Rev. E.L. Pierce Killed, Brothers R.O. Garrett and L.C. Garrett Charged, June 6, 1923

Baptist Divine Is Slain in Feud. . . Bitter Political Hatred Long Standing Ends in Minister’s Death. . . 2 Brothers Are Held. . . Preacher was Disarmed by His Assailant

By the Associated Press

Richmond, Va., June 5—Rev. E.L. Pierce, pastor four Baptist churches in Cumberland county, was killed and R.O. Garrett, clerk of the Cumberland county court, was seriously if not fatally wounded at Cumberland Court House early today in a shooting affray which local, state and police authorities believe was the culmination of a political feud which has raged in this county for a number of years.

The minister was shot dead near his home. Garrett, who was brought to this city with a pistol wound in his side, and his brother, L.C. Garrett, Cumberland County Commissioner in Chancery, were arrested late today and charged with killing the minister. L.C. Garrett was placed in jail, but was later released under bail of 5,000 for his appearance in police court tomorrow. His brother remained at the hospital under guard of a police officer.

Inquest in the death of the minister was conducted at Cumberland Court House this afternoon, the coroner’s jury fixing responsibility for the killing upon the Garretts. The verdict stated that the jury found “that the said Pierce came to his death by means of a leaden shot fired from a pistol in the hands of R.O. Garrett and L.C. Garrett, one or both, on the fifth day of June, 1923, shot at, towards and against the body of the said Pierce, penetrating the body and giving him a mortal wound, from which he died instantly.”

Witnesses at the inquest testified that Pierce was beaten by L.C. Garrett prior to the shooting. After the beating, it was said, Pierce went into his house and returned with a shot gun and a pistol. R.O. Garrett wrested the shot gun from the minister, witnesses stated, and then it appeared that the shooting became general. Pierce was mortally wounded and R.O. Garrett dropped to the ground with a bullet in his side. L.C. Garrett suffered a slight flesh wound in the arm.

It was brought out at the inquest that Rev. Pierce had taken an active interest in politics recently, aligning himself with the faction opposed to the Garretts. Bitter feeling had existed between the two factions for several years and numerous fights among citizens of the county have occurred.

From the front page of the Winston-Salem Journal, Wednesday, June 6, 1923