Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-04-08
From the Columbus Enquirer, 1st-
A Midnight Tragedy. D.
MURDER OF GEO. W. AsHBURS.

Our citizens were greatly startled, on Mon
day night and Yesterday morning, by the news
that George w. Ashhurn had been killed in
the house in which he wasliying, in the upper
part of Oglethorpe street, by body OF men
III disguise. The killing occurred between
twelve and one o'clock Monday night. The
shots fred were heard by number OF persons
living in the neighborhood; the men VINO
committed the deed were seen on the streets
By one or two persons; and the tragedy was
witnes ed by several persons in and about
the house. Yet there seems TO be no eVi-
dence clearly. duplicating any one in the.af-
fair. Ashburn was shot in the head, thigh,
and foot or ankle, and other shots, it is said,
passed through his clothes. lie must have
been killed Immediately. The shots were
eridenly fired from pistols. ~
There we're variety of rumors, and seve-
raj wild coniectures as to the character OF the
parties who committed the outrageous deed.
a. coroner's inquest was held yesterday at the
house Of the murder, which, we understand.
was attended by the Mayor of the city and
t.e Commandant of the post. We under
sand that, according to the statements of ns-
groes in the house, party Of masked or dis
gused men, whose numbers they .yariously
estimate from fifteen to thirty or forty, came
to the house at the hour above named and
demanded admission. This was refused, and
they then proceeded to break into the house,
having posted themselves at both doors.
When they effected on entrance, Ashbucn
was standing near his bed with pistol in his
hand. The men Immediately commenced
shooting at him with pistols, and quickly dis
patched him, Ashburn, it is said, not firing.
It was reported yesterday that a negro woman
living in the house had stated that she recog
nized one of the men, whose mask had fallen
off; naming most respectable and orderly
Young gentleman Of Columbus. But we
learn that on examination at the irquest she
denied having made such a statement. and
said that she could not identity the man. No
one acquainted with the young gentleman
believed for moment that he was concerned
in tie affair. A negro man testified that he
saw one of the men in the alley between the
house of the tragedy and the next one, with
out a mask, and that he knew him. As this
charge may also be disproved, we viii not
publish the name of the man implicated. The
verdict of the coroner's jury was that &. W.
Ashburn YVES murdered by parties unknown.
There are, i,s we have said above, variety
of conjectures as to the cause osthis shocking
murder, and the character Of the parties by
whom it was committed. The deceased was
| tomenter Of: discord and man of strife.
He was obnoxious 70 the white people of this
city. not merely on account Of his disorgani-
ling political course, which had been greatly
instrumental in. creating and keeping alive
had feelings between the Two races, but be-
cause of his social habits. The first presump-
| tion, therefore, was that hispoitical opponents
| had compassed his death. But there are ma
nv, and it is said one or more white Radicals,
who do not believe this. That he was in an
,,ry collision with some of his own party is
we'll understood, and it was reported yester-
eay afternoon that one of his political friends
| had been arrested because of threats he had
| been heard to utter against Ashburn.' The
personal difficulties of tho deceased in this
city had been many, but it cannet be credited
that from any one of these, sprang the ami
mostly that put so tragic an end to his stormy
life. -. r7,-a 1--siGi... q; ,itg.s:
Ashburn, was considered the chief organizer
of the black Radical party of Georgia. His
influence over the negroes eas great, and
there'was considerable excitement among this
class, of the population on account OF his
bloody death. We are glad to5say, however,
ttthkt We heard of suo violent demonstrate
hy.any of them We hope that, like good
citizens, they have, come TO the sensible con
}elusion to await patiently the; investigations
of the proper authorities, and Co aidin Up
holding the laws, relying upon them to enforce
Justice without partiality or favor.