The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-02
\ Horrible Murder.

Intelligence was received here Oh
Saturday Of shocking murder hich
had been committed at Dawkins, on
the Spartanburg and Union Railroad
on Thursday last, the victim being q
white man, Mr.. Eli Free, and his
murderer being . colored man named
James Johnston. From q gentleman
who was present at the inquest, we
gathered the following facts: On
Thursday evening Mr.. Free came
from Newbcrry County over to the
Fairfield side, and stopped at Daw-
kins and commenced i conversation
with some gentlemen who were stand
ing in front Of one Of the stores.
While standing there, Jim Johnston,
who lives about two hundred yards
from the store, left his house and
came directly up to where Mr.. Free
was standing. When just in front of
him he said. What is that to you?"
and with the question plunged his
knife into the heart Of Mr.. Free
Pulling it ont he was about to plunge
it second time into the throat when
some one present stopped him. and
he thea said, Il will get stick.''
Almost instantly after the blow in the
breast Nr. Free staggered 4 few steps
and fell dead without speaking. See
inr what he had done Johnston broke
and run for about two hundred yards,
when some one called to him to halt,
whercupon lie stopped and commenc
ed to cry. His wife then came up near
him and ne again broke off in a run
and has not been seen since. There
were. We are informed, half dozen
men present who witnessed the whole
affair. and ali agree in the statement
that Mr. Free had said nothing, and
that as q matter Of fact they doubt
whether Mr. Free knew who killed
him. Mr.. Free was considerably
under the influence Of liquor, but had
had no words with Johnston, and had
not seen him III = month. When
Johnston came up he was talking to
the men who were present, and never
had an opportunity of talking to him.
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Free
and the same negro had difficulty
last December. in which the negro
was shot twice with shot gun. Mr..
Free gave himself up to the Sheriff
after the shooting, and was tried at
the February term Of court for this
county and was acquitted. Since
that time Johnston has threatened on
several occasions to kill Mr.. Free.
and on Thursday evening he made
good his threat.
An inquest was held on Friday
evening. and verdict rendered in
accordance with the above facts.
4 party started in pursuit Of John
ston on Friday. but did not find him
and he is still al large.
The following description of John
ston has been sent around by the
Sheriff, in the hope Of having him
captured.
jim Johnston is q light ginger cake
colored man. about five feet eight
inches in height, weighs about 1G0
pounds. walks rather stiff and slow;
caused from 8 gun-shot wound in the
back. and has . little whisllers on the
side 6 lis face. speaks ruther slowly.
seemingly an impeachment in his
speech. When he left Dawkins he
was dressed in light colored suit
and wore & small brim straw hat. lie
las 4 small lump Or mark Oh the
right eye. When last hsard Of he
was going northwar>l, and it is thought
that he WAS making for Union, as he
!lal i brother living in that county.
It is one Of tie most brutal murders
which has ever been committed in
,his part OF tie State. aid no pains
should lie spared to bring the muc-
pcrcr 20 justice WinnsJnro Ne'rs
rrd li"rnlG.