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

and boodshed-a crime for which the
history and traditions of country so "a
NOUS in the past for law and order, fur.
nish no parallel. 1t 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
a candy pulling at the house of Sarah
Martin, on the the plantation in the pos.
session ofMr. Stark Martin, that owing
to the presence of Mr.. William Bee Mar.
tin that intention was abandoned; that
Mr.. Martin the same night forced open
the door of Caroline Farrow's house,
while she 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 q half or
three-quarters of an hour from that time
the muzzle ofa gun was seen projecting
through a crack between the logs of the
house in which she had taken refuge !;
that voice from the.outside, believed to
be that of Mr.. William Bee Martin, said !;
"Take care, I've got you now" At that
instant the gun fired, 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 it was discharged. She fell upon
the floor on her face. There was COM
motion about the house, not unnatural to
the occurrence of such an event; one of
the men went into the yard; the figure
of man supposed to be that of Mr. Will
liam Bee Martin, was seen to mount
horse, which he rode away rapidly.
The evidence ut the Coroner's inquest
was solely in behalf of the State. The
Coroner does not undertake to investigate
the merits of crime, and hence no evi-
dence was taken in the interest ofthe ac-
cused. 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.. ] Campbell Martin, protes-
ted that his brother was innocent, that
be was 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-
clusion as to the guilt or innocence of
the accused. About one fact, however,
we think there can be no doubt-that
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, inoffensive 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 of the facts concerning the various
crimes which have blackened the history
of Abbevile county within the last few
wears, but we look in vain for one of
greater atrocity, one more likely to give
our people feeling of insecurity, even
while around their own fresides.
The muzzle 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 unnotlced,
the crime at Maddox's Mill, where MIR.
WIN. 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
slow to see that the detectives and State
officers shall do their whole duty in this
matter. Coroner ]. A. Shillito 80 far, has
discharged his duty fully, and he informs
US that he ill to-day comply with the re-
requirements of the law, and send to the
Governor the evidence taken at the in
quest. If the Governor will let people
who may be contemplating cold booded
murder know that the power Of the State
would be brought against them it is fair to
presume that crimes of this kind will be
fewer In no county have we had
greater number of cold blooded murders
than in Abbevile. 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 Abbeyille 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 just punishment for crime.
Is there not limit beyond which the
forbearance of our people will not go?
Is there not time when they will assert
that crime shall stop?-A66eriNe Press
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