(1) AGED VADALIA DOCTOR AND SON BEATEN UP.
Vidalia, Ga., Nov. 10.-Physicians summoned from Vidalia this morning to a point about four miles north on the Florida Highway found Dr. B.P. Holmes severely wounded in the head and face, and his son, Otis Holmes, with a shot gun wound in his side just below the heart, which, it is said would prove fatal.
Dr. Holmes, who is sixty-seven years old was in a semi-conscious condition, but Otis Holmes, whom it is said is fatally wounded, had a clear mind and made a statement, according to which Willie Phillips made the wounds on the elder Holmes with the butt of a pistol and Fulton Williamson fired the shotgun into the side of young Holmes.
According to young Holmes’ statement, the Phillips live in the same neighborhood, and Mrs. Willie Phillips came to the Holmes residence evening before last and asked to be allowed the privilege to spend the night and to be brought to the home of Angus Todd, who is a kinsman of her own yesterday morning, further stating that she had disagreed with her husband and left him.
The arrangements were so made and yesterday morning when the Holmes car was on the way to Vadalia it was met by a car with Phillips and three or four others, the Phillips’ car having been placed crosswise in the road. Dr. Holmes, according to young Holmes’ statement, was ordered from the car by Phillips, who began to shower blows on Dr. Holmes with the butt of his pistol. Holmes picked up a crank in which to defend his father whereupon Williamson entered the Holmes’ car and fired the shot gun at close range, the charge entering the side and carrying with it buttons and part of the clothing.
Physicians say Dr. Holmes will recover, but that there is no chance for young Holmes, the charge having torn through the intestines and lodged in the back just under the left kidney.
Officers left here immediately but have made no arrests yet.
Dr. Holmes is a large farmer of this section, being the owner and manufacturer of a specific. Willie Phillips is a farmer of the same section and is about forty years of age, the Phillips family having a large connection to this and adjoining counties. Williamson also is of a large family.
The Phillips and Williamson families are connected. It is not thought that the trouble this morning was the result of a feud, as a son of Mr. Phillips gave every assistance to the wounded men and brought Otis Holmes to the hospital here on the Phillips’ truck. No communication can be had with either Phillips or Williamson, and it is not known whether they anticipated a tragedy or merely thought to have an understanding with Mrs. Phillips.
It is said that three shots were fired, one from a shot gun and two from a pistol, only one shot taking effect. Otis Holmes, whose wounds will no doubt prove fatal, is sixteen years of age and worked for his father on the Holmes farm. He is at present in the Vadalia Hospital and does not seem sure of the identity of the other passengers of the Phillips car, though he thinks they were kinsmen of the two men whom he recognized.
Source: Daily Times Enterprise, Thomasville, Georgia, Thursday Afternoon, November 10, 1921; Pg. 3
(2) VIDALIA FARMES WILL BE ARRESTED FOR BEATING AFFAIR.
Prominent Family Under a Charge of Shooting of Otis Holmes and Severe Beating of His Father. - Wounds May Prove Fatal.
(By Associated Press.)
Vidalia, Ga., Nov. 10.-A sheriff’s posse left Lyons county before noon today for a point four miles north of Vidalia, where it is expected to make five arrests with the connection of the fatal shooting yesterday of Otis Holmes, aged 16, and the wounding of B.P. Holmes, who it is alleged tried to aid the wife of a neighbor to escape from her husband.
Young Holmes died early today.
According to officers, the boy stated that Mrs. Willie Phillips came to the Holmes’ house Tuesday night and asked to be allowed to spend the night there and was taken to the home of a kinsman the next morning. Yesterday, while escorting her on the road near the Phillips home, a fight ensued, resulting in the shooting.
Source: Daily Times Enterprise, Thomasville, Georgia, Thursday Afternoon, November 10, 1921; Pg. 1
