The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-27
Swift Retributfou-A Georgia Negro
Murders white Planter and Acct
tnentasIy shoots Himself Whsie HS '
from the Albany tGs,) News ]


dentalIy shoots Himself while ks'
Gaping.
fVrom the Albany tGs.) Fews.1
On Tuesday last. at early morn, most
horrible tragedy and murder occurred on
Mr.. B. IT. Iilrs "Mud Greek" plantation
in this county, IN which MIR. Rush, the
manager, and Paul Butler, freedman
working on the place, were the parties, ana
both killed. The testimony before the jury
Of inquest disclosed the following pasI'cu-
lars:
"On Monday Mr.. Rush saw some. piow-
,ods abusing the mules, and ordered them
TO desist. They laughed defiance. and con
tined to maltreat the mules. Mr.. Rush
threatened to chastise them If they, did not
desist. and one of them quit the ,poW ana
went home. The father and mother OF TINS
one very properly brought him back 10
Mr.. Rush, and held him while Mr.. Rtsn
administered light punishment. The father
not being satisfied with the whipping ad-
ministered by Mr.. Rush, concluded II was
his duty to exercise n fathers privilege
and while LAYING on the lash. Paul Butler,
surly black fellow, walked up and re-
marked that 'befolc he would hold child
Of his for white man to whip him ne
would suffer his hearts blood to flow 10
this Mr.. Rush replied: This no business
of yours; 90 on to your work. rant re-
piled impudcntly, saving, among other
things, that he would suffer no - to
whip one of his Children At this point
MIR. Rush got hold of plow-handle aud
made at Paul. Paul retreated and seized q
heavy swingle-tree, and was about to make
his imminent danger, drew his pistol anC
fired. This shot was doubtless fired simply
to stop the asSailant. and with no intention
of hitting him. AT any rate, they were
very close together, and the shot did mo-
take effect. Nj. Rush then rode home, an(
rode rapidly away from the place, and al
was apparently quiet till the fata
hour arrived next morning. On Tues
day morning, when the negroes were
on their way to the field, some of then
came up with Paul Butler, who had hi
gun on his shoulder. lie informed then
that it was his intention to kill MIR. Rush al
soon Us he came out into the field. Iii
| friends argued the matter with him, ant
begged him to put his gun away and go t
work. He refused to he governed by thei
advice, and, pcrsisting i'll his murderou
purpose, swore he would kill Mr.. Rush q
first sight. All hands then went to worl
except Paul. his brother Ben, his rela
tive, Ben Wade, and his friend, Nose
Holt--thc latter three not being account
ed for at that time. Paul stationed
himself Il short distance from the In
borcrs. Mr.. Rush rode up, and Paul adj
vanced toward him, and addressed hin
with: 'G-d d--n you. you shot at me yes
terday for nothing. and now Pm ready tt
shoot with YOU; whercup0n Mr.. Rusl
replied: Don't come any nearer me
stand back Mr.. Rush then attempted tc
draw his pistol, and while in the act Pau
levelled his gun and fired. placing forty
eight deadly missiles III the breast, abdo.
men, neck. and head Of his victim-klline
him instantly. Paul then ran to his mule
tied in the woods hard by, mounted it. Will
gun i'll hand, and made off toward the
Hobbs Place another one of Mr.. Nill',
ing negroes, Ben Butler, Ben Wade, and
Moses Holt. and perhaps some others.
At a gate opening into the Hobbs planta
ton they found the dead body of Paul lying
on one side OF the gate and his gun on the
other. The top Of his head was blown off,
and bis face burned with the powder, show.
ing Enthusiastically that he had come TO his
death 10y the accidental discharge of the
remaining barrel while going through the
gate on his mule.
That afternoon III inquest was held
over the dead bodies, and verdictS render.
ed in accordance with the facts. The ties.
timony Satisfied the jury that Ben Butler,
Ben Wade, and Moses Holt were acces.
SORES, and Deputy Sheriff Brown being
present with a posse, proceeded ut once to
arrest AL three Of them, and they are nov
in Jail awaiting examination. Mr.. Rush
was Il quiet, peaccable, sterling man, and
one Of the best managers in the county.
In n tn
Mrs. Rush, we understand, was confined
the same morning, after her husband left
the house, and was not informed Of his
death till late in the afternoon. Three per-
sons who were commissioned to break the
terrible news to her failed of courage and
could not do it,