A terrible tragedy occurred Saturday night about 10 o’clock on Pigeon street near the Shelton place, when George Love, colored, shot and killed William Brock, a painter, as a culmination of a grudge harbored for about two years, because Brock had hit Love’s father, Bob Samantha Love, with an axe handle. A 38 ball from a pistol shot through Brock’s back and breast. Tom Prater, colored, saw Brock stagger and fall. It is claimed that at least two other parties saw the affair. Love escaped, but gave himself up Sunday afternoon to his father and J.L. Stringfield, Chief of Police, who brought him from the home of Claude Gibbs, who lives near town, to the jail. From there he was taken in an automobile to the Asheville jail, as a precaution, by Mayor J. Harden Howell, Chief J.L. Stringfield and Sheriff John F. Cabe.
A coroner’s jury held an inquest which said Brock came to his death from a pistol in the hands of George Love, or words to that effect.
The body was taken to the undertaking rooms of the Massie Furniture Co., where it was prepared for burial on Monday afternoon at Green Hill cemetery. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. R.H. Herring, assisted by Rev. S.R. Crockett. Quite a number of people attended the burial of Mr. Brock, who was well liked by most people who knew him. Several automobiles were sent and several floral tributes were in evidence.
Brock was a painter about 35 years old and was almost the sole support of an old father and mother whom he delighted to care for. One brother and several sisters survive.
The writer knows for a fact that Brock has expected and dreaded an attack from his slayer and tried to keep an eye on him from time to time. The colored man is the same one who attacked Edgar Selsam in his bakery a few years ago and slashed him with a knife because he was refused credit for some article.
From Carolina Mountaineer, Waynesville, N.C., Jan. 18, 1923
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