Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1883-11-22
rhs Murder of Henry stiefer.

week-baGk ,>1noSt OF our readers are pref
t5 we'll acquaintsd,with the facts by this
time. Nevertheless we narrate the mat
tar in full. Henry.G. -Stieferif we mis-
take not, is native OF the Shatterfielc
section OF our county. Ee has, or once
had, a wife. He was good soldier o.
the 7th Regt., a member of Capt. j. II.
Brooks's company. He lost an arm in
the service. Fo- some years past he has
peddled cheap dry goods, tobacco, &c.
&c, through somo of our upper Town
ships, notably Dean. These goods he
lately carried in wagon drawn by two
good mules. he was in the habit oi
camping where night found him. For
some weeks past he had had in his en-
pioy-driving his wagon-a young negro
fsllow aged about twenty-one years
named Wilson Stephens. The home or
headquarters of this fellow was on the
plantation of Henry T. Wright. Esq,
| fur miles East of our town. His wife,
child and mother still live there. On
Wednesday night. the 14th instant,
Stiefer and the negro camped at He:-
longs Lumber Mill in Mobley Township
milo or s. from the residence of James
D. Watson, Esq On Thursday morning,
iefer was fund dead, with his skull
s owe in. Stephens the negro man was
missing. He had pulled OFT the dead
m ms shoes, and left his own. The
wagon and mules were unmolested.
T ial Justice Waters, of Johnston, being
summoned, held an inquest. Mr.. ). D.
Watson was foreman of the jury. Stiefef
was first cousin of Mr.. J. II. Lowrey
o: Elmwood, and TO his residence the
dad body, the wagon, mules and goods
were taken. The body was decently in
tsrred at Sleepy Greek Church. Stephens
Was arrested at Mr.. Fl. T. Wright's on
Friday by Messrs. L. A. Rodgers. and
John Buzzard, and by them brought and
lodged in our Jail. He has confessed the
deed, and says that often before he had
risen at night to do it, but his heart fail
Ell him. He smoto the sleeping man on
tho. head with one of the wagon standards.
Money was his object, but, according to
his own statement, a statement he per-
sistently adheres to, he got only 81 cents
in an old pocket book. His mother or
wife subsequently produced the pocket
book and 81 cents, and declared it was
all he gave into their possession. The
body was examined for money before
burial, but not a penny was found. 1t
now seems, from the reports of persons
who knew Stiefer's habits, that he car
ried his money in p cket on the inner
side of his drawers, and that he often
needlessly and ostentatiously exhibited
his money. There is G strong probabili-
ty, therefore, that he has been buried
with his money on his person. We hear
that he has brother. a rich maa, 10 Abb
beville County, and two sisters in Edge
field som mswhere. He was about fifty
years of age. Wilson Stephens is in our
Jail, and is, we believe, beginning to Try
the exhausted dodge of insanity. In
our opinion Messrs. Rodgers and Buz-
zard deserve reward for their prompt
and persistent pursuit of this ruthless
murderer. And indeed there ought to
be law on our statute book rewarding
the men who overtake such evil doers.
II would restrain much crime.
Our Earhest Faitn.
The ADVERTISER would not boast, for
God knows, in such cause, it considers
almost any effort feeble, bat, as proof
ofits earnest faith, and as an incentive to
our people to be up and doing, it SUBJ
scribes Fifty Dollars to, the fund lf9 fer the
about to be dragged before the Federal
Coutts, and exposed to the malice and
ingenuity of Melton and Speer. People
of Edgefeld, no not delay in this patri-
otic duty!
Of for Texas.
Jimmy and Leon Mcdaniel, sons Of
Mr.. ]. ]. Mcdaniel. left Johnston on
Monday morning to seek their fortunes
in Texas They propose to locate at or
near Fort Worth. The father, with the
rest o. the family, will follow sometime
in December. And with them will go
Mr.. R. w. Cannon and family and Mr..
J.L. Miles and family. We regret this
exodus of our good citizens, but most
heartily wish them full realization OF
their fondest hopes.-Monttor.
Meeting Street Cavalry Company.
We are glad to chronicle the fact that
the young men CT Meeting Street and its
surrounding country are getting up a
cavalry company. And we are request
ed to warn the members Of this company
to gather at Meeting Street on Saturday
afternoon next, for organization. Next
week we hope to announce the name and
officers of the new company, and many
other pleasant items in connection with
its organization. With the Edgetield
Hussars in theS South, the Edgefold Rang
ers in the West, and the new company in
the North, Edgefield may at any time
and on any occasion send forth avery
brilliant squadron OF horse.
Shooting at Ridge Spring.
Two negroes, Butler Simmons ant
sump Kernaghap, INDUCED in littl'
pistol practice at Ridge Spring on Satur
day night, the 10th. Simmons fired thre
shots. and Kernaghan attempted to fire
but his weapon refused to respond. On
| of Simmons shots took effect in ker
naghan's arm, intlicting quite a sever
wound. Simmons made his escape bu
Keruaghan was arrested. Five negroes
all implicated, we believe, in this shoot
ing scrape, were lodged in our jill o.
Tuesday the 18th.
The Edgetield Ladies at the Bau.
The State Ball in Columbia last wee
like the Fair itself-overtopped all ii
predecessors il grandeur and brilliancJ
The ladies from Edgefield present wei
Mrs. Pickens, Miss Emmie Dozier, Mis-
n Sula Abney, Miss "Tot' Brooks. Mis-
s Bennie Scurry, and Miss Martha War
5 Kernaghan. Mrs. Pickens wore blac
:, Ottoman silk with train of immen!
| length, and an elaborate tichu and Slew
i o. white point lace. Far back upon Ii
n head sat large Gainsborough hat
" black velvet trimmed with white poi
D. lace and dozen or moro splendid blaC