Domestic News May 7, 1839

Southern Argus

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Crime, Legal Or Court, Death Or Funeral

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

George W. Horton, George C. Taylor, Mrs. Taylor

Q: What keywords are associated?

Homicide, Justifiable Killing, Bowie Knife Threat, Loaded Whip, Carpenter Horton

Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi

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What is this article about?

George W. Horton was shot and killed by George C. Taylor in self-defense after threatening Taylor and his wife with a loaded whip near the city. An inquest and trial resulted in a verdict of justifiable homicide, freeing Taylor.

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Homicide. The Coroner was called on Sunday morning last to hold an inquest on the body of George W. Horton of this city, who was found dead near the door of George C. Taylor, who resides about a mile from town.

It appears that Horton, on Saturday, accused Taylor with tearing off some of the palings of his fence, and some warm words passed between them, whereupon Horton drew a bowie knife and made some threats against Taylor.

On Sunday morning Horton procured a heavy loaded whip and entered the yard of Taylor and swore he would take the life of the latter or be killed himself. Taylor endeavored to persuade him away, and Mrs. Taylor came to the door of the house and added her entreaties to induce him to leave, but with no avail.

Horton then advanced upon Mrs. T. with his loaded whip and raised it, and while in this attitude Taylor stepped into the house, took a loaded gun and shot Horton in the neck.— Taylor was immediately arrested, and on the trial the evidence was so clear in his favor that the jury returned a verdict of justifiable homicide, and he was discharged.

Horton was a Carpenter by trade, and was represented to be a man of a bad and revengeful disposition.

What sub-type of article is it?

Crime Legal Or Court Death Or Funeral

What keywords are associated?

Homicide Justifiable Killing Bowie Knife Threat Loaded Whip Carpenter Horton

What entities or persons were involved?

George W. Horton George C. Taylor Mrs. Taylor

Domestic News Details

Event Date

Sunday Morning Last

Key Persons

George W. Horton George C. Taylor Mrs. Taylor

Outcome

horton shot in the neck and killed; taylor arrested but discharged after verdict of justifiable homicide.

Event Details

Horton accused Taylor of damaging his fence on Saturday and threatened him with a bowie knife. On Sunday morning, Horton entered Taylor's yard with a loaded whip, threatening to kill Taylor. After failing to persuade him to leave, Horton advanced on Mrs. Taylor with the whip raised. Taylor then shot Horton in the neck with a loaded gun.