Died of Blood Poison

September 25, 1899
Macon Telegraph

Baxley, Ga. Sept. 24—Superior court adjourned yesterday, having been in session since Monday. No business of great Importance was transacted John W. Bennett, solicitor-general, was taken seriously ill Wednesday night and has been unable to attend upon the court, and hence no felony cases were tried at this term. Coroner Overstreet held an Inquest over the dead body of Dave Ashley colored, who was shot in the foot by Deputy Sheriff Joe Williams some three weeks ago.

Deputy Williams and R. L. Hoberson went in the woods where the Negro was stripping turpentine with a warrant sworn out against the Negro by A. J. Wilson, from whose employ the Negro Ashley had recently fled and gone to the business of J. W. Comas to dip gam. Ashley had a gun In the wood and hid his boy taking it about for him. As Williams approached the boy went into a pond with the gun Ashley dashed and ran toward the boy and the gun. Then Williams shot the Negro, the ball taking effect in the foot in a few days the Negro's condition grew serious, and he was brought to Baxley for treatment. Blood poison set in, however, and he died.

The grand jury had the matter under investigation before Ashley's death and returned "no bill" for assault with intent to murder.