Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-03-09
From the Dcnnettsville S. c. Son of Temperance.
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY THREE MEN POISONED

On Thursday last the 9th our quiet commu.
uity w:ls startled with flying reports that several
persons had been poisoned on strychnnc whis-
key, ut a grocery and confectionery, opened here
not long since, by John G. Terrell, young man
If respectable connections in this District.
Among other articles on hand in this shop it
WAS pretty well understood in the village, that
Intoxicating liquors were kept for the accommo-
dation Of thirsty customers.
Between eleven and twelve O'clock it seems
Mr.. Ananias Graham, an aged and very respec'
table citizen of our District, and his son MIR.
John W. Graham-thc grand father and uncle OF
Terrell-happenel at the shop together. and
young man by the name of John i. McCollum.
who spent most Of his time there, was also pres
eat.
Afte the alarm was given, and the neighbors
rlshcd in. the Grahams were fOunl down, with
dreadful spasms, McCollum just beginning to
experience the effects OF the poisonous liquor,
and Terrell himself, it was said, had also drank
with the others.
Some four or five Physicians happened IT, he
near by and were promptly called in-probably
in less than ten minutes after the liquor was
drank, but in spite uf every effort thus instantly
made 10 save them, the Messrs. Graham Cied in
s)mc twenty or thirty minutes, and McCullum,
after suffering the most cXcruciating agony Tor
some twclv: hoars died about midnight.
Terrell was, soon after the occurrence, removed
to his fathers residence in the village, where it
was reported he too was suffering severely.
Of course such an occurrence, on the corner
of our public square, at midday, was well calcu-
lated to sartle our quiet village, aud to produce
| the most intense excitement.
Crowds hOcked in 10 witness the extraordinary
s2ectacle-,wo highly respectable citizens, who
had been greeting their friends in good health
bat a few moments before, now lay dead, the
| f.thcr and son in u few feet of each other-and
y)ung McCuum evidently dying near by, all
f:om drinking single glass ef achiskey!
Immediately succeeding the tragic event, no.
body appeared to suspect f,ul play, but all Won
d.rcd how so much deadly poison could have
been imbiLed from SO small Il quantity OF what
is now generally termed "strychnne whiskcy,
The question WAS discussed variously and ear
nestlv, in numerous excited groups about the
Pubic Square, for several hours, when, as mat
Ter of course, u Grlnal Investigation OF the facts
md circumstances hy q Corouer's Inquest. was
| suggested. Some deemed such an investigation
unnecessary, and, satisfied that the whole affair
was purely accidental, were willing to dispense
with the usual tJrmalities observed when death
occurs thus suddenly. Others insisted upon the
propricty aud necessity Of all Inquest and the
Coroner was accordingly sent for.
Just before sun set full and very Intelligent
Jury was summoned, and being duly sworn pro.
ceeded with the investigation, in view Of the
dead bodies of the Messrs Graham.
The Inquest collected from various sources
facts and circumstances, that led them to unite
in n verdict that required the Coroner forthwith
to issue warrant for the arrest of John c. Ter.
rell, about II o'clock that night, and the Sheriff
Immediately committed him to the Jail, to await
his trial for murder at the ensuing term Of our
Court, which is to sit here week after next.
The following day, in consequence Of McCol.
ums death, which occurred about an hour after
the first Inquest ended, another Jury duly sum.
monel by the Coroner assembled and in view
OF the dead body, made still farther investiga-
ii )us, and agreed upon Il similar verdict to those
rendered the night before.
The Charleston -utrcury gives the following
circumstances Of the poisoning:
Mr.. Terrell had procured n large stock Of
goods by the fal:e endorsement of the names OF
his grandfather and uncle upon his paper. The
paper had been sent from u bank in this city to
their agent in Benncttsve, who had communi-
Gated with Mr.. Graham, senior, upon the subject.
Mr. Graham denied all knowledge Of the paper,
and visited his grandson, in company with his
son, for the purpose of demonstrating with him.
What transpired at that meeting is not fully
known But it does not appear that any alter
cation ensued. As;Messrs. Graham wero shout
leaving, Mr. Terrell directed his clerk, Mr, Nc,
Collum 10 90 to certain shelf in the store and
bring bottle of excellent whiskey. This was
done, and Messrs Graham partook of it, and
soon died, as our correspondent relates. The
clerk, Mr.. MeCyum took a private drink as
he returned the butte to its shelf, and thus fell
victim. Mr.. Terre denies all knowledge Of
the poison, and AYERS that he never in his life
purchased any. But, unfortunately, for the
truth of this statement, the books Of an apothe.
cary in Bennettsville show a charge against him
for strychnine and arsenic, furnished six months
ago.
Drs. W. !. David and T. jennings of Ben
nettsvil!c, who conducted the past mOrtem exami-
nation, have brought the stomachs of the de.
ceased, the bottle of whisky, and a package of
suspected poison to this city, for the purpose of
ANALYSIS. Drs. David and jennings are at the
Charleston Hotel.