Pistol Practice.

The Bang-bang from the Hip Pocket

Mingles with Holiday Jollity.

Reluctantly we commence the record of the year’s events with a killing.

It was near dark on Saturday evening last in front of the residence of Mr. J. O. Ligon, six miles from Euharlee, that Mr. Andrew J. Thomas shot and killed Mr. John Alford. The circumstances, as near as we can gather them, are these.

The two men had been participating in a village election at Euharlee and had intensified the enjoyments of the occasion by Frequent libations at the village grocery. Dark coming on the crowd that had gathered at the election began to disperse. Accompanied by a small party, Mr. Thomas had proceeded home as far as the residence of Mr. Ligon. He haled at the gate and called Mr. Ligon out and while seated upon his horse and engaged in conversation with that gentleman, he was beset by blows discovered to come from the clenched hand of Mr. Alford, who it seems had slipped upon him. By his blows, Alford had nearly unseated Thomas from his horse. When the latter recovered equilibrium he drew a pistol and fired two shots at Alford—one ball entering at the right nipple and the other taking him center between the eyes. Thomas immediately gave himself up and was brought to Cartersville and lodged in jail by Constable Cunyus, where he now is. He was raised in this county and was the son of Judge Thomas, once Judge of the Superior Court. He is a disabled and crippled man and claims to have resorted to his pistol in self defense.

Mr. Alford was also raised in this county and at the time of his death was about thirty years of age. He leaves a wife and five children.

The Other Side.

As in all similar occurrences there is the other side to the story. The friends of the dead man claim to be able to prove by at least six witnesses that the deed was one of the clearest murder. The two men had been friends during the entire day and at its close were departing for home. Thomas, stopping at Ligons had commenced to raise a row there cursing and by disorderly conduct was frightening the ladies of the house. Alford presuming upon his previous friendship was endeavoring to lead him away, and get him home, Thomas objected and with his pistol took a steadied aim at Alford. The wounds prove they were inflicted in the most deliberate manner.