The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-19
A MURDER CLEARED UP.
Vince Bellingcr Tells Why He Killed
JEFF DrutOn.


The following letter was written by
Vincent Bcllingcr to friend in Barn
we'll from Norfolk, Va, under date OF
July 30th, 1886:
FRIEND BILLY:--Finding that the
United States has gone back Oh me,"
leave for Cuba to-day. leave my
nativa land forever. You have shown
me kindness when I needed 1t. have
injured myself by standing by my friends,
and yet, all who were once my friends
in Barnwell, have condemned me with
out hearing.
My object In writing this letter to
you is 10 put myselfln III the proper light
about shooting the negro near Grahams.
The following statements correct. l
do not make this statement expecting it
to have any weight at my trial, for l
will never have one. will never be
taken alive. I do not fear death, and
my only motive in leaving South Caro-
lima, was to avoid killing those who
might attempt to arrest me.
But to come to what was headed in
the Charleston newspapers, "A foul
murder by Bcllinger."
While in Orangeburg County, I stop
ped near Cannon's Bridge. hitched my
horse, and when l woke up he was gone,
I met negro who told me that Curtis
Faust had taken up q horse that answer
ed to the description Of mine. went
to negro and offered him five dollars
to take me to Fausts. The negro sent
his son. jeff Bruton "a big burly negro
about 20 years o!D with me. The ne
gro got quart of whiskcy in Grahams;
on the way he drank freely, | drank
nothing this is the hardest part OF my
tale to believe. When within one mile
of C.. {. Fausts. and at 4 church the
negro rot out of the wagon to get some
water at a we'll. While at the well, he
asked me what l would give him for the
horse; he was drinking: 1 told him thirty
dollars $500; counted out the money
and gave it to him. L took out my
Observation-Disclosures; wrote bill of sale
and asked hlm to sign it-itw was a bright
moonlight night; SO bright that | could
write without any difficulty. TO my
astOnishmcnt the negro said, damn Won. L
have got your money and will give you
no bill OF sale. lie then walked up to
me and put his hand on my shoulder :;
his general manner showed fight; l told
hlm to give me back my money; he
closed his hand on my shoulder; step
ned back and shot him at a distance Of
about 10 steps. While was cooking
my six shooter, he turned and l shot
him again. lie ran down the road in
the direction of several negroes who had
just passed.
Now Billy, I'was;in this position at
night. shot a, manSWho T knew was
m5rtally wounded. Ehatswas, T do
without single witness? The negro
had my money, 50 l took the horse out
of the wagon, went 8 or t Hundred yards
on the road;t told negro that man was
badly hurt at the church and wanted his
saddle to 90 after the doctor. went
from there TO where | sold the horse,
and took the train to Augusta.
Now Billy, I tell you this in order to
retain your respects, although | will
never see you again, will find some
comfort in thinking that have left q
few who do not look on me as 4 "mur-
lercr." | have never yet killed q man
only Ill self defence, or when | thought
nv lite waa in danger. If those who
condemn me would look back, they
would sec that could have killed, and
tho law OFFS, G., would have sustained
me.
went to Colorado after seeing you
and sold an old gold claim (that |
thought worthlcss) for five thousand
dollars. If | could only have cotton
this money sooner, my life would have
had a better coloring in the future. But
as it is l have joined a band OF desper-
ate men, who are fighting for liberty IN
Cuba. rs VIC fought i'll the right of scces-
sion; if we win all will be right, If VIC
Eall we will be shot.
L doubt if you can read this letter, as
| write it on the tug boat taking us out
to sea, and it is rough.
Plesc let the Barnwcll Sentinel copy
the part of MY letter relative sto the
killing Of the negro.
would have kicked back at the news
paper reports about me but L had not
got out Of the picket line.
Billy, If you ever need a friend, day
or night, who Is willing to put up his lltc
for YOU. call for VINCE BELLINGEE.
! y CHASTITY Discovery.
PANAMA. Jnly 3l.--Thc work o
erecting the new theatre is progressing
satisfactorily. The building is to be on
the site Of the Los Monias Convent. the
outer walls of which are very massive
1 I.,, .,I,,,.l;,,, rI'ha ,r,,.i