Dooley, Hickman Courier, February 28, 1902

WHO KILLED BILL DOOLEY?

W. M. POTTS HELD FOR TRAIL BOND FIXED AT $5,000

The examining trial of W. M. Potts, charged with killing Bill Dooley, a negro, at Fulton, last week, was held before Judge Kearby, Tuesday and Wednesday last and resulted in Potts being help for trial by the Circuit Court. His bail was fixed at $5,000.

In this case, some persons took the negro, Bill Dooley, from his home, at night and killed him. Dooley is said to have been a peaceable, inoffensive man, and against whom there was no charge. Potts is a policeman in Fulton and on the night of the killing at an early hour, he with a posse visited the Dooley house, in quest of a negro offender, and they had some words with Dooley. This much is admitted by the defense. Later the same night a squad took Dooley from his home and shot him to death. The prosecution proved by four witnesses, colored, that Potts was in this last squad and participated in the killing and by one witness that he saw Potts fire the fatal shot. The defense proved by witnesses white, an alibi, that at the time the killing occurred, Potts was elsewhere in the city of Fulton, and hence could not have done the shooting or been present at the time, the shooting occurred.

County Attorney Henry Remley conducted the prosecution with ability, and the prisoner was ably defended by Mr. B. T. Davis and Mr. F. S. Moore.

Mr. James Roney Assisted County Attorney Remley, and in making this his first speech as an Attorney won the highest compliments from court, bar and citizens.

POTTS WRITES A LETTER.

Mr. Potts, the accused, has written a letter to the Paducah News Democrat. 

In his letter Potts says:

“I want you to publish this letter and ask every minister of Fulton to pray for me.

“I will have my examining trial Tuesday, I want to ask you again to say to the Christians of FUlton to ask God to find the guilty.

“My home and wife and children are laden with sorrow. In conclusion, I will say, may God speed the time when the guilty may be run down before it is too late.

“My cell is so dark I am writing by candle light, and it is 10 o’clock in the morning. I have a good jailer and get plenty to eat. If anybody can say anything that will throw light upon the guilty, say it now. Yours respectfully.

R. M. POTTS