Alachua County FlArchives Obituaries.....WADDELL, DR, R. B.  May 13, 1901
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Clyde Watson clyde.nell@gmail.com November 21, 2008, 8:47 pm

Savannah Morning  News
                           DR. R. B. WADDELL KILLED
                                 13 MAY 1901
     Dr. R. B. Waddell, an aged and respected citizen of Alachua county, was
shot and killed in his own home one mile south of Hawthorn early Friday morning
by Tom Donalson, a disreputable white man, whom he had taken in and given
shelter only two days before. Dr. Waddell was lying in the bed asleep when the
killing occurred. Mrs. Waddell was aroused by reports of two pistol shots in
rapid succession. She was horrified to find the brute standing over the bed,
with a smoking pistol in his right hand and a piece of 2 inch scantling in the
other, with which he immediately proceeded to strike her husband over the head,
horribly crushing his skull and beating out his brains. It was when the lady
attempted to rise that the villain directed his hellish violence upon her. He
deliberately fired , but the aim was to high and the ball entered the wall
beyond, It was then that she pleaded with him for life, when he turned and left
the house. In the meantime Miss Waddell, who had been aroused to the terrible
tragedy, had gone for assistance. Before her return however, Donalson had made
his departure,coming direct to Hawthorn. Donaldson was arrested by Deputy
Sheriff Hinson and it was with utmost difficulty that a lynching was avoided. He
was taken to Gainesville and place in jail. Donalson is said to have been a
tramp. He has been in the employ of W. . Moore at Hawthorn for the last several
months. He left Mr. Moore's employ a few days ago without giving explanation and
webt to Dr, Waddell's home, where he was given shelter by the kindly old couple.
The motive of the crime is supposed to have been robbery.

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