The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-24
The Killing of F.. E. TruWitt.

Last Monday morning, between eisht ama
mine O'Clock, +. F. Truwitt was inortally
wounded on George Palmer's place, ABOUT one
mile from his " home In Bordeaux town-
shin, Gu the Savannah Side. about eighteen
milcsirom Abbevillc Court House. and on his
rcturs home lay down on the road sSde and
died about midday.
snentil reference TO the ~killingand rs cause.
Thomas Myers had rented land from Truwitt:
rruwflt about q ,non,h ago levied ON Myers
cotton for rent; about the same time Truwitt
and one Of Miles sons had a difficulty about
some utogs; Myers indicted Truwitt before
Trial ,5ssicc Keller, In WHICH sction Myers
was not sustained, lost his sun, ana was
thrown On costs, O part of which Tr:lwitt vol
unfairly paid. Myers. however, was very
lnuch incensed at the result OF the trial; last
Monday morning Truwitt levied on Crate
Browns cotton for rent: during ms absence
Mvers went to Truwitt's mother on the morn
ing uf the killing. and cnquircd for him not
finding him he proceeded 10 Crate Browns
where he found TruWltt, anu inc coIS,noie;
and commenced cursing him; Truwtt asked
linn 10 go away; he didn't want q FUSS with
him. Myers was still more offensive ana Iru,
.ritt made n move te get out of his way, and
Myers struck him with his fist and kicked
him in his stonac Truwitt then made lur-
,thcr effort TO get away, and sought tne protec,
tion OF the constable, {. l.. Ccrlcy; Myers still
pursuing, Truwitt attempted to shoot him
when the constable knocked the pistol out or
his hand, picking 1t up Truwitt Knocked
MYERS down WIN ttuf'u uPot ~ NV
ed him down again. covered ht'n, and was
getting the better OF the fight, when Myers son
Robert about IA years old, ran up behind Irtl-
witt and cut hiai two or three times in the
back between the shoulders. Alter the cut
ting Truwittr an about a quarter OF a mile IN
the direction OF home; Myers then went
home; got his gun; Went 10 IruWltts
with his gun IN ms manu-; "a. uEwm
Mrs. Truwittif her son. E6. had come; said
then had been in u quarrel and that he
thoaght he had killed him, ana II ne had not,
Ell "a Kin the whole family that day. In about
an hour Mrs. Truwitt, her daughter Mrs. Giles,
and 4 little colored boy, went on 10 hunt ior
her son, Myers having moved ms seat 10 inc
'front.' steps, where she left him. Mrs. Truwitt
went from the house: through the apple or
chard. by her husbands grave, straight
through The woods TO :he bars OF the fence be-
tween her field and the Palmer place. mere
She found her son, lying on the ground, bare
Nv able to speak. He asked for 4 drink OF wa
ter. Mrs. Truwitt sent the boy down 10 Geo.
Nelson's house for a quilt and Il pillow 70 lay
with grief. tb said, Mother, don't have
amy more fuss about me than posu9ie. !
want YOU all to pray for me-" II was about Il
half mile TO Nelson's house, ana before the
hoy returned Truwitt wGS dead. The alarm
was then raised and numbers OF people white
and black repaired to the spot. He lay ut the
bars from midday until nearly, night, when
he was removed to his mother mouse. Wheh
Mis-. ruWlIl kdRC liz tih"i "a ehe$S 49,
dead. Myers who had pretended 10 be drunk
got sober, and going back by his own house,
got his son and with him tried 10 make MS
escape, Myers returned to his home on Mon
day night, where he was arrested by. Corley,
acting upder authority from Judge Hussey.
Robert Myers, was not caught, and up to last
accouuts. had not been heard FROM. After his
arrest Myers was taken TO Mrs. TruwittS
where he was kept under guard during the
niget. Anumber of the neighbors sat up with
the corpse. The sentimento OF the community
is very much against Myers, and although
some threats were made, better counsels pre-
vailed.
other sources, that
AN |
WINS held over the body about ten O'Clock Mon
day by Trial Justice kcllar acting rs Coroner.
The fury OF inquest was impanelied as fol!ows:
Michael McGrath, Foreman Do: Wardlaw,
J.B. Palmer, James Palmer. w. w. Murphy.
Heory McGrlth, John Gray, c. L. Corley, Jas.
McOueens, W. II, Britt, Thomas Darby, John
Evans. The verdict Of the jury was that the
deceased came to his death by the knife in
the hands Of Robert Myers and that Henry
Myers was accessory TO the killing. Six VIII
nesses we're examined by the jury every one
of whom told the same story. DR.. W. n,
Link made the post mortem examination ana
gave 1t as his opinion that death was caused
Sy the stabs In the shoulder. The knife sever
ed an artery and death resulted from hem-
morrhage.
The Myerses were brought to town yester-
day and lodged In Jail. Both father and son
seem to be very unconcerned about the arrest
They were In charge of three consta6ies ana
were committed by Trial Justice kellar.