Negro Killed

Title

Negro Killed

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

Birmingham News

Publication Place

Birmingham AL

Publication Date

09/22/1898

Transcript

NEGRO KILLED. Robert Harris Went Out to Murder and Bagged His Gruesome Game. John Davis, alias "Kid," a well known negro, who was in the employ of the Wheelock Roofing Company. was shot and fatally wounded last night about 11 o'clock in Adam Howard's saloon, on Third avenue between Nineteenth and Twentieth streets. Robert Harris, a tough negro, and said to be an ex-convict, did the shooting. Davis died this morning at his home in Fifth alley between Eighteenth and Nineteenth streets. Harris is at large. The shooting is said to have been the result of an old grudge, and a woman was at the bottom of it. Davis played dominoes a good deal in the various saloons, according to the statement of officers, and was at Howard's saloon when Harris entered. The latter stated before going there that he intended killing "Kid," and when he came into the place he asked Davis to "set 'em up" to beer. Davis replied that he had no beer for him. whereupon Harris pulled a pistol and fired one shot on Davis. The bullet struck Davis in the right breast in the near vicinity of the nipple and ranged through the body. It was evident at a glance that the wound was a fatal one. The man was carried to his home and death relieved him of pain this morning. Harris ran out of the saloon to Third avenue. He went westward and rentered the Kansas City saloon. He then ran eastward through the alley, leaving it at Twentieth street. Near the county jail he was met by a negro with whom he had swapped hats during the day. The negro asked why he was so excited and Harris replied that he had just shot "Kid." Harris then continued in his flight telling the negro to "tell them that you saw me." His whereabouts are unknown, but it is not believed he is yet out of the city. The shooting created considerable excitement. Officers were on the scene a few minutes after the shot was fired but could not find Harris.

Sources for

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