The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-03-03
Another Murder in Abbeyiilc.

anu oioodshed-a crime for which the
history and traditions OF country so 70.
NOUS in the past for law and order. fur.
| nish no parallel. It seems from The
testimony taken at the Coroner's inquest
that on the night of Friday, the 18th in
slant, some negroes undertook to have
candy-pnlling at the house of Sarah
Martin, on the the plantation In the Dos.
session of Mr.. Stark Martin, that owing
to the presence of Mr.. William Bee Mar.
tin that intention was abandoned; that
Mr.. Martin the enmc night forced open
the door of Caroline Farrow's house.
while sho was dressing, that she took
flight from the house in the darkness and
secreted herself for time; that she
afterwards went to the house Of Cornell.
ius Matthews; that in about n half or
three.quarters Of en- hour rom that time
the muzzle OF gun was seen projecting
through crack between tho logs of tho
house in which she had taken refuge !:
that voice from heohtsidv, believed 10
be that of Mr.. William Bee Martin, said !;
Take care, I've got you now" At that
instant the gun fred, and the whole load
OF shot was lodged in the hip of Caroline
Farrow, who was standing perhaps four
or five feet from the muzzle of the gun
when il was discharged She fell upon
the floor on her face. There was com.
molten about the house, not unnatural to
the occurrence Of such an event; one of
the men went into tho yard; the figure
of man supposed to be that Of Mr. vii.
liam Bee Martin, was seen to mount a
horse, which he rode away rapidly.
The evidence at the Ccroners inquest
was solely in behalf Of the State. The
Coroner does not undertake to investigate
the merits of crime, and hence no evil
dencc was taken in the interest of the nc.
eused. In the absence of any testimony,
we thought it we'll to offer his brother an
opportunity to say word in his behalf.
In reply, Mr.. j Campbei, Martin, protes.
ted that his brother was innocent, that
he waa at his house, in bed and asleep
at the hour, when the shooting was done.
1t is not our province to pronounce
Judgment as to whether either the evil
dence before the jury or the statement of
Mr. Martin are true or untrue. We give
then, publicity for what they are worth,
and will allow the reader to form his con.
clusipn as TO the guilt or innocence of
the accused. About one fact, however,
we think there can be nc a0;i55t-tiiat !.
most foul and base deed has been COM
mitted. The heart shrinks from the con.
temptation of the killing of any human
being in the manner by which the life
of Caroline Farrow was taken, and the
quiet, inoiiensive citizen must feel to
great degree the doubt as to his personal
safety In country where such crimes
occur. The public are familiar with
many ofthe facts concerning the various
crimes which have blackened the history
of Abbeville county within the lat few
years, but we look in "ain for one OF
greater atrocity, one moro likely to give
our people a feeling of insecurity, even
while around their own fresides.
The muzzIe ofan unfriendly shot gun
peering through the cracks of ones house
is not Of the nerve-quieting order, and
although the Governor of the State has
seen fit, in his wisdom, TO pass unnoticed,
the crime ut Maddox's Mill, where Mr..
,WE1. Maddox was called to his door last
November in the night time and murder
ed, it is TO be hoped that he will not be
slcw to see that the detectives and State
officers shall do their whole duty in this
matter. Coroner J. A. Shilito 80 far, has
discharged his duty fully, and he informs
us that he will o-day comply with the re.
requirements Of the law, and send TO the
luhcU IuC
quest. If the Governor will let people
who may be contemplating cold blooded
murder know that the power of the State
would be brought against them 1t Is fair to
presume that crimes of this kind will be
fewer. In no county have we had a
greater number of cold blooded murders
chan in Abbeville. The Harmons, the
Franklins, William Maddox, and now
Caroline Farrow--all murdered in cold
blood, while in their own houses.
For years the juries of Abbeville have
been exceedingly lenient towards persons
charged with crimes against the person,
and we are now reaping the evils of that
sickly sentimentality which shrinks from
meeting out a just punishment for crime.
forbearance of our people will not go I?
Is there not time when they will assert
that crime shall top?-A6beriHe Press
and Banner.