True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-07-22
Vol. Pho. q

TAIN SILAs.-We briefly noticed in last
weeks paper the murder of Benjamin g.
Sims--a wealthy planter, living about four
miles from this place.--bY his oveFSeer.
Silas has been in the employ ofSims for
nearly six months. Within four weeks of
the killing SiIas expressed himself we'll
satisfied with the treatment he had re-
ceived from Sims. A week or ten days
before the murder, Sims discharged him,
because---as Sims averred in his dying de-
clarations, and as stated in SilaS's voluntary
statement supposed either truthful.
| ly or Wrongfnlly) that Silas was too init
mate with SimS'S colored girls, and had
made bad crop. SiIas desired Sims to
settle for the full year; this Sims refused to
do. They parted, the morning that Silas
was discharged, without threatenings, or
harsh words, from either party.
After this, Sims told Keithler, Ia partner
of Sims's in the mII,) that If he sims
caught SiIaS "prowling about his premises
or negro quarters at night, he would shoot
him." This intelligence, Keithler swore
positively, he had never communicated 10
Silas. Afterwards, however, through the
contradictions which marked the testimony
of Keithler, the court, as well as all present,
were led TO believe, that Keithler had not
only informed Silas of this, but had also
told him that Sims "intended to shoot Sllas
down, wherever he found him, without
giving him time to wink"
As appears from the testimony, the kill
ing took place ON Wednesday evening, the
gath, about sun down, in the neighborhood
of $50 yards from Smss house. Sims was
returning along his lane on horseback, and
within 40 yards of his little daughter,
very interesting young girl of IL years Of
age, who was proceeding from the house
for the purpose of meeting her father, on
his return from the field. This little girl
was the only white person who witnessed
the scene. Her testimony was clear and
distinct, and correct; no doubt, i'll every
important particular.
The voluntary statement Of Silas, admit
ted that he had shot Sims once; and then
inflicted numerous wounds on his person
with a kuife. That he discharged his
second pistol into the fence corner, &c.
That he approached Sims by demandinga
settlement; that Sims rePlyed that ne wish
ed TO have nothing to do with him; that he
took hold of Sims, when he attempted To
cut Sias with pocket knife. Silas then
shot him; and, on falling from his horse,
Silas pursued him, using knife.
The testimony of Miss Sims, as we'll as
thedying declarations ofthe murdered man
show that SiIas was in ambush, and fred
without the victim receiving any warning
whatever of the presence of his enemy.
That, on being shot, Sims fell from his
horse, but got up and attempted to get
away; that he ran across several rows OF
cotton; that Silos pursued him; knocked
him down with clods; stabbed him some
Is or l9 times; and then shot him a second
time, placing the pistol near his face. Mr..
Sims was carried off for dead, but did not
expire until Friday.
Silas was apprehended at Mr.. Sims's mill
shortly after the sceue, by MIR. Gaines
Banlxston, who brought him to town and
placed him in the hands of the proper
officers. Raymond Gazette.
TEMERANcE.-rh was lately Tenn
Derance Society established in Prussia
whose rules and regulations allowed the
members to- drink any kind Of wine or
olher liquors, in any quantity, but not so
much as 10 be "a oxicated, vnlgarly called
igetting drunk" In the case Of such an
offence, il any member prove the fact
against the offenders fine is imposed Of ten
golden, 1851 which can be recovered BY
law, the Society having a charter for the
purpose: the money thus collected (aftef
iefraying its own exPenSes) is applied to
purposes. A very good instit1-
ion. But better mode Of reformation is
pplied in Switzerland; there is, according
o the law Of the land, a blacktable pro-
,ided and suspended in conspicuous
,lace III every tavern, on which the land
ord has to chalk down every confirmed
name; and is prohibited under
,enaity, togive such individuals any kind
4 liquor, wine or beer either for love or
money, which law is reigiousIy observed
" the publcans, as this kind Of custo-
ners, commonly, are not troubled withthis
Carr. WLKER-Hs wiH not Accept.
The New Haven Register says: "A gen
leman from Corpus Christi, who is inti-