Obit of William Lee Booth printed in the Daily Herald on Feb. 17, 1908:
"SHOOTING OF W. L. BOOTH"
"Facts About the Killing Recited in Dispatch From Epps, Miss., Where Tragedy Occured"
"J. F. Wilder, one of the best and most substantial citizens of this section, shot and killed W. L. Booth of Dallas, Tex., this morning immediately upon the arrival of the G. & S. I. passenger train. The facts of the killing as gathered from the scene of the shooting are as follows: As the train pulled into Epps, Mr. Wilder was on the steps of his office, which is only a few yards from the railroad. Looking up he saw Booth alight from the train before it had come to a full stop. Wilder immediately turned and went into his general office in connection. Booth followed him into the office and closed the door behind him, leaving only the two to end the matter. The dead man stood beside the office stove and a few minutes and finally addressed Wilder, "I have come after that $2,500!" Wilder quickly responded that he could not get it. At this juncture Booth started to unbutton his vest and finally getting to his pistol, which was a 38 Colts , when Wilder rushed to his private office where a handy shot gun was ready. Seizing the gun he hastened to the door that led into the office where Booth was and there with a pistol leveled he met the man approaching to meet him in death. Wilder fired before getting any closer, the shots taking effect in Booth's heart - five large shot going entirely through his body. The first load turning the body almost around and facing the door into which the dead man came. A second shot was fired, making one big wound. Booth's body fell face forward in the direction from which he came in and away from the side door of Wilder's private office. In this way nothing could be seen of the lifeless form from the private office except its feet and Wilder not knowing that the trouble was over placed one more shell in the gun and went through the door into the room where the body lay. No sooner had he entered, when the front door leading in on the opposite side opened. Wilder thinking that perhaps some of Booth's friends had accompanied him and intended to help his out, placed the gun to his shoulder and ordered it shut, which was immediately done. By this time several friends had heard the shots and came in to find the trouble. The justice of the peace was notified and came to investigate. He took charge of the body which was laying face down and pistol underneath, loaded to every chamber. Late this afternoon a special train from Hattiesburg arrived with a party of citizens to take charge of the matter from a legal and friendship point. In the party were Judge N. C. Hill, J. R. Tally, J. C. MaGruder, Sheriff; Dr. T. E. Ross, T. O Watkins, B. McClanahan and R. L. Dent, attorney for the G & S. I. railroad. This special train left for Hattiesburg at 4 o'clock having on board the body of Booth. Sheriff MaGruder took charge of Wilder and Wilder will remain with him until the preliminary hearing. The preliminary hearing will take place in the justice court at Epps, Wednesday morning, Judge N. C. Hil and Hon. J. R. Tally have been retained to look after the defense".
Bradford O'Keefe, Book 2, page 15 gives the following info on Mr. Booth: He was 34 years old and a native of Memphis. He was a resident of Texas when he died from gun shot wounds to the chest and face by the hand of J. F. Wilder determined to be in self-defense. Mr. Booth's occupation is listed as Real Estate Agent.
Obituary added by Carmella Seymour.
