The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-07-16
HOMICIDE.

On Saturday last, between the hours OF and
10 o'clock in The morning, whiskey wagon,
driven by two men, was going along the road
near the residence of Mr.. Jack Shaw, about
two miles to the right of Craytonvlle, when it
was challenged at some distance by two revenue
officers, who were riding behind the wagon.
The men in the wagon did not hear the chal'
lenge at first, but when they did hear 1T, they
Immediately halted at the foot Of the lane Lead
ing to Mr.. Shaw's house. Several persons came
out and were standing near the wagon when
tho revenue officers rode up and demanded
them to surrender, which they Immediately did,
giving up their arms at the same time. John
Davis, tho owner of the wagon and whiskey,
got out and stood up in the fence corner to
await further orders, when A. Matthewson, one
of the officers, commenced cursing him, say
ing, "You have escaped me once, but damn
you, you won't do it this time," and with that
he drew pistol and fired at Davis, who stoop-
ed, letting the ball pass over his head. DAVIS
then ran to save his life, but was pursued by
Matthewson, who kept firing all the time.
Matthowson soon returned from the pursuit,
and said to the by-standers, II have hit the
damn rascal" He then put his assistant into
the wagon with Davis hired man, and together
they drove towards Beiton. Davis, after he
was shot ran into fold near by, where one
Saylors was ploughing, and upon being halted
by Saylors, kept on short distance, and then
fell. Saylors went up to him and asked what
was the matter, when he replied, "Getme some
water, and will tell YOU" He then went and
procured the water and came back, only to find
that Davis had expired. Davis was then car
riod up. to Shaw's house, where an inquest
was held over the body in the evening" Trial
Justice Wright acting Coroner, and DR.. Hud-
gems examining surgeon. The verdict of the
Jury was wilful murder. Upon examination
of the wound, it was ascertained that the ball
entered in the back, under the right shoulder
blade, and passed through the body, protruding
just above the heart.
Matthewson, upon arriving at Bolton, spoke
exultingly of what he had done, and told MI.
McGec if anything happened to Davis to tele-
graph him at Greenville. He then left for that
place. Soon afterwards Mr.. McGee heard of
Davis death, but would not telegraph, as
Matthewson would probably try to escape.
Later in the day, q telegram was sent from
Bolton to one Tabor in Grecnville friend OF
the murdered man, telling him OF tho occur
renee, and to at once act in the matter MAJ
thewson was soon after arrested and lodgeo IN
Greenville jail, where he still remallis' Aiio
citizens of Bolton very kindly and humanely
sent after tho body of Davis, and had 1t COINED
and properly attended to until such time as his
friends could come after it. His friends went
nm TO Bclton on Monday evening last and con-
vcvcd the body to Grccnville, where it was in
tered on Tuesday.
This is homicide of the worst kind-killing
q human being in cold blood; and when the
trial takes place, we hopo that al example will
he cot in this case for others to SO by.