Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-07-11

Of Nelson's skill as painter, it is useless te
speak in this community, where there ART
many specimens of his work but to those
unacquainted with the facts, we would say
that he executes the ornamental branches o.
house painting-such as graiuing, marb]ing
psperhanging, &c.-in style that cannot
be excelled by any painter, whether in towr
or city. - ."#
UNFORTUNATE CASE or SHOOTING.
In the forenoon of Thursday last, an un
fortunate homicide was committed near the
premises of Mr. James B. Wood, who lives
on Allison creek, and near the Chester and
Lenoir Ralroad-his residence being but a
short distance east from the railroad trestle
over the creek. The victim of the unfortu.
nate affair was Alexander Grier, a colored
man, we'll known in Yorkville. The deceas.
ed was subject to spells Of mental alteration,
and while in state of lunacy, on Thursday
morning, he wandered up the railroad, having
had, it appears, alterations with several per-
sons whom he met on his way, none of them
knowing who he was, or suspecting the true
condition Of bis mind Arriving at the
house of Mr.. Wood, whose wife was alone
Mr.. Wood and hired girl, Grace jackson,
being some distance from the house working
in the 6eld-the demonstrations Of the strange
negro greatly alarmed Mrs. Wood. and at her
frat opportunity to escape from the house, she
hastened to the field to inform her husband
of the presence of the intruder. Mr.. Wood
Immediately went to his house, and soon af.
ter his arrival there the fatal alteration en-.
sued, the particulars of which can best be re.
lated by a repetition of the evidence ELECTED
BY the jury of inquest, impaueled by Trial
Justice James S. Lewis, acting as coroner,
who, with the sheriff, repaired to the scene
that afternoon, Mr.. Wood having come to
town and surrendered himself to the sheriff,
reporting that he had shot and killed Alex.
ander Grier. .... .a,n,
The following jury was impaneled, the last
six of whom are colored R. A. Hsgans
foreman Robert Robson, J. H. Hemphill
w. F. Gardner, D. w, Whitener, j. c. Bri
an, Moses Bryant, Lawrence Moss, 81 Hemp
hill, Dave Anderson, Sam jackson, Grief
Brian. the dseeased, on being viewed by
the jury, was found lying on his face on the
east embankment of the railroad, be having
been apparently descending the embankment
when he received in bis breast apd the um'
bilical region the contents Of the gun, which
was charged with small shot.
The first witness sworn was Mrs. Margaret
Wood, wife of James B. Wood, who made
the following statement.
Deceased was shot by Mr.. Wood, as am in
formed. The deceased was in my yard to day
and frightened me. old not see him when he
first came to the house. He had In his hands two
pieces of iron, and was striking them together
for while, after which he concealed himself.
attempted to close the house to prevent him from
seeing me, when he came around to window
and demanded something to eat. I told him II he
would wait until could prepare It, would give
him something. He cursed me, and said be
knew that dinner was then ready. He afterwards
went away, but soon reappeared for the third
time. l then left the house and called my hus.
band, who was working in the field. My hus.
band returned to the house in advance Of me-
When 1 came to the house, advised my hus.
band not to approach the deceased without his
gun; that feared deceased would injure him.
did not know the deceased. I did not see the
shooting.
Grace jackson, colored, was sworn, and
testified
do not know how the deceased came to his
death; only heard Mr.. Wood say that he had
shot the deceased. was working in the field
with Mr.. Wood when Mrs. Wood came for her
husband, in great alarm, at the intrusion Of de-
ceased. After coming to the house, saw the de.
ceased walking on the railroad trestle. after
wards heard the report Of gun, but did not see
the shooting. Mr.. Wood told me to go for Mr..
Parrot, saying he thought he had killed that
man.
Mr.. C. NJ. Parrot, sworn, testified as fol.
lows:
Mr.. Wood sent for me- with a message that he
had shot man and thought he had killed him.
came down the railroad and saw the dead body
lying near the track. Mr.. Woods statement to
me was, that he approached deceased and asked
him why he had been at bis house alarming bis
wife, when the deceased replied, by telling him
not to question him in such manner. Mr..
Wood replied, "You ought not to talk to me In
that way" when deceased put his hand in his
hereW Mr.. Wood demonstrated with deceased,
who continued to advance upon him in a threat
ening manner, when he, Mr.. Wood, fired. After
relating these facts TO witness, Mr.. Wood told
witness ne WOulQ 20 10 1OrkVlue anu SuFleuueI
himself to the Sheriff.
The above is the evidence taken at the in.
quest, after which the jury rendered yer.
dict that the deceased came to his death on
the 9TH day Of July, 1878, by gunshot
wound, inflicted by James B. Wood.
AS previously stated, Immediately after
the occurrence, Mr.. Wood started to town
and upon his arrival, surrendered himself to
the Sheriff: He was locked up at once.
On Monday last, Mr.. Wood, by his coun.
sci, Messrs. Witherspoon & Spencer, petition
ed Judge Mackey, at Chester, for writ OF
habeas corpuo, submitting the evidence elicit.
ed at the inquest, the atidavits of number
of persons showing the violent disposition Of
the deceased as eynced towards them on the
same day, and also his own affidavit, which is
as follows:
SOUTH CARoLINA-YoRK COUNTY.
Personally appeared before me- Jas. B. Wood
who being duly sworn, says that he ia % years o.