KRING, J. J., Beeville Bee, Friday,21 Jul 1905:

KILLING AT PAPALOTE
J.J. Kring Shot to Death by Homer Womack

Another of those deplorable tragedies, alas, too frequent in Texas, and which leaves saddened 
hearts, widows and orphans in its wake, and encumbers the courts with long-drawn-out trials 
and drags witnesses away from their business in following the cases from one county to another 
in their often change of venues, occurred Tuesday evening at Papalote.

The victim of this tragedy was J.J. Kring, an old resident of the county, who leaves a wife and seven 
children. His slayer is Homer Womack, an industrious young man and the father of several children.  
The tragedy is the result of the old story of a neighbors quarrel, fanned into flames and kept alive by 
being often reviewed and commented upon in the course of neighborhood gossip.

The facts as elicited from witnesses are few and simple. Bad feeling has existed between the two men 
on account of the assistance alleged to have been tendered by Womack to his brother-in-law, Henry 
Linney, about two years ago in an elopement with the eldest daughter of Mr. Kring.  (Elvira Almeda Kring) 
The latter never became reconciled to the match, and at least one meeting in which harsh words were 
used occurred before the tragedy. Gossips carried tales between the two men not calculated to heal the 
breach.

One day last week in conversation with a party at Long's store in Papalote, Mr. Kring spoke of Mr. Womack 
by innuendo, using an epithet in reference to him. On Tuesday evening following, Mr. Kring was again at the 
store, when Mr. Womack up and called him aside. He was heard to ask Mr. Kring whom he had reference to 
in his remarks several days previous. Kring was heard to reply: "I meant you." The answer was followed by 
three shots in rapid succession. Kring walked a few steps toward his horse hitched nearby and fell. 
Examination of his body showed three bullet wounds from a 32-caliber pistol, all going through his left arm 
and entering the body, one piercing the heart.

Immediately after the shooting, Womack went to Sinton, county seat of San Patricio county, and surrendered. 
Sheriff Wilson was apprised of the surrender and asked that the prisoner be brought to Beeville Wednesday 
morning. He met Deputy Sheriff John Phillips with him at Papalote and brought him on to Beeville where he 
was lodged in jail.  A preliminary trial was had yesterday, and at its conclusion Womack's bail was fixed at $2000.

J. J. Kring, the deceased, was well and favorably known in the county, having been reared here.  Besides his 
wife and children, he is survived by several brothers.  He was known as an industrious, good citizen, and his 
death is a source of general regret.

His slayer is likewise a young man of industrious habits.  For a year or more he was in the confectionery business 
here and bore a good reputation for sobriety and honesty.