The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-04-03
FIRST MURDER In SUMMIT.
CALICO WILLIAMS KILLED BY HIS
WIFE AND HER PARAMOUR,
ROBINSON.
Trial and Execution of the Murderers.
"REMINISCENCES OF 1886.

There are certain strange and I'M
accountable circumstances that hap
pen, and none more 50 than magnetic
influence, or something that the ken
of man has not discovered, nor arrived
at the cause. Why one person can
have direct control over the action of
Others, governing as it were the emo
tions and feelings of those who come
in direct contact with them. An illus
tratiOn of this power is shown in an
incident strange, yet true, that occur
red in the ancient town of Holmes
vile, Pike county, a number of years
ago. Although the large collection
of people congregated there a quarter
of century, the majority Of whom,
by the course Of nature, have crossed
the dark river and the occurrence
which we are about to relate, has
nearly passed out of mind; yet there
are few who still linger and remain,
who will well remember the facts.
The town of summit, at that period
had just been laid out in squares,
lots streets, etc. Located as it was
on the highest portion of the Jackson
Railroad APO feet above the level of
the sea, the knowing ones predicted it
was to become great city of huge
proportions. In anticipation, and be-
fore the the date of the occurrence of
which | am about to write, some en- /.
terprising parties had located and .
commenced business, among whom
were Judge Jewell, Mr.. Wilson,
Hyman, and a few others. Others .
came and located corner lots and pur
chased believing that soon the iron
horse would make the pine woods
resOund and echo to his snort.
Among the early settlers was a ge-
MUS yclept Calico Williams, so named
from having one side Of his face mark
ed by nature with the gayest colors of
that fabric. His family consisted of
himself, his wife, and a cosmopolitan,
by the name of Robinson. Their
early history was unknown, by even
the Oldest inhabitants. Their shanty
was the resort, principally, of class
of their ilk, and sometimes of those
who, when dry, could have their thirst
assauged by the fire water, clandes- ,
timely dealt out by them and for a +
new town they were not considered
the most reputable. Calico would ,
come and go, be present and absent +
any comment, and his CO. !
Iaborer, Robinson, was such charac- q
ter as would not attract any attention, q
rs he rarely mixed with the people. :
During the the spring of '56, they eX- q
sted and lived in their monotonous +
way, and attracted but little attention.
At last Calico was missing and was ?
not seen for a longer time than usual, Y
lut without much comment. :
Early one morning during spring q
ime, Capt Thomas, who was building f
he first hotel, took a walk but short S
listance up the bank of the railroad Ii
ut. His attention was attracted by fl
N unusual number of huZZards con- n
Yegated at one place. On his arrival
i the spot, he found n brush pile of r,
line limbs and tops, and underneath, ri
ae ground appeared to have been n
disturbed or loosened and, upon closer @,
he discovered a human fo
and protruding and pointing up =,
ards, an index as it was TO mark the u,
lace where a body had been inferred. at
lind that Calico had been missing In
niger time than usual, the close prOX- n,
nifty to his shanty, as well as the 90
of the inmates, led Capt.
homas to the conclusion that there %,
ad been foul play. He Immediately Y,
ithout creating any suspicion on the tb
Iinds of the inmates of the shanty, Sc
rocured the assistance of few neigh nj
lrs, and with the advice of Judge al
/
ers of Summit, together with Major w
reen, one of the engineer corps of al
le road, and Others, commenced an ri,
vestigation. Securing Robinson, or m
.ther placing him and Mrs. Wi liams tn
lder strict surveillance although fir,
obinson appeared from his conduct tn
I'd language to be innocent. The fr,
Droner, residing at Holmesvile, Capt. tn
H. NIiskell, after some delay, ar cr
we'd, empaneled a COroner's Jury be
Dm the neighbOrs i'm the vicinity fu
ey disinterred the body, recognized
e gbastly corpse as Calico Williams, ca
ey sifted all the testimony and cir in
Imstances-all Of which was circum- ia