The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-19
A MURDER CLEARED UP.
Vince Bellingcr Tells Why He Killed
jeff l1rutOn.

The following letter was written by
Vincent Bcllingcr to Il friend in Barn
well 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
nc kindness when needed 1t. | have
injured mysclfby standing bymy friends,
and yet, all who were once my friends
in Barnwcll, have condemned me with
out 4 hearing.
My object IN writing this letter to
you is TO put mYsclfm the proper light
about shooting the negro near Grahams.
The following statement is 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. 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 Bcllinyer."
While in OrangeburS County, | stop
ped near Cannon's Bridge. hitchcd my
horse, and when l woke up he was gone.
met negro who told me that Curtis
Faust had taken up q horse that answer
ell to the description of mine. went
to Il negro and offered him five dollars
to take me to Fausts. The negro sent
his SON. jeff Bruton Ga big burly negro
about ~ years olD with me. The nc
rro got quart Of whiskcy in Grahams;
on the way he drank freely, | drank
nothng.) this is the hardest part OF my
tale to believe. When within one mile
Of C.. G.. FausiS. and al 4 church the
negro rot out of the wagon to get some
water at Il well. While at the we'll, he
asked nc what would give him for the
horse: he was drinking: told him thirty
dollars $500: counted out the money
and gave it to him. took out my
Observation-Disclosures: wrote bill OF sale
and asked hlm to 5 ign lit was bright
moonlight night; SO bright that | could
write without any difficulty. TO my
astonishmcnt the negro said, damn rOn. !
have cot your money and will give you
no bill OF sale. lie then walked up to
me aud put his hand on my shoulder
his general manner showed fight; | told
hlm to give me back my money; he
closed his hand Oh my shoulder; step
ped back and shot him ut distance OF
about 10 steps. While was cooking
NV six shooter. he turned and | shot
him again. lie ran down tic road in
the direction Of several negroes who had
Just passed.
Now Billy, Twas; in this position at
nicht: shot n, manSwho r knew was
mortally Observation-Disclosures L to do
without single witness: The negro
had my money. 50 | took the horse out
OF the wagon. went or t hundred yards
on the road; told negro that 4 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 i'll order to
retain your respects, although | WILL
never sec you again, will find some
comfort in thinking that have lett Il
few who do not look on nc as Il ''mur-
dcrcr." | have never yet killed man
only III self defence, or when / thought
my lite waa in danger. If those who
condemn me would look back. they
would sec that | could have killed, and
the law :. c.. would have sustained
! me.
| went to Colorado after seeing you
and sold an old gold claim (hat |
thought worthcss) for five thousand
dollars. If could only have cotton
this money sooner, my life would have
had better coloriny i'll the future. But
as it is have joined band Of despcr-
ate men, who are lighting for liberty III
Cuba. as VIC fought in The right ofscccs-
sion; if we win all will be right, If VIC
Eul we will be shot.
| doubt if YOU can read this letter, as
! write it on the tug boat taking us out
to sea, and it is rough.
/, Plcse let the Barnwcll Sentinel copy
! the part Of my letter relative sto the
killing Of the negro.
! would have kicked back at tho news
paper reports about me but | had not
cot 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.
= CHASTITY Discovery.
PANAMA. .Jnly 3l.-Thc work o'
erecting the new theatre is progressing
satisfactorily. The building is to he oh
a 81, | 49,. NI.,;,. 'n,,,..ht thr