The Greenville times., 1890-05-03
GRAVES BEFALUATION.
me Closing Scene or the jackson Trag-
edy Or1S43

EEO1l OUsEINalluHs. We uaNG DNCu
fully informed of the events connected
with the movements ofthe repudiatOrs
in and about Jackson from the time of
the gathering together of the great
convention, on February %, up to
the escape of Graves with the public
money.
We al that time supposed the cur
tain had fallen, the five acts Of the
play were concluded and the actors
had left the stage. But we find we
were much mistaken. The tide of
time rolls on and with it the bark Of
human frailty.
1t is not in the power of man to cal
culate effects to be produced by the
acting cause. What eye can foresee
the wonderous events ofthe approach
ing future? A littlevillany, like leaven,
will swell the mighty loaf of human
crimes-it has the power of producing
aud reproducing ad infnitum.
The untimely fate of William ii.
Shelton, who has been known from
one extremity of the country to the
other as president of the Brandon
bank, a member of the party which
styles itself the "unterritied democ-
rscy,' and tried and reckless repudi-
ator, teaches lesson by with all dis
honest men should be benefited. Ills
end has been such as to draw forth
comments from his friends and foes
an end that is connected with circum-
stances in which the whole human
family cannot but be interested. Our
intention has always been never to
speak of the dead unless we speak
well. Ifa man has faults let them be
buried in the grave with him.
Whatever Col. Shelton's may have
been we will have nothing to do with
them now except so far as they may be
connected with the circumstances
which brought him to an untimely
end. The respect we have for his af-
flicted family, his numerous relations
aud friends, would naturally point out
such a course. In his domestic rela-
tions he has always maintained the
character of a devoted husband and af-
fectionate father, and for this reason
his death is much deplored.
The immediate circumstances con-
nected with his death are, If we have
been correctly informed, substantially
as follows: He was in Jackson on
Thursday, the 23d, left, and was sum-
moned as witness ON the trial OF
Graves. His evidence as given in was
not material, although from his man.
ner, it was evident he knew facts
which were concealed or misrepresent-
ed. He left en- the same day for Bran
don and never returned.
w. r. Crane, just about the time Of
the democratic convention, loaned
Col. Shelton five or six thousand dol.
lars which he had placed in the treas
ury for the purpose, it is presumed, to
enable Graves to make fair showing
provided the Office should be examin.
ed. Shortly after this, Crane told Col
Shelton that he must have the money
Col. Shelton drew the money out, and
left II in the hands of friend of both
parties. Crane told him not to take
II away again; but II seems that Col
Shelton took the money and gave 1t tc
Graves Immediately before his tria
for the purpose of again enabling hin
to have the full amount of funds. Col
Shelton on this occasion let him hayt
upwards of eleven thousand dollars.
The day previous to Col. Sheltonl
death, Crane wrote letter to hin
stating If he did not pay over the mon
ey he would expose him and indie
him for the perjury he had committed
on his examination. On the mex
morning Qast Thursday Col. Shelter
took very affectionate leave Of hi
family (Which the writer witnessed,
and started for jackson with Gen
, Coffee. On the road he stopped at
house and wrote letter to Crane stat
ing that he might cease his operations
for before he received that letter hi
soul would be in eternity.
Soon after this letter was receives
Crane and some friends, including
. Gen. Coffee started over the river 4
look for him. About one mile abov
} the ferry they found his horse, saddl
, bags and cloak on stump, also hi
gloves and riding-whip. They follow
: ed his footsteps for about fifty yard
: to the bank of the river. where the
! found his coat, hat, watch and breast
+ pin, and letter written to Crane. L
: this letter he stated the principal eli
cumstancs which had induced him +
I take his own life-Graves had RUNE
| him, and he had not q dollar left. II
1 had borrowed money from his friend
to save Graves, and had no means t
| refund IL after Graves had left. Ii
: wrote letter to his wife while on th
} bank of the river, the contents c
which 10 not known.
! He kept diary during the interv,
s between his examination and death, /
I which he recorded all the facts come,
| ed with the Graves affair, and th
Q thoughts which occupied his min
l whilst meditating upon the awful en-
: which he was fast approaching. Som
most astounding developments will IL
doubt be brought to light.
A number of citizens from th
place and from Brandon made dill
, gent search for his body. on Frida,
On Saturday 1t was found about fit
yards below the place where he wei
in. 1t looked as natural as when DO
. sessed of life-every muscle of h
!. countenance retaining its living pcs
ton. 1t was carried to Brandon ii
= same evening.
Col. Shelton had borrowed nun
o ber of small sums OF money from b
Y friends, besides the amount he z,
q from Crane. In some instances "
o learn he has borrowed the little all {
o poor families who are now left in di
\ tress.
From the papers he left, il appea
4 that Graves had promised to let hi
have gold and silver after his trial W,
ever, for all tho treasury warran
o which Shelton would furnish hii
!. with.
G What commentry upon the times
v what an amount of aflliction and su
Q fcring must result frsm the rascalit
II of one man. A fellow being driven
n the awful extremity of self-destructio
L "A tender and aflectionate wife in Il