New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-10
THE SOUTHERN STATES
GEORGIA.

MURDER, LAwLEsSNEss, AND INJrsrTCF.
The Atlanta correspondent of The Cincinnati
Commercial writing the 25th OF January relates the
following story OF wrong and murder
bespeak your careful reading of this case-a remark
Southern fe customs, barbarity and awlessness II was
County Georgia. had just been brought in under military
arrest Upon dihgent inquiry, and from trustworthy
facts connected with aud accounting for their pres
in Atlanta in charge Of guard In the county OF
JASPER a freedman Tanned J9nh bLOwn, anu ms VIZ
husband that at different times during the summer
Barnes forced her 10 Illicit intercourse. on
Monday, the 18Th instant Barnes, who had
who had been telling that he arnes) had been keeping
her Maria replied that she had told her husband and
that he had spoken OF H. Barnes left but soon returned
with revolver ana club. Meeting Brown he demanded
whether had said that Barnes had been keeping
Maria Brown replied that lie had. and thought there
was no harm in telling the truth, whereupOn Barnes
struck Brown the head with the club and then drew
his revolver and fired AT Brown, the ball passing through
his coat and grazing his right shoulder then
out OF the house. followed by Barnes, who fired again.
Jumped up and ran again. when Barnes fired the third
shot. again hitting Brown, who managed to gain the
woods, aud That night went TO Monticello distance OF
six miles Here with three bullets IN his body, ana sim
ply for want OF money. he was unable 10 obtain
day he went TO Robert Barnes. father Of
Homer Ba Ssr d2e S % had sake D cot n a
his wife 20 attend and nurse him. Barnes ST., tOu MN
20 procure house aud he would get his wife Tor NM
Brown then went TO Berry J. Digby sherin OF jasper
County who lived In the neghb0fhOod ana procured
",
on Thursday, Jan lG Ihat nlSht sherln Dsny ga'e
ball 70 which Barnes and his friends were invited BE
tween and . o'clock, after dancing had commenced,
Homer Barnes went 10 the holse Nneie MI anu
his WIFE and again accused Brown Of talking about him.
vover he fired hitting Brown In the head and slightly
wouuding him Then. turning 20 Maria Brown. he de
liberatcy aimed his pistol her breast and fired, the
ball passing through her killing her Instantly.
Barnes then walked out to the yard ana re-
marked % the Sherrs son, John A. McClendon
aud others, that he would like To any man
arrest him for killing id nigger"-got on his horse
a.IV 80. 1ta G4N A
into the said room and said 10 him, Homer Barnes
has killed that negro wench lie went out ana found
that sure enough he had killed her. However, he paid
attention 20 the matter until III or o'clock and as
The police were going home from the Da s sent Moro n
quest Next morning he he sheriff having business To
Coroner and jury the spot John \. Mctlcndon'
above mentioned being on tie jury. Brown was exam.
med upon OATH testified substantially 10 the facts
Just related. Whereupon the jury made the following
return ,
Georgia cour We ih. iar, .ns b,ss dsi, b.
John believe her OBJ 60 hars ben eaHse b.
Eoa.- q Berr Dsby W By hand. unknown
The coroner advised the freedman Brown. TO leave
the country else ne would De killed. which advice the
pied condition and with his three children the youngest
only eight months old. made his way TO Coyngion, -
Thompson Of Jasper County Court father-nlaw Of the
murderer Barnes. 10 Coventry and wanted 20 com
promise the matter with the freedman brown Offering 70
take care OF him until he recovered from h- wounds,
and would bind himself 10 raise the cmni,h hilh
they were u years o. age. and would write
Homer Barnes 10 come back. aud he would have
fair trial before the Court of Jasper The negro how
ever refused this Offer declaring that % thor ncn
kin him IN order that be might not testify against
The murderer of his wife An officer sent 20 Jasper 10
investigate the facts O the had the following con
versati0n with the sheriff and the Coroner; Mr. sheriff.
have you made any attempt 10 arrest this man BarnesI
No 'Whyr Because had 10 warrant Have you
any doubts TO who killed the woman Answer II
had been there the findings OF the jury would nave been
different DO you not know that you can arrest feon
without a warrant Yes, know that; bit hey my
neigibOrs Judgc Thompson hires SIDE Of me and
IOmcr BaHcS The other DO you think you can arrest
mi, mani Not without the assistance OF the military
To the Coroner Where Is the testimony you took before
the inquestF Answer only swOre one witness; that
was freedman Brown and the jury would not hehevo
him. 40 did pat down his testimony Was There
yOsf morton cxaninutiOuF Answer 40 81.