Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-06-28
A North Carolinian Brutality Murdered


On Friday night last, a most horrible
murder was committed in Pierce county,
by which q storekeeper was murdered and
his body burned to crisp. The partlcu-
lars, as we learned them from gentleman
in the city on whose place the affair occur
red, are as follows A gentleman named
W. S. Flynn, from Washington, North Car
DINA, had emigrated to Station No. =, on
the Albany & Gulf Railroad about one year
ago, and established himself in a small
grocery business. His conduct up to the
time was commendable, as he had render
ed himself very popular by his generous
conduct.
On Friday night last, while sitting in his
store, two negroes entered about o'clock,
informing him that they wished to pur-
chase. He Immediately rose to attend to
their wants, but was confronted by one of
the negroes, named Joe Williams, who
seemed to enter into IL deep conversation
with him. While so engaged the other ne
gro. named Grier Jackson, approached from
behind and struck him three times on the
back OF the head with a Ratchet. The man
was killed almost instantly, and while the
body lay i'll it's blood upon the floor, the
negroes proceeded to rob the store Of its
valuables. Being satisfied with their plum
der the body was placed in an upright pO-
sition in the chair, and the house immelii-
diately set Oh fire, after which the assas-
sins made good their escape to their quar-
tcrs. A short time afterwards several ne
groes came to the store for the purpose Of
purchasing, and seeing the house on fire
and the body sitting in the chair they be
came somewhat scared and IAN to the house
of the overseer, informing him Of the fact
Hastily gathering Il few OF his trusty men,
he repaired to the scene; but just as he
reached ii, the roof and walls fell III, bury
ing the body OF the unfortunate man.
Ii the morning after the fire had some
what subsidized, the Ratchet WAS found COW
cred with blood. Several OF the negroes
Immediately recognized it as Tie property
Of the negro, Jackson, and q squad being
sent for him, he, IN connection with VIII
Iiams, We're arrested. Yhe negroes on the
place became SO enraged at the affair that
they unanimously declared their intention
to lynch the party, when Williams, intimi-
dated at their threats, confessed the whole
crime, duplicating Jackson as the murder
er. To this accusation Jackson remained
silent, resisting with stubborness any at
tempt to draw the story from him.
The negroes on the place, highly indig-
nant at such conduct, procured large iron
chain, and placing it around Jackson neck,
tied him to green sapllng, which they
bent down Tor the purpose, and after hoist
ing Jackson about six times into the air.
he became tired out and finally confessed
his implication in the MURDER alleging as
the cause the prospect of obtaining money.
At the request Of Williams q neighboring
branch was searched, and tho apron of
Jackson, spotted with blood, was found
\ short distance from the scene OF the muir
der, six dollars in Sreenbacks were found,
which one OF the party had lost in falling
over stump.
Notwithstanding the desire of the ne
groes to execute summary vengeance upon
the assassins, they were brought to Black
shear and placed in jail.
Savannah Ncors AMI Herald