WILSON, George - 1885 - Putnam

Tuesday night about 8 o’clock Sheriff Lewis received a telegram from Melvin McGaughey, living in Russell township, stating that George Wilson had been killed by Thomas Wilson, and requesting his presence. The officer left for the scene of the affray, but on arriving at Fincastle met Thomas on his way here, accompanied by a brother, to give himself up. He arrived here, and was lodged in jail shortly after 1 o’clock the next morning. His statement is that he met George, who is his second cousin, in the road not far from Hebron Church, in the neighborhood of which they both live, Tuesday afternoon, about 6 o'clock. They were on horseback. George began abusing him, and used very obscene language to him, and also in reference to his wife. He says that he expostulated and attempted to pass on. At this George turned his horse quartering toward him, at a distance of ten or fifteen feet. Observing this he said, “Go away; Don’t you follow me.” George responded, “I have threatened to kill you and now is a good time to do it,” at the same time making a motion as if to draw a weapon from the inside of his vest. He then drew his own revolver and began firing. How many shots were discharged he does not know, owing to his excitement at the time, hut as all the chambers of the revolver were afterward found empty he presumes there were five. George at first fell on the neck of the horse, catching to the mane, and then to the ground, where he lay prostrate. He said, “Tom, I’ll never bother you any more. Tell my folks what has happened.” Thomas rode to the residence of an uncle of George, to whom he related what said happened, and then went home and told his wife. This is his side of the affair.

It was found that the wounded man had been struck twice, once above each hip, in the small of the back, and ranging upward. Yesterday morning there were conflicting opinions as to his recovery, but the probability is that the wounds are fatal. The meu are 38 or 40 years old, and each has a family. They have been quiet farmers, members of the church, law-abiding, and that either should have carried a revolver, or that there should have been shooting between them, is a surprise to every one. The Wilson family is a numerous and highly respectable one.

The Wilson family is a numerous and highly respectable one. They settled in that township about 60 years ago and have ever been among its most responsible and reliable citizens. Any difficulties between the older members were always settled by arbitration and this makes the resort of Thomas to the revolver contrary to family precident. His father is known as “Blind Billy” Wilson. George is the son of Squire James Wilson. The shooting, Tuesday is the result of a feud of long standing. Some 12 or more years ago, George’s wife accused Thomas, who was then unmarried of having made improper proposals to her while she was passing through a pasture. Both being members of Hebron Christian Church, a church trial followed and Thomas was expelled. About six years subsequent to this transaction Thomas’ sister brought suit in the Putnam Circuit Court against George and wife for defamation of character based on words alleged to have been spoken by the latter. This was compromised but the consequent ill-feeling remained and led to a still further estrangement of the two families. Hebron is about two miles southeast of Russellville. – kbz

George Wilson, who was shot at Russellville last Tuesday by his cousin, Thomas Wilson died last Friday morning after suffering great pain. The prisoner is still in jail here awaiting his examination.

Source: Greencastle Banner 10 Dec 1885 p 1

The trial of the case of the State vs. Thomas Wilson for the killing of Geo. W. Wilson, in Russell township. September 20th, began Monday. A special venire of thirty men. selected from different portions of the county, excluding Russell, Clinton and Franklin townships, had been ordered by Judge Coffey. and a satisfactory jury was formed by noon. The following is the jury— David B. Priest and William H. Allen, of Monroe township; Samuel Webb, Clinton; John Vermillion, Samuel Farmer, Benjamin Harris and J. M. Burton, Jefferson; James McVay, Floyd; William R. Grogan and Isaiah Conover, Greencastle; E. Cline, Cloverdale and Jerry Nichols of Marion. The State is represented by Prosecutor McGregor, Deputy Prosecutor Colliver and Williamson and Daggy, while Smiley, Neff and Myers appear for the defendant. There are over 20 witnesses for the prosecution and the examination of these was concluded yesterday morning when the defense began and is expected to conclude today.  James Matthews and Nelson Buis, colored who were near by and saw the killing, the widow and mother of the deceased and Charles A. Howell and John Burnside are the most direct and important witnesses for the State. The prosecution endeavored to prove that it was a case of premeditated murder and that George Wilson was riding away at the time he was shot, and that Thomas Wilson was in no danger and had no reason to fear or anticipate an attack or to act on the defensive.  The defendant has an array of 42 witnesses of which number John H. Wilson, Jasper Wilson and John Carrington are the most important and by these it will be attempted to be shown that Thomas Wilson, because of frequent threats made by George thought that his life was in danger and acted in self defense.  The defendant’s wife with her two small children, one an infant are present at the trial and sit with him.  

