The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-10-07

The Abbeyille Tragedy.

The AbbeYille Tragedy.
Charles A. McClung killed T.. Penn
brook n..Monday evening about six
o'clock. The first shot entered the left
breast, passing through the heart in the
direction of the right shoulder. The
second shot entered the right temple,
ranging towards the left ear. Death
must have been instantaneous upon the
first shot. The second shot would have
been fatal.
The parties were engaged at the time
in a game of billiards, and it is presumed
that dispute arose as to the proper score
of the count. No one was present at the
time except Campbell Martin, who testi-
fies that the killing was in self-defence.
The pocket-knife Of the deceased, which
he had bought about an hour before, was
found on the floor, on the opposite side
of the table some ten feet from where he
was killed.
The deceased fell to his knees, under
the side of che table, body going forward.
with his knees drawn, his arms and hands
near his shoulders, his nose resting on
the floor. An immense quantity of blood
had run from his mouth to the floor
The prisoner and Campbell Martin in
q short time came down the billiard room
steps, the prisoner coming hurriedly
down, holding cue in one hand while
he was drawing on his coat. He imme-
diately got into his buggy, which was
standing before the door, and tried to
drive of. A bystander, who had heard
the shots, and saw his hurried move.
ments, caught the mule by the bride,
when McClung found it impossible to
get away in his vehicle. Failing in this,
he instantly jumped out, becoming en-.
tangled in the lines of the harness, he
fell full length on the ground. Recov-
ering himself he ran over the vacant lot
between Jones & Miller's store and Nor
wood Brothers store, passing near the
public scales and down through the new
stable, being closely followed by pursu-
ing crowd. When he came to the street
he met others, and Immediately surren-
dered, gave up his pistol, and asked mar
shal Shillito to protect him from violence.
He was at once taken to Jail and locked
up, where he now is.
While he was being taken to Jail, the
room in which Gufin had been killed was
crowded with curious people of every de-.
scription, each one anxious to get sight
of the dead man. In O little while near.
ly all whose curiosity had drawn them
thithcr were satisfied and walked away,
imparting to others the fact that Guffin
was really dead. In little while after
the killing Guffin's body was straightened
out and laid on his back, where it re.
mained until after viewed by the Coroner
and jury.
As soon as it was known on the streets
that Guffin was dead, messengers were
dispatched to his sister and little children
on the farm, four miles distant, and to
Mrs. L. L. Guffin, who lives some three
quarters of mile from the public square
on the Anderson road. His sister and
his children came at once in wagon to
the residence of Mrs. L. L. Guffin, aud
the scene of grief and sorrow in that
family beggars description.
About sun down the room was locked
up and remained closed until nine
o'clock, when Coroner S. W. Cochran
arrived. Going into the room and light
ing the lamps he was "''-"! by great
thTong, who crowded every available
inch. The jury we're empanelled with J.:
M. Kirby foreman. DR.. F. F. Gary and
DR.. E. q. Mcbride made the examiua-
ton.
When the medical examination was
concluded the jury was adjourned until
nine o'clock Tuesday morning, and the
Coroner surrendered the body to the
friends of the deceased for interment.
The body was dressed for the grave,
placed upon litter, and by eleven
o'clock it arrived at the home of his sis.
ter-in.law, Mrs. L. L. Guffin, who lives
at the Trowbridge house, owned by E..
G. Graydon, Esq., whittier the children
of the deceased, his sisters and other rel
atives had assembled.
Tuesday afternoon Mr.. Sign, the viii
lage undertaken, took charge of the body,
taking it to the family burying ground
on the old homestead, four miles West of
Abbeville, where the Gufins have lived
for hundred years. A goodly number
OF persons from the village were present
at the funeral, and from the country a
great many came to the burying. Rev.
Mr.. Stafford, of the Methodist Church at
this place, read the funeral service of that
denomination, and the Rev. James l..
Martin, pastor of the Presbyterian
Church at Abbeville, made an impressive
prayer. The scene at the grave of this
unfortunate man was sad one indeed,
and we imagine that no heart there was
untouched by the peculiarly sad ending
of checkcred, eventful and misguided
life. He leaves several small children in
a destitute condition. Mrs. Guffin died
two or three years ago, and their children
are orphans indeed.
Mr.. Gufin joined the Republican party
in 1868, and was elected to the Legisla-
ture for one term. In 1870 he was elect
ed County Commissioner on the same
ticket, and in 1872 he was elected Sheriff,
which office he held until the era Of
Hampton and Home Rule. In 1876 he
moved from town back to the old home
stead, where be has worked on the farm,
without hope of occupying any position
of public honor or trust. When he va
Gated the Office of Sheriff ne believe that
he settled every official demand against
him.
On Monday night there was much feel
ing in reference to the killing. A ma
iority of our white citizens condemning
the act in strong terms, although few
thought McClung was justifable. The
negroes to man thought it wilful muir
der, and rumors of lynching were in the
air. The Sheriff called on our citizens
for a guard, when quite number re.
paired to the Jail and kept watch all
night. Last night the guard was kept
up. For our own part we believe that no
danger of violence has existed at any
time.
The prisoner is native of Knoxville,
TonnosSeo Hn settled in Abbeyillc soon