New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-12
A POLITICAL ASSASSINATION.
PARTICULARS OF THE MURDER OF MAJOR BLAIR AT
CAMDEN. s. c.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

CAMDEN, >. Z.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, July 11.-Postmaster Taft, OF
Charleston S. c., VINO arrived in Washington yes
terlay, nfOrmeda TRIBUNE correspondent that from
all the information he had been able to obtain
the killing Of Major Blair at Camden. 5. c.. last
Tuesday by Halle was deliberate political assas-
sInatiOn. He said that Halle, the murderer, went
into town that morning armed with repeating
| lilo and a revolver which he deposited in the
| County Treasures Office, and waited for his VIC
tim, who was unarmed. General Taft also said
Haile's friends immediately took possession OF
Blair's body and had post-mOrtem examination
made. They took and kept all the papers and other
property that were Balrs body and have refused
to give anything up to his daughter. Halle was
taken before a IN ,ge who is relative OF his aud
was admitted to bail in the patry sum of 50 900.
The law OF South Carolina requires that under such
circumstances the solicitor of the court shall be
present to represent the people, but in this case he
was not even asked to be present, as | am In
formed"
The accounts of the assassination Published in the
Bourbon newspapers of South Carolina and tele-
graphed to Northern journals, represent Blair as the
| aggressor and Halle as acting in seii-defence. Ac-
corilng to a letter received by Representative
Mackey from an intelligent and trustworthy citi-
zen of Camden, who wrote on the day OF the muir
der Blair was shot i'll the back as he was walking
away from the assassin. The following is an ex-
tract from the letter mentioned Before this
letter reaches you you will have heard of the as
| sassination of Major L. w. K. Blair, which hap
| pcneJ about 10 4. III. to-day July A.. MAJOR
Blair is the leader of the Peoples Rights party IN
| this county. and as you know. has been strong
opponent of the regular Democratic party, and has
done valuable service for the Republicans, and was
United States Supervisor of Registration to the time
of his death. 1he registration closed last Friday,
June 30 and he has not had time to revise his
list and report to the Chief Supervisor SO the work
must be completed by another. But lament his
death because of bis devoedness to right principles
and his true manhood. They have murdered man.
trae and brare-one who, like Horatius, would
stand alone in opposition to the enemy rather than
let trail the cause OF justice and right. But you
would like to know the circumstances A mass
meeting was called to-day by the Peoples Rights
! PARTY BLAIR, Colonel Cash and fIshburne ana
others were to speak. Blair on his way to and
| about 100 feet from the Post Oihce, when he was
accosted by Halle, turned 10 answer him, ana AS
he started oil fired upon three times by Hale
two balls taking effect one above the shoulder IN
| the back on one side the other little below me
| shoulder passing through the lung. Instant DEAN
J followed. 49, -,
| lie was shot because of his politics. though they
will try to make II appear IN sell defence " aeh
| the deceased man was going from his agrees OK.
which is plainly SHOWN by his blair being shot IN
| Can anything lie done in that case-if 1t be proved
| that it was only his politics We are insecure.
life is Mt discount and danger underlies all on.
| movements What do you think best for us TO 90 Y