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Reel started up and ran to the river. Mr. Boyden ordered him to stop or he would shoot him, but Reel plunged into the river and attempted to swim across. Mr. Boyden ordered him to "Come back" and told him that there was no chance for him to get away, and that if he did not come back, he would shoot him. Reel paid no attention to Mr. Boyden's warning, but kept swimming across the river. Mr. Boyden then fired a shot over him, and again ordered him to come back, but Reel kept on and was lost in the darkness, when Mr. Boyden fired another shot in the direction that he had seen him last. Mr. Boyden then listened, and as he could not hear any sound, he came to the conclusion, that he had either killed Reel, or that Reel was floating. Mr. Boyden then went home and on the following day (March 11th) he reported the affair to Horace James, Asst. Supt. B.R.F. and A.L. for Pitt Co. Mr James investigated the case and made a report of it to Capt F.A. Seele Supt Eastern District N.C.

On the 25th of March, a dead body was found floating in the river, about 100 yards from the place where the shooting occurred. This body was recognized as that of Alsbury Reel; it was then put into a coffin and decently buried.

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