JC Wilson, who was in a buggy on the road in front of the parties when the shooting occurred said he had been with George a few minutes previous and heard the shots. Three colored men – Nelson Buis, Jackson Buis and Jesse Matthews saw the two men racing on the road, horseback with Thomas behind.  Drs. HC Rogers, Straughn and Tinsley described the two pistol wounds stating that both entered the back from the rear, one being evidently received while the deceased was leaning forward. The wife of George testified that her husband never carried a revolver and did not own one that could be used.  Justice Burnside said that he took the deposition of the dying man which was read in evident and with which the public is already familiar.  For the defense, JH Carrington testified that George had said, some two years ago that “he would make Thomas die with his boots on yet,” and that he would shoot him.  

James H. Wilson, brother of Thomas, said that he had hear George threaten to kill Tom to his face, as long as 1876.  Thomas Wilson, the defendant was on the witness stand about two hours yesterday afternoon.  He corroborated his brother John’s statement regarding the threats of George in 1876.  In addition to his threats, George seized him by the collar and shoved him backward. At that time, after some remonstrance, he accompanied George to his house to talk their troubles over with his wife.  The note which he had been charged with having sent to George’s wife was found and produced but he denied having written it.  She said, “Didn’t you give it to me in the window and then offer me $2 to give it back to you?  He answered her, no. George said – “Will you give me a thousand dollars for it.”  He and John left the house together.  He and George met the same Fall in Crawfordsville.  He passed him without speaking but George struck him with some irons he had in his hand as he did so but the defendant made no effort to retaliate. The next meeting was on the road to Crawfordsville, he being in a buggy with his sister. They overtook George who was in a wagon and tried to pass him but George whipped up so he could not. The four meeting was on the road between their homes and Russellville. George tried to crowd him out of the road as he always did against the fence at the same time using insulting language.  Last winter they again met in the road, he afoot going home and George going to town with a load of stove wood.  He He stepped to one side, allowing the sleigh to pass and when George saw who it was he made an offensive remark at the same time picking up a stick of wood as if to strik him. As the sleigh passed on George said, “Damn you, I intend to kill you and will kill you yet.” Their next meeting was when the shooting occurred. Had been to Russellville and was going home. Saw George sitting on his horse talking to JC Wilson and Morton Donohue who were in a buggy. On seeing him he started up quickly so as to pass him without being noticed; but as soon as George saw him he rode forward and the buggy passed on. As they met, George crowded him out of the road as had been his custom, at the same time using most offensive and vulgar language to him regarding his wife. His answer to all was – You had better go home and attend to your own business.  He then rode on, think George who had been driving his cows was doing the same thing. But almost immediately George turned and rode alongside of him and repeated his offense language. The defendant’s answer was “Ain’t you satisfied to go on home and attend to your own business?” George responded. No I have intended to kill you and am going to kill you yet at the same time reaching into the left breast of his coat as if to get a revolver. He became alarmed at this, and thought he would be killed. He then reached into his pants pocket as quickly as he could and drew his own revolver and began shooting in the hope of saving his own life. At the first shot the horses began to run, keeping close together. His only aim was to cripple George and he didn’t know he was hitting him until the last shot when he fell off his horse. In attempting to stop his own horse, as he passed on, his revolver dropped out of his hand. Dismounting, he got his weapon and put it in his pocket. As he mounted the horse again, he heard George saying something and rode back to see what it was. George requested him to come and help him up but he refused for he knew that George was a strong man and that if he got him in his grasp he would kill him in that way. George then asked him to tell his family which he promised to do. He rode to the house of AC Howell, George’s brother-in-law to whom he said, “I have shot George down here and he wants  you to come down and take care of him,” Continuing to ride on he met the mother, wife and daughter of George in in the road near their gate, hastening to him they having heard that he had been shot.  He said to the mother that they need not cry as he had only crippled him. He then went to his own father’s and gave them their mail; then home where he informed his wife of what had occurred, and as soon as possible started with his brother to Greencastle to surrender to the authorities. Meeting Sheriff Louis at Fincastle, he gave himself up there and came on to jail. He carried the revolve because his life had been threatened for nine years, and bought it last winter, an uncle having advised him to prepare to defend himself.  In answer to the question by the prosection – Couldn’t you have stopped your hose when George rode on while you were shotting?  “I reckon I could if I had thought of it.”  

Jasper Wilson, a brother of the defendant, testified. In 1876 George Showed him the note which he said his wife had received from Thomas and asked if it was his handwriting.  He said it was not.  George said that it was and that it would yet cost their father his farm.  He gripped it in his hand and said he would not take a thousand dollars for it.  He continued, “I started to kill Tommy and didn’t but I am going to yet or he will kill me.”  Some time in the fall of 1883 he met George and tried to pass him without recognition as he always made a fuss but he called to him and said, “I hear that Tom is coming back to live in this neighborhood.  He must not for both of us can not live in this neighborhood. I will kill him or he me!” - kbz