Marion Gibson Shoots Persistent Suiter, May 3, 1923

Marion Gibson Shoots Soldier. . . His Home Near St. Paul Scene of Shooting—Had Warned Married Private Williams from Fort Bragg to Keep Away from His Home—Williams’ Wounds Not Serious—Hearting Set for Friday A.M.

St. Paul, May 3—At his home one mile from here Tuesday about 3:30 p.m., Mr. Marion Gibson shot and wounded in the neck and shoulder one Jas. H. Williams, a private attached to the medical department station at Fort Bragg, who is said to be married and who had been warned by Mr. Gibson to keep away from his home and cease his attentions to his 16-year-old daughter, Miss Elizabeth Gibson.

The soldier was not seriously wounded, according to the latest reports. Mr. Gibson, immediately after the shooting, came to town and surrendered and was released on $200 bond. Hearing before Recorder Marcus Smith is set for tomorrow at 10 a.m. but it is not thought that Williams will appear for the trial. Mr. Jno. S. Butler represents Mr. Gibson.

Williams, who was on a 30-day furlough and who is said to have a wife in Benton, Ark., came here 3 weeks ago. He has been paying marked attention to Miss Gibson, whose mother is dead, in spite of repeated warnings from the girl’s father to keep away from his home. Tuesday Mr. John Gibson came to town where the girl’s father was at work on a house and told him that he had seen Williams going toward his home. Mr. Gibson at once got to his car and left for home. Arrived there, he found Williams with his daughter and when Williams put his hand into his hip pocket Gibson opened fire with a revolver, two balls taking effect.

Mr. Gibson immediately came to town with his two daughters and gave himself up to Chief of Police Rivers, bond in the sum of $200 being arranged immediately for his release.

Williams was removed to Fort Bragg in an army ambulance. His wounds are understood not to be serious. It has been announced that army officers are investigating the shooting.

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The following is taken from St. Paul correspondence of the Fayetteville Observer:

“There has been a story in circulation here for several weeks, that woman resident of St. Paul’s states several weeks ago, that if soldiers kept coming to their village some of them were going to be carried away in a hearse. Shortly after this, the military police were obliged to go to St. Paul to arrest a soldier. A few days later, another soldier required ambulance treatment.”

From the front page of the Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., May 3, 1923