The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-12-23
A CRUEL AND FOUL MURDER.
One of Our Oldest and Best Citizens
Slain in Cold Blood Without Cause.
The Assassination of Mr.. David simmons
by Negro Named Granville Harrell.

by Negro Named Granville HarrelI.
The community was shocked Thursday
morning by report that Mr.. David SIM
mons, residing near Jackson, had been touliy
and brutality murdered by negro man "a
+ his employment named Granville Harreil.
/ There had been scarcely an unpleasant word
+ spoken by Mr.. Simmons to the negro, and
+ he was totally unconscious that he harboreo
f a reyengeful feeling towards him. WINE
/ his back was turned towards the negro, the
/ latter struck him deadly blow on the head
with an ak, and repeated it while he was
down. The skull was crushed at each blow
I After committing the deed, the negro went
/ to the house and told the daughter of Mr.
Simmons 1.-THE mother being absent) what ne
+ had done, and when reproached by Inc
grief stricken daughter with tears and
lamentation for killing her father, the tiend
became furious and lifted his ak to strike
/ her, but fortunately it was seized by his
wife just in time to save her life. when
arrested the murderer confessed, and boosted
/ of what he had done, in language the
most horrible and profane.
The following was the verdict of the jury
of inquest:
! We the jury, empanneled to sit on inquest
rover the body of David Simmons, Sr., ma,
/ after full and careful examination, by the
/ testimony submitted to US, that he came to
/ his death by means of blows from an AK IN
i the hands of Granville Harrell, and we
/ believe that the said Granville Harrel Is
guilty of premeditated murder.
J. W. LESTER, Foreman,
H ID. LESTER,
T. J. HARDY,
A. G.. GAYLE,
G. NJ. DENHAM,
L. y. COLLINS,
J. D. MoNAHAN, j. L.
And Acting Coroner.
THE MURDERER.
Apprehending that the Indignation of the
community would overlap restraint,
and lynch the assassin, Sheriff Morrison
took the precaution to remove him early
Thursday night from the Jail here to the
one at Raymond. We learn that on Satur-
dav night a numerous body of persons,
whose names to this writer are unknown,
went to the Raymond Jail, overpowered the
taller, seized the murderer and hung him.
He repeated his confession, and at the same
time made some statements duplicating
other parties which for prudential consid-
erations we will not print
MR.. DAVID SIMMONS
the victim of this atrocious crime, was born
in Germany on the oath of April 1924. In
his youth he immigrated to Jackson, where
he has lived ever since. In 1916 he married
Miss Denham, who, together with & family
of sons and daughters, have survived him.
There never lived more upright, hOnora-
BILE man than David Simmons. He was
kind to his family and just to everybody.
He never gave offence, and would suffer
wrong rather than engage in aquarrel. He
was public-spirited, and loved to do chart
table deeds. Fifteen orphan children were
cared for and raised by him and his estima-
I BILE wife. Without a moments warning, he
was deprived of his life on earth, but there
is reason to hope that he has entered upon
life of immortal bliss beyond the grave.
Mr. Simmons was buried with the honors
which such a life as he had lived deserved.
The Fire Department and an immense con-
course of citizens followed his remains to
the grave.