From the Portland Commercial, Thursday September 8, 1887, p4 c1

Shot:  Last Saturday evening about 11:00 p.m.m, John J. Paxson and Eli Williams were returning from Montpelier and they went into Levi Pence's watermelon patch to get some melons.  They heard someone in the corn and began to run when Mr. Pence who was watching the patch fired at them wounding Mr. Williams who fell to the ground saying, "Oh, my God, John, I am shot".  Mr. Paxson carried him to the fence and leaned him against it and started for help.  He soon overtook Mr. Pence's sons who were driving along the road.  They put Mr. Williams in the buggy and took him to Emery Rigby's in Balbec.  Mr. Paxson then went for Mrs. Williams and the others to Camden and Portland for the Doctors.  Mr. Williams died at 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  Neighbors and friends were indignant that the life of such a worthy citizen had been sacrificed for so trivial an offense.  Mr. Williams lived about 3 miles east and 1/2 mile south of Balbec.  Mr. Paxson on the adjoining farm.  Mr. Pence about a mile west and 1/4 mile north of Balbec.  Mr. Pence is about 53 years old.  He was arrested Sunday by Constable Lea on the Affidavit of Benjamin F. Paxson, charging his with murder in the 1st degree.  The preliminary trial was before Squire MIller, who took testimony of John J. Paxson, James Barnes, Byron Beaker, Benjamin Paxson and Mr. Pence was committed to Jail

From the Portland Commercial, Thursday, September 8, 11887 p4 c1

Eli Williams was buried on Monday at West Grove with honors of war by James B. Cartwright Post of Camden.  Over 1000 people attended the funeral.  Eli Williams was born in Jackson Twp., on January 9, 1846.  He was married to Emily Fisher, d/o Samuel Fisher, living near Nottingham, Wells co., Indiana in 1872 and died September 4, 1887 41y 8m 25d.  They have a son about 13 years old. During the war, Mr. Williams was a member of Co. H. 2138th Indiana Regiment.