The Macon Daily Telegraph
7 August 1922

INJURIES FATAL TO J. B. O'NEILL

Byron Man Dies in Hospital With Fractured Skull

SON-IN-LAW HELD IN JAIL

Charge of Murder Made Against William Watson

J. B. O'Neil, 66, merchant of Byron, died yesterday afternoon at 4:25
o'clock in the Clinic on Walnut street from injuries sustained when his
son-in-law, William Watson, 33, of Byron, is said to have made an attack
on him Thursday, swinging an iron nut attached to a piece of string.
O'Neill was struck on the head and his skull fractured.

O'Neill was kept in Byron under the care of a physician there until Friday
afternoon, when he was brought to Macon for an emergency operation. The
operation took place at the Clinic Friday night and a large blood clot was
removed from his brain. It was thought by attending surgeons that he
would show some improvement following the operation, but he steadily sank
until his death yesterday afternoon.

Watson was arrested by county officials and carried to Perry shortly after
the assault, charged with assault with intent to murder. His hearing was
postponed pending the outcome of O'Neill's condition.

Watson Held Without Bail
Houston county authorities said yesterday afternoon there would be no
inquest held as there were eye witnesses to the assault and that Watson,
now charged with murder, is being held in the jail at Perry without bail.

From relatives who accompanied O'Neill to Macon it was learned that he had
had some trouble with Watson when he reprimanded him about tending to
stock and that he had struck Watson. The son-in-law is said to have
attached the iron nut to the end of the string and then to have swung it
repeatedly, standing at such a distance that O'Neill could not reach him.

The body of O'Neill was taken to Byron last night where the funeral will
take place from his home this afternoon at 4 o'clock and interment will be
in the local cemetery. Surviving Mr. O'Neill are one son, H. C. O'Neill,
and five daughters, Mrs. Warren Howard, Mrs. Ella Sledge, Mrs. Horace
Joiner, Mrs. William Watson and Mrs. James [Bates?], all of Byron.

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