Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-04-06
The Recent Tragedy at Blackshear.

AhO AAOOOhO AAaSOuJ at 0AoOh SHchAs
We published some days ago an account
received by a special telegram of the killing
by Capt. J. NJ. Lee of Mr. A. H. Long in
Blackshear. The Blackshear Neaos has pub
lished the full details of the unfortunate
affair, which, at the request of the friends
of both parties, we reproduce. It is as fol-
lows:
"Death is frightful in its mildest form;
but when It comes upon us in the midst of
life,' without the rattle of an arrow or the
rnstle of a wing, we can gather a new mean
ing from the couplet which says,
$50 God it is a fearful sight
To see human soul take flight
"On last Wednesday morning our usually
quiet town was thrown into a furore OF ex-
element by the startling announcement that
Captain j. M Lee and Mr.. a. H. Long had
become involved in a difficulty about some
business matter, aud that in the affray
which followed the former had instantly
killed the latter by stabbing him in the
breast with a pair OF sheep shears, which
he had been using a moment before In
shearing a mule. The two men were next
door neighbors, and the sad occurrence took
place in a lot between the two dwelling
houses at about seven o'clock in the morn
ing. The body of the dead man was covered
with a sheet, and for several hours lay
in the lot where 1t fell. awaiting the
arrival of the Coroner. In a very short
time an immense throng of people, both
white and black, had gathered at the scene
of the tragedy, and they remained until the
usual examination Of the body had been
made, and 1t had been removed to the
house. In fact, a stream OF people were
going to and coming fr0m the residence OF
the deceased during the entire day. As
soon as Captain Lee discovered that he had
killed Mr. Long he sent for the Sheriff, Mr..
E. z. Byrd, and asked to be arrested, SAYING
that he had done it in self-defense and was
willing to stand his trial. As to what the
legal definition OF the killing will be when
the case is tried in the Superior Court
whether murder, manslaughter or self
defense-we have not the slightest idea.
And we shall certainly not be indiscreet
enough to express an opinion upon a matter
so sad and terrible while it is still
undergoing legal investigation, and
while the excitement is so intense
and the feeling so high between the
friends of the two men. Captain Lee claims
that be committed the act IN self-defense,
and his lawyers stoutly affirm they will be
able to prove IT, while the friends Of the de-
ceased maintain exactly the contrary. Be
that as 1t may, let us await the develop
ments OF the future, and let every man who
loves the public welfare, and who values
the good name Of the community, do his
best by his influence to aid the law in taking
its course. For, knowing the courts Of this
country as we do, we feel no hesitaneY in
predicting that justice, which walks with a
leaden heel but strikes with an iron hand,'
and under whose @gis the ragged and the
rich huddle for protection together, will
sift this case to the bottom, and that when
the verdict is rendered all good men will
say It is right
"Both men we're sober and industrious, and
both stood among the first in the commu-
nifty. Both are well connected, and both
have host Of friends. But this only adds
another tinge Of sadness to the calamity.
"Both families have our profoundest sym
pathy. The scene of the tragedy an hour
after it occurred was the saddest we ever
witnessed. As we stood there that beautiful
morning, as all nature was blithe and smiling
with the vitality of returning spring, we
saw two households, side by side, whose in
mates an hour before had been cheerful and
happy, but now out of each one there came
sGks and walls of sorrow that would have
softened heart of flint. And it was hard
to tell upon which family the blow had
fallen most heavily. Let us hope that TIC
murky and rayless shadow which has set
tied like pail upon these two homes may
be gradually lifted as time flies over them
with its healing wings, and that by and by
the gladstone sunshine which was quenehed
so suddenly in both may come back to stav
forever.
"This calamity, which is public as well as
private affliction, should teach us anew
that he who rules his own spirit Is greater
than he who takes city; and it should warn
us all to remember that amid the hustle and
business Of life We are hurrying on to the
cemetery and the judgment day and the
world to come"