Angry Uncle Shoots Bride, Kills Himself, 1917

“Angry Uncle Shoots Bride and Kills Self,” from the Oct. 5, 1917, issue of the Monroe Journal.

 “Durham, Oct. 4—Angry because she eloped last Saturday night with Lucas Sears, a young man of Chatham County, Fred Williams, well-known tobacco planter of near Apex, Wake County, today at noon shot and perhaps fatally wounded Mrs. Cassy Sears, his niece, until last Saturday night Miss Cassy Yates. He then turned the pistol to his temple and sent a bullet ploughing through his own head. He died shortly after 4 o’clock this afternoon.

Williams went to the home of Mrs. Catherine Sears, mother-in-law of the girl, this morning. The girl met him at the door and invited him in. Without speaking, he drew the revolver and shot. The bullet entered Mrs. Sears’ right eye. She fell unconscious in a pool of blood. He then shot himself. The elder Mrs. Sears witnessed the shooting. Her son and the girl’s husband of five days were in the field mowing hay at the time. The girl was rushed to a Raleigh Hospital.