The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-05-10

THE FRANKLIN MURDER-A CASE OF CiRcUM-
sTANrIAL EvIDSNcE.-At Abbeville Court last
week an aged celorcd man, named, jeff David
was convicted of the murder of the two Franklins
brother and sister. Tho prisoner their
former slave, and was convicted upon strong
circumstantial evidence. JIe lived near the
house in which the murdered man and woman
met their death. They were both Drained by
persimmon club. which was found near the
house. The evidence against David was first
discovered by tracks leading from his house to
thicket where persimmon tree had been cut
and thence back TO the house Of the Franklns.
These tracks were measured and found to fit Da-
vid's shoes. Not only this, but it was proven
that his shoes were half sosd in O peculiar
manner, and the Identification was complete
The crowning link in the chain of evidence,
however, was the proof that the defendant had
actually cut the club from the persimmen thick
ct to which his tracks had been traced. The
knife found in his possession bore peculiar stains
which the prosecution contended could be pro-
duced by the sap of no other than the persim-
mon tree. In order to prove this, a new knife
was used to cut the limb from persimmon tree;
the stain was the same rs that found upon the
knife Of the accused, and il was proven that this
stain could be produced by no c:hor means
The prisoner was convicted, and sentenced to
be hanged on the 18th inst. The Abbeville Ne.
Cium says:
He had but little to say, merely reasserting
on his face. The jury consisted of nine whites
and three colored and their verdict was iighte-
Gus one. Evidence since discovered points un-
errinSly to him rs the party committing the
nirocious crime, and his fate is merted Hap
PLY such crimes are not frequent in this latitude.
1t was cold blooded and diaboical in the ex-
treme The forbcnrancc and love of order that
characterzes our whole people was displayed
when they refrained from taking immediate ven
geance on the offender. The attempt to fix the
guilt upon McGarvey. we imagine, will fail
JEFF David is not looking for clemency, but has
set about preparing for his death, making his
will and setting his worldly matters in order.
EXPLOSIVE PATENT FLoUR.-Minneapolis
MINI, May Am explosion occurred here last
night that caused such shock as to he at first
generally mistaken for an earthquake, but on
examination it proved to be large flour mill,
which, rs previously telegraphod, set fire to
other mills, causing on extensive confagration.
The cause of the explosion was gas generated
by the manufacture of patent -four. Seventeen
persons were killed and property to the amount
Of ST. 100000 destroyed.
The Touring mills which were involved in the
disaster form group which comprises the
heaviest concerns in the State. Chief among
them we're the two Washburn mills, the proper
ty of Ex-Governor C. C. Washburn, of Wiscon-
sin, in the one Of which the explosion occurred.
1t was the largest Touring mill in the country
and the largest but one in the world
Msssrs. Dun, Barlow g. Co. 9 report of the fail
are of the quarter ending April 1st is instructive
reading As a chronicle of commercial disaster it
has not been equaled in the history of the country
The number Of failures in this quarter exceeds
that of the corresponding quarter of last year
by four hundred and eighty-six the amount Of
the liabilities exceeds that Of the same period
of last year by SCI SAG. 1856; and Of this in
crease in nunber the Western States furnish
two hundred and forty mine. or more than half
of the increase in liabilities $40, ass. .683, or
thirty eight per cent. and this in spite of
abundant crops and vast exports.
SURvIvoRs OF HARTs BATTERY.-The surviv-
ing members Of Harrs Battery, Washington
Artillery, Hampton's Legion are requested to
send their names and addresses To DR.. J.. G..
Stephens, Blackville, s. c., in order that AR
rangenents may be made for reunion ut Black
vile or Barnweli This simmer