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

til Saturday.
THE FnANKLIx MuRpER-A CASE OF CIRCrM-
srASrIAL EvinEScE.-A Abbcvillc Court last
week nm aged cslored man, named, jeff David
was convicted of the murder of he two Frankins,
brother and sister. The prisoner was their
former slave, and was convicted upon strong
circumstanta evidence. lie lived near the
house in which the murdered man and woman
met their death. They were both Drained by
pcrsimmon club. which found near the
house. The evidence against David first
discovered by tracks leading from his house to
thickct where persimmOn tree had been cut,
and thence back 10 the house Of the Franklins
These tracks were measured and found to fit Da-
vid's shoes. Not only this, but it was proven
that his shoes were half soled in peculiar
manner, and the Identification was complete
The crowning link in the chain of evidence,
however, the proof that the defendant had
actually cut the club from the persmmon 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-
duccd by the sap of no other than the persim-
mon tree. In order to prove this, new knife
was used to cut the limb from persimmon tree;
the stain was the same MS that found upon the
knife of the accused, and it was proven that this
stain could be produced by no other means
The prisoner was convicted, and sentenced to
he hanged on the 18th inst The Abbcvile Ne.
fium says:
lie had but little to say, merely rcassering
his innocence and taking his doom with smile
on his face The jury consisted of nine whites
and three colored, and their verdict was ighte-
Gus one. Evidence since discovered points un-
errin5ly to him rs the party committing the
nirocous crime, and his fate is merited. Hap
PLY such crimes not frequent in this latitude
Ii was cold blooded and diabolical in the cx-
tremc. The forbcarancc and love of order that
characterizes our whole people was displayed
when they rcfrained from taking immediate ven
gcancc on the offender. The attempt to fix the
guilt upon Mctiarvey. we imagine, will fail
Jeif 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 3.-An explosion occurred here last
night that caused such n shock as to he at first
generally mistaken for an earthquake, but OH
examination it proved to be large flour mill,
which, previously telegraphod set fire to
other mills, causing an extensive contagration,
The cause of the explosion was gas generated
by the manufacture of patent flour. Seventeen
persons were killed and property to the amount
Of 81 300, 900 destroyed.
The Touring mills which were involved in the
disaster form n group which comprises the
heaviest concerns in the State. Chief among
them the two Washburn mills, the proper
~ Of Ex-Governor e. e.. Washburn, of Wiscon-
1t was the largest Touring mill in the country,
and the largest but one in the world.
ai..srs. Dun, Barlow & 60. report Of the fail
are Of the quarter ending April lst is instructive
reading. As n chronicle of commercial disaster it
has been cqualclin the history 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 10y S27 ,545, 1856 and Of this in
crease in nuRber the Western States furnish
two hundred nnd forty-nine, or more than half
of the increase in liabilities $40, ass. .GS3, or
thirty eight per cent. and this in spite of
abundant crops and vast exports.
SrRvIvoRs OF HART $ BATrERY.-The surviv-
ing members of Hart's Battery, Washington
Artillery, iiampton's I.egion,) are requested to
snnd their names and addresses to DR.. l.. G.
Stephens, Blackville. 5. c., in order that ar
raDgcments may he made for reunion AZ Black
vile Or Bnrnwell This Summer.