The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-08-04

ulsposed young man, employed IN
the post Office, received a bullet
wound under the left eye, from the
effects Of which he died yesterday
morning-iust twenty-four hours
after receiving the wound. The
unfortunate man had but few lucid
intervals, during which he could
understand what was said to him.
He told his mother that it was
black man who shot him.
Coroner Walker summoned jury.
and proceeded to inquire into the
particulars of the case.
DIR. Talley stated that, when called
upon, he found Smith suffering from
the effects of wound in the left
cheek, near the outer angle of the
eye. Finding that the ball was too
deeply seated to admit of extraction,
he desisted from the search. After
death ensued, 1 proceeded with the
post mortem, assisted by DR.. E. ID.
Smith. We found that one of tho
principal blood vessels of the neck
had been severed by the ball, and
also one of the large nerves. The
ball was found in one of the large
muscles of the back of the neck.
DIR. Smith corroborated DR.. Tai
ley's statement.
Startling Strickland, q policeman,
stated that he was ut the corner of
Plain and Assembly streets when he
heard the pistol shots. He imme-
diately followed the sound, and when
he arrived at the spot, saw men run
ming In different directions. Three
colored men suggested that he should
pursue and arrest those men who ran
towards Bridge street. Proceeded
to where the firing occurred. Arriving
there, found Smith lying on the
ground, with several men around.
Was informed that the house in front
of which the wounded man lay was
occupied by colored man named
Murray, and was used as IL boarding
house for colored legislators. A hat
was found near the wounded man,
which proved to belong to colored
member of the Legislature named
Richardson. Asked who shot the
man, but could get no information.
Some one in the crowd said that the
young man had attacked the colored
members of the Legislature. A
white man named Mixson boarded
in the same house. Obtained from
Murray the names of all who boarded
In the house. Went after the Chief
of Police, and on his return. found
DIR. B. W. Taylor there. DIR. Tay-
lor examined the wounded man, but
could give no definite opinion, and
Smith was sent home. On being
cross examined, the witness stated
that there were no maks of blood
found except where Smith was lying.
Smith vomited very freely. Found
no pistol or other weapon on Smith.
Samuel w. Hook stated that he
was in company with deceased.
James Wade and Thomas Duren on
Saturday night last. AS they passed
Mrs. Hicks house, they heard firing
in the back lot. A black man ran
around the corner when Smith, (the
deceased,) holding up his hand,
said: "No, no, old mani" AS Smith
said this. the black man, (who was
inside the fence,) fired. Smith fell
Immediately. Witness was only
about three PAGES Off. The black
man turned and pointed his pistol Mt
witness, who Immediately ran off.
He heard twenty or thirty shots
afterwards. Deceased and witness
were walking peaceably along. The
fence was low, and witness was shot
over the fence. None of the party,
(witness, Duren, Smith and one
other, whose name he did not know
were armed.
William G. NIixson, (white,) stated
that he was elected to the Legisla-
ture from Barnwell. On Saturday
night, after he had retired, he saw a
number of persons in the street, near
the house, and anticipated n Difficult
ty. He Immediately went into the
privy, to get out of the way. Soon
after, he heard some words, and then
pistol shots were fired. When he
returned from the privy, the board
ing-house was empty. james Gist
had q pistol. Howard got his stick.
Haync, Gist, Sasportas, Howard and
Byers were preparing for difficulty.
George w. Allen, white, who re-
sides on Senate street, near NInr-
rays, heard pistol firing, and went