"SHOOTING OF W. L. BOOTH"
"Facts About the Killing Recited in Dispatch From Epps, Miss., Where Tragedy Occured"
"J. F. Wilder, one of the best and most substantial citizens of this section, shot and killed W. L. Booth of Dallas, Tex., this morning immediately upon the arrival of the G. & S. I. passenger train. The facts of the killing as gathered from the scene of the shooting are as follows: As the train pulled into Epps, Mr. Wilder was on the steps of his office, which is only a few yards from the railroad. Looking up he saw Booth alight from the train before it had come to a full stop. Wilder immediately turned and went into his general office in connection. Booth followed him into the office and closed the door behind him, leaving only the two to end the matter. The dead man stood beside the office stove and a few minutes and finally addressed Wilder, "I have come after that $2,500!" Wilder quickly responded that he could not get it. At this juncture Booth started to unbutton his vest and finally getting to his pistol, which was a 38 Colts , when Wilder rushed to his private office where a handy shot gun was ready. Seizing the gun he hastened to the door that led into the office where Booth was and there with a pistol leveled he met the man approaching to meet him in death. Wilder fired before getting any closer, the shots taking effect in Booth's heart - five large shot going entirely through his body. The first load turning the body almost around and facing the door into which the dead man came. A second shot was fired, making one big wound. Booth's body fell face forward in the direction from which he came in and away from the side door of Wilder's private office. In this way nothing could be seen of the lifeless form from the private office except its feet and Wilder not knowing that the trouble was over placed one more shell in the gun and went through the door into the room where the body lay. No sooner had he entered, when the front door leading in on the opposite side opened. Wilder thinking that perhaps some of Booth's friends had accompanied him and intended to help his out, placed the gun to his shoulder and ordered it shut, which was immediately done. By this time several friends had heard the shots and came in to find the trouble. The justice of the peace was notified and came to investigate. He took charge of the body which was laying face down and pistol underneath, loaded to every chamber. Late this afternoon a special train from Hattiesburg arrived with a party of citizens to take charge of the matter from a legal and friendship point. In the party were Judge N. C. Hill, J. R. Tally, J. C. MaGruder, Sheriff; Dr. T. E. Ross, T. O Watkins, B. McClanahan and R. L. Dent, attorney for the G & S. I. railroad. This special train left for Hattiesburg at 4 o'clock having on board the body of Booth. Sheriff MaGruder took charge of Wilder and Wilder will remain with him until the preliminary hearing. The preliminary hearing will take place in the justice court at Epps, Wednesday morning, Judge N. C. Hil and Hon. J. R. Tally have been retained to look after the defense".
Bradford O'Keefe, Book 2, page 15 gives the following info on Mr. Booth: He was 34 years old and a native of Memphis. He was a resident of Texas when he died from gun shot wounds to the chest and face by the hand of J. F. Wilder determined to be in self-defense. Mr. Booth's occupation is listed as Real Estate Agent.
Obituary added by Carmella Seymour.
Obit of William Lee Booth printed in the Daily Herald on Feb. 17, 1908:
"SHOOTING OF W. L. BOOTH"
"Facts About the Killing Recited in Dispatch From Epps, Miss., Where Tragedy Occured"
"J. F. Wilder, one of the best and most substantial citizens of this section, shot and killed W. L. Booth of Dallas, Tex., this morning immediately upon the arrival of the G. & S. I. passenger train. The facts of the killing as gathered from the scene of the shooting are as follows: As the train pulled into Epps, Mr. Wilder was on the steps of his office, which is only a few yards from the railroad. Looking up he saw Booth alight from the train before it had come to a full stop. Wilder immediately turned and went into his general office in connection. Booth followed him into the office and closed the door behind him, leaving only the two to end the matter. The dead man stood beside the office stove and a few minutes and finally addressed Wilder, "I have come after that $2,500!" Wilder quickly responded that he could not get it. At this juncture Booth started to unbutton his vest and finally getting to his pistol, which was a 38 Colts , when Wilder rushed to his private office where a handy shot gun was ready. Seizing the gun he hastened to the door that led into the office where Booth was and there with a pistol leveled he met the man approaching to meet him in death. Wilder fired before getting any closer, the shots taking effect in Booth's heart - five large shot going entirely through his body. The first load turning the body almost around and facing the door into which the dead man came. A second shot was fired, making one big wound. Booth's body fell face forward in the direction from which he came in and away from the side door of Wilder's private office. In this way nothing could be seen of the lifeless form from the private office except its feet and Wilder not knowing that the trouble was over placed one more shell in the gun and went through the door into the room where the body lay. No sooner had he entered, when the front door leading in on the opposite side opened. Wilder thinking that perhaps some of Booth's friends had accompanied him and intended to help his out, placed the gun to his shoulder and ordered it shut, which was immediately done. By this time several friends had heard the shots and came in to find the trouble. The justice of the peace was notified and came to investigate. He took charge of the body which was laying face down and pistol underneath, loaded to every chamber. Late this afternoon a special train from Hattiesburg arrived with a party of citizens to take charge of the matter from a legal and friendship point. In the party were Judge N. C. Hill, J. R. Tally, J. C. MaGruder, Sheriff; Dr. T. E. Ross, T. O Watkins, B. McClanahan and R. L. Dent, attorney for the G & S. I. railroad. This special train left for Hattiesburg at 4 o'clock having on board the body of Booth. Sheriff MaGruder took charge of Wilder and Wilder will remain with him until the preliminary hearing. The preliminary hearing will take place in the justice court at Epps, Wednesday morning, Judge N. C. Hil and Hon. J. R. Tally have been retained to look after the defense".
