THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, June 13, 1929

LAWTON DEEN DIES AFTER BEING SHOT BY DRUNKEN NEGRO

Negro Declared Murderer by Coroner’s Jury After Investigation

Lawton Deen, young white man of the Haw Creek community, was shot Saturday night (8 Jun) by a Negro named A. White, when it was states was in a drunken condition, According to witnesses, Mr. Deen had sent to Bunnell by another Negro for some article and had to the Negro house to get them and upon entering the house was shot by the Negro without provocation.

Deen, who was shot in the abdomen, made his way to the home of Mrs. H. W. Poff where he fell from exhaustion in the yard. Assistance from Bunnell was sent for and after arrival of several persons from here, according to Dr. Reddin Britt, Deen was carried to a hospital in Daytona Beach, where Deen succumbed Sunday night.

The Negro who shot Deen was arrested soon afterwards by Constable J.  L. Pellicer and lodged in jail here but was moved to St. Augustine the next day. After the death of Deen, an inquest was made with Justice M. Stone in charge. The coroner’s jury rendered a verdict of murder in the first degree against the Negro. It was stated by Justice Stone that Deen, before his death, identified the Negro as his assailant.

Levi Deen, of Alma, GA, and father of the dead man, arrived here Sunday afternoon and went to Daytona Beach to claim the body which was taken back to the home of the family for burial.

Since the inquest was held, Justice Stone went to St. Augustine and interviewed state’s attorney Julian C. Calhoun in an attempt to have a speedy trial for the Negro. Justice Stone said that the state’s attorney would move to accomplish this as soon as circuit court in St. Johns County is adjourned.