Baxter Shemwell on Warpath Again Attempts to Murder Wade Phillips, John C. Bower, Jan. 17, 1920

The Hickory Daily Record, January 17, 1920

Shemwell Goes on Warpath Again

Entering the law offices of Phillips and Bower at Lexington yesterday morning with a pistol in each pocket of his overcoat, Baxter Shemwell, noticed character in North Carolina, fired point blank at Wade H. Phillips and sent a bullet tearing through his vest and coat. John Calhoun Bower, the other partner, picked up a heavy paper weight and drove it against Shemwell’s head, felling him to the floor. He was relieved of his two guns.

Mr. Arthur Townsend was in Lexington yesterday and almost saw the incident. He did see Shemwell go to his home and return with a rifle, and observed that Dr. Vestal and Mrs. Shemwell intervened and prevented a tragedy. Shemwell was released on bond. The people of Lexington look for more trouble.

Shemwell was made at the lawyers because they appeared against him in a civil action. When he got to their office, he expected, it is thought, to kill both men, but he did not see Mr. Bower, whose good aim with a paper weight probably saved two lives. The incident has caused general talk wherever it is known.

It is recalled by one Hickory citizen that about 25 years ago Shemwell, who eloped with the daughter of the late Rev. C.H. Burnheim of Concord, took a shot at the minister and sent a bullet through his hat. Later they were reconciled and the father-in-law was of material aid in saving Shemwell later in the celebrated murder of Dr. Payne at Lexington. Shemwell has figured in more violent affairs than any other living man in the state, and there is scarcely a community that has not seen one or more of them.

That the last incident is not closed is the general belief. Both Bower and Phillips are fearless men and they probably will be prepared for any emergency.