Police Searching for Jesse Morris, Who Killed Bell Lockhart, July 12 1926

Negro Killed near Maxton Last Night. . . Bell Lockhart Shot by Jesse Morris—Load No. 8 Shot Enters Unfortunate Man’s Breast and Death Is Instant—Shooting Preceded by Fuss at Lockhart’s Home—Coroner’s Inquest This Afternoon. . . Morris Escapes

Coroner D. W. Biggs has gone to the farm of Mr. Tom Evans, 5 miles from Maxton, where it is reported that Bell Lockhart, colored, was shot and killed between dark and 10 o’clock last night by Jesse Morris, colored.

According to information obtained by telephone, the shooting was preceded by a fuss at Lockhart’s home and Lockhart ordered Morris away. Later in the evening the two men met in the road, and Morris shot Lockhart while at a distance of approximately two feet from him. the load of No. 8 shot entered the unfortunate man’s breast, and death was instant. After the murder Morris ran, and he is still at large. Rural Policeman Walter Smith was at the scene a few minutes after it occurred and found the gun Morris had dropped while making his escape. Mr. Smith stated over long distance this morning that he expected to capture he man sometime today.

An inquest is being held over the dead man’s body this afternoon.

From the front page of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., July 12, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026483/1926-07-12/ed-1/seq-1/