threats that he would get even with Mr Quinn, or "do him," or something to that effect, They meet on the street Saturday night and the negro who is said to haye been drinking, began a fuss. This was in front of Sam Strickland's store. Quinn left him but Brown followed abusing him. When they had gotten near Captain Walker's store, the darkey struck at him with his stick. Quinn started to run and Brown started after him, when the former turning, fired, the shot taking effect in the negro's breast. Several witness give substantially the same statement of facts, Quinn gave himself up to she city authorities and was by them turned over to the county. His bond was fixed at $2500.00. He had not given bail at last accounts.

Sources for

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