Henry County GaArchives Obituaries.....Westbrook, Charlie  January 1894
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Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 August 25, 2006, 7:40 am

The Henry County Weekly, February 2, 1894
DEPLORABLE KILLING
Charlie Westbrook Shot by Walker Carmichael In An Altercation
     McDonough has been startled the past week by one of the most unfortunate 
affairs that could befall a community, and one that could scarcely be more 
generally deplored.
     By the sad occurrence, his body pierced by two bullets, one young man is 
consigned to an untimely grave, while another, friends from boyhood is burdened 
with the killing. Charlie Westbrook dead, Walker Carmichael his slayer. 
     It is difficult to realized, yet an awful fact.
     Just before night on Thursday evening of last week, these two young men 
were about their usual places of business over at the warehouse, Mr. Carmichael 
being engaged at the cotton seed house, Mr. Westbrook at the warehouse. Not the 
remotest thought of trouble between them had been suspected.  From some unknown 
cause, however, they suddenly came together in an encounter.
     A short scuffle ensued, when they fell to the floor, Charlie on top, with 
his hand at Walker’s throat. A gentleman near by attempted to separate them, 
but before he could do so two pistol shots rang out. The weapon was in the hand 
of Walker, Charlie receiving the contents in his body.
     It was at once seen that the wounds were serious, and a physician 
hurriedly sent for. Dr. Scott responded, when the wounded man was taken home, 
where he lingered until Sunday morning, and at 6 o’clock breathed his last.
     Soon after the shooting Carmichael surrendered himself to Sheriff Glass, 
and Tuesday the case was called for preliminary trial, Justice Bunn of 
McDonough, Sullivan of Locust Grove, and Stewart of Sandy Ridge presiding.
     After a thorough examination of the witnesses to the homicide, no cause of 
trouble was brought out in the evidence, which was substantially in accordance 
with the facts related above, and after a short consultation of the presiding 
officers the case was dismissed upon the grounds of self defense.
     As stated above, the occurrence is deeply deplored by our entire 
community, and further comment is unnecessary.
     It is a source of comfort to the friends of Mr. Westbrook, that before his 
death he left assurance of his entire readiness to pass the great and 
mysterious ordeal. In fact, those who were present at the death-bed scene 
pronounce it one of the most remarkable ever witnessed, the patient calling the 
family to his side one at a time and calmly bidding them adieu in the most 
touching language, with assurance of perfect peace with the Master and love for 
all mankind.
     Funeral services were conducted at the Baptist Church at half past three 
o’clock, Sunday afternoon, by Rev. T. J. Bledsoe, and the remains laid to rest 
in the McDonough Cemetery.


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