The New York herald., 1872-12-05
CRIME IN FLORIDA.

swamp Angels In Disguise Shooting
Down Three Citizcns-Barbnrous In
stances OF WantOn BlOOdsh esl-HOw the
Mcssrs. Barr were Murdered.
LAKE CITY, Nov. %, 1872.
Our quiet community was startled to-day by in
telligence received from Ellisvle-a village twelve
miles distant from this place-to the effect that a
shocking murder OF three good citizens, two of
whom were white and one colored, had Just been
committed at that place, and that two confederates
named respectively Carroll and Wingate were the
actors in this dreadful tragedy. 1t seems that one
Of the confederates. wingate encountered and
shot, without the slightest provocation, colored
man, by the name OF Leonard James, on
the morning OF the day In which the
murders were committed at place called Provi-
dence, short distance from Ellisville, and the
two, WIngate and Carroll, Immediately repaired to
the latter mentioned place, where they perpetrated
two more Of the most cod-blooded and outrageous
murders known in the annals OF crime.
The subjects were Messrs. Barr flames and john
Mr.. James Barr was merchant at Ellisvllle, and
his cousin John Barr was his clerk The facts dis
closed thus far In connection with their murder
appear to be follows Upon the arrival OF these
desperate men at the store OF the Messrs. Barr.
Carroll, who acted as spokesman, walked into the
store, where they found them quietly pursuing
their avocation. and, approaching the elder, Mr..
James Barr, said to him that Wingate had told him
that he, James Barr, had
THREATENED TO KILL HIS BROTHER-IN-LAw,
Wingate. Mr. Barr oenied the accusation, and I'M.
mediately Wingate stepped into the store, and
Barr asked him why he had made such an accusa-
tion, as he had never Dy word or deed made such
an impression, having no reason for so doing as
he had nothing against him. Wingate denied hav-
ing made the charge, and at once upbralded his
sham altcrcation ensued between the brothers-in-
law, and they went out Of the store in an assumed
angry, threatening mood, and, drawing their
weapons upon each other in front OF the store, one
OF them fired his pistol In the air. At this stage
OF affairs Mr. James Barr, unarmed. went to the
door, with the intention or going out and quelling
the difficulty, as he testified before he died. and as
soon as he did so Carroll, throwing himself behind
d buggy, fired upon him with doube-barrelled
gun, heavily charged with buckshot, the charge
taking effect in his left breast and lungs. As soon
as Mr.. James Barr fell his COUSIN Mr. John Barr
likewise unarmed, went to his assistance to lift him
up, and received from Carroll the charge Of the
other barrel OF his gun In his arm, followed In quick
TwO SHOTS FROM A REPEATER
In his body. The dying men were taken TO their
that could be rendered them until they died. which
occurred in few hours after they were shot.
The strangest feature connected with this whole
affair Is that there appears to have been not the
slightest prOvocation III word or deed on the part
OF the murdered men. There seems TO have been
no incentive other than that OF disposition to
shed blood. The relation which existed be-
tween the murderers and the murdered was, as
they declared before they died, perfectly friendly
Wingate and carroll have not been arrested.
Though they remained In the ncighborhood for two
or three days after committing the murder no
steps were taken by the officers OF the 10 TO arrest
them, and they are still at large. This latter cir.
cumstance will give you some idea OF the law aud
order In our state. The Messrs Barr were re-
gardcd here as quct peaccaDe men, OF good lam
liy. The father OF Mg. james Barr is very promt
nent nau in routh Carolina, occupying the position
OF Judge OF the Circuit Court and was at the time
OF tie murder on a visit to mis- sou.
The alia.r has caused considerable cxcitemcnt
throughout this sectlon andit ts TO be hoped That
these outlaws. who have so outraged public JUS
tce. viii be arrested somewhere ani have the pen
alty OF the law tnilcted upon them