Laurens County GaArchives News.....S. D. Butler Jailed for Killing Williams January 6, 1914
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Elaine Wiles http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00014.html#0003315 February 16, 2006, 8:43 pm

Hawkinsville Dispatch And News January 6, 1914
S. D. Butler Jailed for Killing Williams
	
Claims he had to shoot Rockledge Postmaster in Self-Defense.

Dublin, Ga., January 4.- S. D. Butler is in jail in this city awaiting the 
action of the grand jury, charged with killing J. M. Williams, postmaster at 
Rockledge last night.  He pleads self defense.

Butler gave himself up to Marshall Devereaux last night after the shooting and 
was brought to Dublin this morning by Sheriff Flanders.  Coroner Donaldson 
held an inquest over Williams and the jury ordered Butler held.

There were no eyewitnesses to the killing, and little evidence so far except 
Butler’s statement.  According to him, the trouble began about two weeks ago 
when he assisted Marshall Devereaux in arresting Williams, who was drunk.  
Williams, claiming that Butler drew his pistol on him unnecessarily.  Butler 
was prosecuted for this by Williams, but the case was compromised and the two 
became friendly.

Last night Butler was helping the marshall again and on his rounds, stopped by 
the post office for his mail, and Williams, it is said, invited him to have a 
drink.  The two went behind the counter, Butler claims, sat down, took a 
drink, talked a few minutes, and the old trouble was referred to.  It is said 
by Butler that Williams became more angry the longer he talked and finally 
reached for his pistol.  Butler says he reached for his the same time and the 
two men clinched, each holding the other’s pistol  to prevent shooting, and 
tussled for several minutes.  Both pistols were fired during the tussle and 
both men fell upon the floor.

Butler, noticing that Williams, suddenly weakened, jerked loose, taking both 
pistols, ran out of the store, met the marshall, told him what had happened, 
and surrendered.  He has several powder burns on his hand receiving during the 
fight.  He is well known in the county and was formerly one of the guards at 
the Laurens county convict camp.


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