The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-30
THE PIKE TRAGEDY
WHICH GREW OUT OF A FORTY ID o
AR BUGGY.

GRIFFIN, October 24-TSpecial. l-Will Sui
livan has shot John Wilson.
This startling and sad news was received in
Griffin yesterday. To those who were ac-
qualnted with tho parties, the intelligence
was not q surprise. A feud has been existing
ing between the Wilson's and Suliyans for
several years and has been growing in hatred
and intensity, Cyrus II. Wilson, the father of
John Wilson, lives about one mile west of
Hollanville, in Pike county. He is the owner
OF over one thousand acres of land, and has
around him, as tenants, large number OF
people, both white and black. He sits upon
his large and commanding yeranda and rules
this little estate with strong and
determined hand. His tenants cause
whether right or wrong, is his care, and he
maintains them with all the yigor of robust
and tyrannical manhood.
just one mile further on, and adjoining the
Wilson acres, the magnificent lands of the
Sulllvans begins, and stretches for miles, even
down to and across the Flint river bottoms
The Sullivans are wealthy, and the family
consists of H. G., Sullivan, the father, viii
Sullivan and Clark. Will Sullivan, the slayer
of Young Wilson, by industry and economy,
has added to the estate of his father He Is a
quiet, inoffensive man, given somewhat to
boasting; Three or four years ago, Will Snlli-
van sold q negro tenant of Wilson o
buggy for forty dollars on time. In the
fall OF the year Sullivan sued the negro and
obtained Judgment, the buggy was levied
upon and Wilson believed the negro was being
badly treated from some cause, had him to file
an affidavit OF illegality and signed his bond.
The negro lost the case. Judgment was OBJ
tanned on the bond, and Wilson's property
was levied upon. Wilson became violently
angry Mt this and filed a bill of injunction
against the SALE In his bill Wilson alleged
that Sullivan had obtained the Judgment by
perjury, that he had been guilty of subordina-
ton of perjury, and made divers other libel
lous charges The bill was dismissed for want of
equity. Sullivan then sued Wilson for SANDER.
After many. continuanees, during all of
which time the anger of each party was grow
ing IN intensity and bitterness, the case was
tried at the October term, 1887, of the Pike
superior court, and Sullivan obtained verdict
Tor $500. Wilson appealed to the supreme
court and the Judgment OF the lower court was
reversed on the ground that the bill in which
the slanderous words were used were privi-
ledge communication. This elated Wilson
very much and soon afterward a new trouble
broke out between him and Sullivan in refer.
ence to q line fence. Wilson took tie law in
MS own hands and ne IN eomrrany with his two
sons cut the fence down. Sullivan prosecuted
them at the present October term OF the court
and cesssrvTcted the three of malicious mischief,
and the Wilson's was fined an aggregate
amount of $500. G. II. Wilson when
sentenced stood up in conrt and
convicted by false swearing and pack of liars.
The feeling OF bitterness and hatred was now
at fever heat, and it has been reported that
the Wilson's and VIII Sullivan were carrying
weapons for each other. Yesterday john
Wilson and VIII Sullivan met in the road
near Hollenville, few words were passed,
weapons were drawn and the result was that
Wilson was shot dead.
knowing the character of all the parties it
would not be surprise to learn at any time
that more blood has been shed.
Thus, for forty dollar buggy, lifelong
friends and neighbors have been estranged; a
bitter hatred grown up; an expensive lawsuit
has been Irrigated; son killed and Sullivan
has blood on his hands.