Bradford O'Keefe, Book 2, page 15 gives the following info on Mr. Booth: He was 34 years old and a native of Memphis. He was a resident of Texas when he died from gun shot wounds to the chest and face by the hand of J. F. Wilder determined to be in self-defense. Mr. Booth's occupation is listed as Real Estate Agent.
Obituary added by Carmella Seymour.
"SHOOTING OF W. L. BOOTH"
"Facts About the Killing Recited in Dispatch From Epps, Miss., Where Tragedy Occured"
"J. F. Wilder, one of the best and most substantial citizens of this section, shot and killed W. L. Booth of Dallas, Tex., this morning immediately upon the arrival of the G. & S. I. passenger train. The facts of the killing as gathered from the scene of the shooting are as follows: As the train pulled into Epps, Mr. Wilder was on the steps of his office, which is only a few yards from the railroad. Looking up he saw Booth alight from the train before it had come to a full stop. Wilder immediately turned and went into his general office in connection. Booth followed him into the office and closed the door behind him, leaving only the two to end the matter. The dead man stood beside the office stove and a few minutes and finally addressed Wilder, "I have come after that $2,500!" Wilder quickly responded that he could not get it. At this juncture Booth started to unbutton his vest and finally getting to his pistol, which was a 38 Colts , when Wilder rushed to his private office where a handy shot gun was ready. Seizing the gun he hastened to the door that led into the office where Booth was and there with a pistol leveled he met the man approaching to meet him in death. Wilder fired before getting any closer, the shots taking effect in Booth's heart - five large shot going entirely through his body. The first load turning the body almost around and facing the door into which the dead man came. A second shot was fired, making one big wound. Booth's body fell face forward in the direction from which he came in and away from the side door of Wilder's private office. In this way nothing could be seen of the lifeless form from the private office except its feet and Wilder not knowing that the trouble was over placed one more shell in the gun and went through the door into the room where the body lay. No sooner had he entered, when the front door leading in on the opposite side opened. Wilder thinking that perhaps some of Booth's friends had accompanied him and intended to help his out, placed the gun to his shoulder and ordered it shut, which was immediately done. By this time several friends had heard the shots and came in to find the trouble. The justice of the peace was notified and came to investigate. He took charge of the body which was laying face down and pistol underneath, loaded to every chamber. Late this afternoon a special train from Hattiesburg arrived with a party of citizens to take charge of the matter from a legal and friendship point. In the party were Judge N. C. Hill, J. R. Tally, J. C. MaGruder, Sheriff; Dr. T. E. Ross, T. O Watkins, B. McClanahan and R. L. Dent, attorney for the G & S. I. railroad. This special train left for Hattiesburg at 4 o'clock having on board the body of Booth. Sheriff MaGruder took charge of Wilder and Wilder will remain with him until the preliminary hearing. The preliminary hearing will take place in the justice court at Epps, Wednesday morning, Judge N. C. Hil and Hon. J. R. Tally have been retained to look after the defense".
Bradford O'Keefe, Book 2, page 15 gives the following info on Mr. Booth: He was 34 years old and a native of Memphis. He was a resident of Texas when he died from gun shot wounds to the chest and face by the hand of J. F. Wilder determined to be in self-defense. Mr. Booth's occupation is listed as Real Estate Agent.
Obituary added by Carmella Seymour.
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