The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29

COrOncrS nQuCSt.-.IcStIEnOnS aS w
the HOmicide---vcrdict of the
Jury Funeral Of DeccaSed---
Something of the 'TraGedy--Fhe
People Of AbbcviIie in Great Gricf.
The following account has been prepared
jointly by the editors of the Abbcvlllc papers
for use in both newspapers 1t may not be
absolutely accurate as to every incident but 1t
is as nearly so as it was possible 10 make it.
When the sun rose over the Eastern hills
last Saturday morning and its genial rays
shone upon the: town Of Abbcviile from a
cloudlcss sky they fell upon q happy people
and all was peace. But the SOrrOwful events
of the day had changed the whole features OF
our villege life when the shades OF night
shrouded our little place In gloom and dis.
treSS.
At an early hour John r. Lyon a citizen OF
our place whose venerable head has been
whitencd by the irosts of sixty two winters
left his home. He had established his domcS.
tic altar in the ancestral home OF the late
Robert H. Wardlaw, a man of God, who had
for half Il century lived there in piety and
peace and called his children around him at
the close of day to invoke Gods blessing
upon them all and ask him in reverence to
lead them in the ways Of righteousness. The
limpid stream ia front ran on in quiet to its
destination as it has done for years with moth.
ing to veX 1t on its way. \ gentle breeZc,
played among the foliage Of the primeval
beautiful flowers. planted and nourishcd by
the Sainted woman who years ago went To-
rest in the bosom of the Savior. confldenl
in the hope of blssfu immortality, cNhaled
their sweetest perfume over the sylvan
scene. Everything conspired to turn ones
TO love and gratitude. He LETT his
home with double barrel shot gun loaded
with buclshot and walked to the Academy
Ill ct nj Il
yards. There he halted. This venerable
building which for years has rung With the
laughter of innocent children was vacant.
The teachers after their weeks work were
holiday. The playhouscs of the children
were abandoned. Their books and slatrs
were laid away. He entered the building
alone, his footsteps echoing through the
gle colored man who was employed in clean
Ing up the premises. The negro asked him
what he was "doing with the gun" he replied
that he had it for "somc Of the boys to hunt
squirrels with There he tarried until the
next scene in the drama.
About 9.i5 o'clock ID. Lucien Mabry tai
ented young lawyer left his comfortable
home on the beautiful street leading to
and little children and crossed his threshold
never to return again. He was in the full
vigor of young manhood. Erect in bearing,
with elastic step he walked down the broad
State of South Carolina" on his way to his
office and thence TO Hodges where he had a
law case to manage. When he was nearly IN
front of the Academy, John I. Lyon emerged
from the building or arose from near 1t. ad
vanced few steps towards Mabry'S route.
cooked his gun and covering Mabry with il
ask ed him If he wanted to fight. Mabry said
II nothng. Lyon drew his gun down on him.
Mabry said he was Il damned coward if he
shot. Lyon shot. Mabry staggered and fell
asking Lyon not to shoot again as he was
dead. Lyon shot him again and holding his
gun down passed near the dying man ana
entered the residence Of w. Joel smith from
the front. He told what he had done, left his
gun, requested Mrs. Smith TO go with him to
break the news To the wife Of Mabry. Pass.
ing out OF the back door he entered q buggy
In the rear yard which happened 10 be nj
ready hitched upand drove Mrs. Smith 10 Mrs.
Mabry's. Leaving her he went TO his own
homo. On the way he met Town Marshal
Riley and told him he was ready to surrender
himself but wished TO see his wife first. He
lid surrender afterwards 10 Sheriff Mann
and Town Marshal Riley who; took him TO
The Sherif's office where he remained until
to Jail by Coroner Wilson.
The news of the tragedy spread rapidly and
our people hurried to the scene Of the homi-
tide, The body of Luclen Mabry lay on the
sidewalk where he fell. His feet were on the
edge of the walk and his body lay diasonally
lcross. His hat was near by. One arm was
,crosS Eis breast. Ills dark eyes, convered
upon the sky. There was no speculation H.
heir DEPTHS The bosom OF his shirt was
crimson with his life.blood. His brains were
,oZing out of his head behind and above his
light ear. His empty hands had not grown
stiff. The little house Of sand built by the
innocent Child in its happy playlime In"
evening before was tramplcd out Of shape and
'ed with his blood.
AS soon as the position and surroundings
)f the body were carefully examined. il was
iftCd tenderly into a wagon, covered with -
:loih and transported to the residence of DR.
Thomas j. Mabry. As 1t was raised up 81
number OF buckshot fell from his clothing
ipon the blood stained SOIL \ few minutes
,tt er the removal some one Sprinklcd fresh
;and over the bloody spot and covered up al!
races OF the tragic deed. Across the street
rom where Lyon fired in l.. II. EuSsGils
gate a number OF buckShot are linbeddcd.
The place of the homicide is in q quiet
part of the town or others might have ialicn
before the fatal shotgun.
The mother and sister Of Mabry, all uncon-
;cious of the Impending calmaity, had com"
20 town on Il shopping trip and must have
reached here Just about the time the shots
we're fired. About the time the body reached
DR.. Mabry'S the heartrendlng. intelligence
Y:S broken to them. Their grief was distress
ng and all who witnessed their sorrow melted
nto tears. They had seen him last in the
rigor Of health and were called upon so sud
lcnly to gaze upon his beloved form in the
odd embrace of death.
Immediately after the body was taken
. DR.. Mahry'S, DrS Hill and Harrison made
/, thorough autopsy the result of which IS sci
orth in their certificate II the Coroner.
The Coroner who resides III the country was
sent for and several hours elapsed before n
ury of inquest could be summoned. 1t was
,rganiZcd in the Court House and led by
'oroner Wilson repaired to the residence o,
Dr Mubry whc. c they viewed the body and
turned il over to the family. The jury then
TO the Court House and proceeded
with the Investigation taking down in writ
ng such evidence us could be had. The only
eyewitness of the whole transaction was
Chalmers Hughes an intelligent lad who was
lcrGSS the street from where the killing took
place in sight aud hearing OF it all. From:
his statement before the coroner we have
tax en- our description Of the sad occurrence
.Onfinig ourselves as nearly to the exact
words as Il consecutive narrative would per-
nit. We give III" proceedings in full OF the
uquisition.
Chalmers zswGheS TcsiiHea TO the
KILLING.
TIE STATE or Sut'rII CARoLINA,
Is COrET Of INQUEST
Chalmers Hughes, being sworn, says:
This morning | WAS coming up town; Mr..
I,yOn come out ui Tie school house: he had