The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-08-19
A Brutal Murder.

Mr.. D. M. Harrell, quiet and inof-
fensive citizen and merchant Of Marion S.
c., was most brutally murdered on Mon
day last about dark while on the way
home from his store. The weapon used,
as has been ascertained, was a heavy
sharp instrument, (either an axe or a
hatchet), with which the top of Mr.. Har-
brain being exposed, while another
horrible cash was made just below his
right eye. When found Mr.. Harrell was
still breathing aud weltering in his blood.
Physicians were summoned who did all
in their power to save him, but soon
after he was conveyed to his residence he
breathcd his last in the presence of his
wife and seven small children. Mean
while, the Sheriff, Trial Justice Evans,
and many eager citizens were busy seek
ing trace of the murderer, the crime
being at first shrouded in q horrible and
seemingly impenetrable mystery. Ada
line Goddard, colored woman, told the
officers that she had seen the assault,
heard the blows, and Mr.. HarrelPs last
agonized and piteous cry, and seen the
murderer whom she did not recognize
turn the street corner and run down by
the Presbyterian Church. Her descrip-
ton of the fleeing person answered to the
description of Ben. W. James, negro
school-tcacher, and this, coupled with
the fact that Ben very shortly after the
killing approached Deputy Sheriff Wall
at his residence from the back way and
informed him of the killing, led tt Ben's
being suspected and arrested. The nc.
count of himself given by Ben in answer
to questions asked by Maj. J. M. John
son, who conducted the examination by
the Shcriff's request, strengthened the
suspicion against him, and he was placed
in Jail. The next morning shoe tracks
were discovered in Mr.. Wallis cotton
field leading from the Presbyterian
Church to Wallis kitchen. These tracks
were found to tally precisely with the
shoes worn by the prisoner. Later in
the day blood was found upon q coat
worn by him, and carpet.bag with let
ters written in his name was found in q
suspicious place. Other evidence
strengthening the presumption of guilt
has been adduced before the coroner's
inquest, which was convened by Trial
Justice Evans on Tuesday morning
Maion Merchant and Farmer.
Two More Arrests.
MARION, August IL.
Sufficient information was obtained
las: night to justify the arrest of Richard
and Lewis James rs accomplices with
their brother Ben James in the murder
of Mr.. D. NJ. Harrell. No direct or
strong circumstantial proof was brought
out to-day before the coroners inquest,
although it is believed that all three
planned and carried out the murder. 1t
will be at least another week before the
inquest will be concluded, as the invcsti
CATION is thorough and exhaustive, it
being determined to sift the affair to the
bottom and ascertain the motive for the
crime, which yet remains a mystery
The officers of the law are vigilant in
their efforts to ferret out every possible
clue that may lead to the conviction of
the proper parties. The evidence
against Ben James, the one first arrested,
leaves no doubt as to his guilt. 1t is
believed that one of the brothers will
turn States evidence and reveal the
secrets of the mysterious murder.