Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-19
TURNER CHEATS THE LAW
HE sTRANGLEs HIMSELF WITH
AHANDKERCHIEF IN A CELL.

His OyeriOyed Mother Throws Herself
on His BOdy-The Suicide Accom-
plished After Securing an Hour for
''Private Preparation for the Execu-
tiOn'-The Fatal Shot Which Cost Him
His Life.
GRANVILLE, GA, April 1S,-Pleasant
NJ. Turner, more Familiarity known as
Tobe Turner, OF Meriwether county. who
was to have been hung at GreenviIIe to-
day for the murder of John +. Shuttles,
cheated the gallows of its victim and dis
appointed the crowd gathered for the pur-
pose of witnessing his execution. by
strangling himself about an hour before
the time appointed for the hanging. Tur-
ner reached Granville yesterday after
noon heavily irOned and in the custody of
Sheriff Moffitt and posse. Immediately
upon arrival conveyances were found in
readiness to convey the party to Green
vile. They reached this point without
any accident or incident worthy of men,
tion happening on the route.
THE LAST NIGHT ON EARTH.
The doomed man was placed in Jail
about dark. Here he remained all night
under heavy guard. During the night
Turner prayed and slept at intervals. He
refused to eat anything this morning, but
drank glass of wine. His clothing was
entirely changed so that no poison might
be concealed about him, but he was
allowed tOkeep small silk handkerchief
He told the Sheriff that he had tried several
times to commit suicide, but was sorry, as
he loved Jesus, and would 90 to heaven.
HIS relatives were allowed to visit him.
About an hour before the time appointed
for the execution the attending minister
and Sheriff Moffitt, who were in the cell
with Turner, were asked to leave the cell
for few moments, Turner saying to these
officials that he wanted to be by himself
so that he could pray and ask God for for
giveness for the crime that he had COM
mitted. He acknowledged having killed
Shuttles, and admitted that he had twice
attempted to commit suicide. He regret
ted this, and promised if allowed to be
alone for few moments that he would be
ready when the hour for his execution
arrived, and would go to the gallows and
be executed without further trouble.
LEFT TO DIE BY HIS OWN HAND.
The Sheriff and minister granted the
request and left the cell. Soon after they
had gone Turner took his silk handker-
chief, and after twisting it encircled it
about his neck. He then commenced
off. Holding on the instrument that was
robbing him of his life he threw himself
on his bed and pulled a blanket over his
head. In this position he died holding on
to the twisted handkerchief, thereby fore
ing the life from his body. When found
by the returning Sheriff and a friend or
two, he was dead. Efforts were made to
restore circulation without success.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE CROWD.
When these facts were communicated
to those on the outside of the building
great excitement and disorder prevailed
The hanging was to have been in public,
and about the newly erected gallows
several thousand people had gathered to
witness the execution. The remains were
turned over to relatives for burial The
father, mother and wife of Turner were
oyeIjoyed at learning that Turner had
killed himself, as it was known by them
that he preferred death i'm any way other
than on the gallows.
His mother fell across his body eX-
claiming: ''Haye you really gone to
Jesus. They have not had a chance TO
put rope around that dear neck. You
have beat them at last She had to bere-
moved from the body by force.
TURNER'S CRIME.
Turner and Shuttles for many years
had been friends and associates. A short
time before the killing they had a diff
Guilty, and whenever either of them met
tnis matter was referred to. particularly if
they were drinking, which was often the
case. On the morning of June 6, 1881,
Turner came to town, went into the
store of Frank Banning and asked him
If he had any more OfthOse SIT shOtguns
to sell, that he had $50
note to pay for one. Banning replied that
he had none. Turner took seat in the
store, and in a short time Shuttles stepped
upon the sidewalk in front and looked in.
Turner remarked:
''There is the id rascal now. He has
come to kill me.''
With this he stepped towards where a
pistol was lying. Banning intercepted
him, putting the pistol in his pocket, and
caught hold of Turner and lead him to the
back door and put him out.
BENT ON MURDER.
On the way Turner asked him to loan
him the pistol, which Banning refused to
40. Turner went into the back door of
WinslOw's store near by crying!
"Shuttles wants to kill me-"
when asked what was the matter, he
replied: ''Shuttles wants to kill me-" and
turning around, saw ShuttIes coming. and
exclaimed: "There he is now" Shuttles.
somewhat under the influence of liquor,
came up to the rear door with pistol, in
company with a negro boy, who was beg
glng him to 90 home to dinner, but with
out avail. Turner went out Of another
door and walked across the street.
A SERIES OF QUARRELs.
Not long afterwards Turner was sitting
In front of Baldwin's store, on the op-
posite side of the square, when Shuttles
came up and said: "YOu have made a
ID fool of yourself"
Turner replied: "What more can do.
Mr.. Shuttles, than | have already done.
have been running from you all day. |
could have killed you several times and
had the law on my side"
Shuttles answered: E'You must be a
Id fool. Shut up your knife and 90 with
me down to my store and let's talk the
matter Over.''
Turner handed him his knife, saying:
You shut it up. l won't go with you
down there. You just want to get me
into your house to kill me-"
ADISTRUSTFUL RECONCILIATION.
Finally Turner agreed to 90 with him
provided he would give his pistol to Bald
win, which he did, and both walked off
together, apparently friendly. They met
several times during the day, and at
times appeared to be amiable and at 9TH
ers hostile. During the afternoon Shut
ties returned to Baldwin's and got his pis-
tol. Turner started off home, but re-
turned. Shuttles started out riding in an
opposite direction, but fell out of the bug
gy and soon returned.
SHOT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING.
Later on Turner was standing by the
counter in Hart Freeman's grocery. Shut
ties walked along the sidewalk towards
the grocery, with his hands hanging bv
his side and head thrown forward with
his eyes cast to the ground, but few
feet in front. He entered the grocery and
walked towards the rear end, and when
about the centre Of the room Turner. who
was then behind him, raised his pistol
with both hands and sent bullet through
his body. He fell senseIess to the floor
and died in short while. Turner rushed
out eXcitedly, eXclaiming: Only God, l
can't stand everythingl | did il to save