The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-06-20
The Elijah Willis Case.

Our readers will readily recall the cir
cumstances ofthe case Of Mr.. Elijah VIII
lis, Of Barnwell District, who short time
ago fell dead as he was landing from the
boat in Cincinnati, for the purpose Of lib
erating mulatto woman who had lived
with him as his wife, and her six children;
that he had, about year previous, exc
cuted will in Cincinnati, leaving to them
all his property in South Carolina, to the
amount of some $l5o,o 900, and that this
will was placed in the hands of Messrs A.
Ii. Ernest, Edward Harwood and John
Joliffe, whom he named as his executors,
with the power to dispose Of his other
property as they might think best. The
Editor of the Eiisto (orangeburg) Clarion
has lately paid visit to Williston, in
Barnwell District where Mr.. Willis resd-
cd, and whence he writes to his paper as
follows. TCh. Standard.
In this vicinity it appears there is con-
Siderable excitement and interchange Of
feeling and sentiments respecting the dis
positions which the late Elijah Willis
made Of his property. Mr.. Michael Will
lis, brother Of the deceased, and Mr..
James Willis, a nephew, have just re-
turned from Cincinnati, whittier they had
repaired to ascertain the facts and partic-
ullars Of the death anc Will Of Elijah
Willis. They procured and brought back
with them true copy Of the Will, and
full reports Of the particulars. We have
not examined or seen the Will-but un-
derstand that it was drawn up by that
notorious abolitionist and distinguished
lawyer Of Ohio, John Joliffe, and in accor.
dance with the council and advice Of Hery
Clay. The substance Of this Will is, that
said Joliffe (he being the appointed exec
utor (shall sell the real and personal es-
tate Of said Elijah, collect all debts due,
and coming to him, and invest the pro-
ceeds in real estate Of Ohio, for the bene-
fit Of Amy and her children. Joliffe says
that he is determined to execute the Will
to the very letter and spirit-and il neces-
sary. will resort to the legal tribunal Of
the United States 20 justify his claim
and sanction his proceedings. The
other two individuals (names forgotten)
mentioned in the Will, have positively
declined having anything to do with the
affair, and ,ciseiy we opine. Joliffe, how
ever, is High Priest among the Aboli.
ton, Freesoil, Mongrel Fanatics Of Ohio
his reputation is at stake, and he must
push matters as far as the rabid hellions
can desire. If he recoils his name is ru.
ined, his unsullied philanthropic charac-
ter forever tarnished-the lustre Of bis
former glories obscured-and the anathe.
mas Of Abolitionism heaped upon bis re
motest posterity. These considerations
weigh heavily with him, and therefore he
comes Oh in few weeks to execute the
diabolical Will Of man, whose better
judgement had forsaken him, or who must
have been lsboring under mental derange-
ment when this unjust, unreasonable and
disgraceful instrument was concocted and
consumated. Joliffe, rank aboliticnist,
comes to Barnwell District, in the State
Of South Carolina, to carry into effect the
Will Of simple old man--which Will in
substance conflicts with the dearest princi.
Piles and most cherished institutions Of
our already insulted and injured State.