The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1890-06-05
HOMICIDE.
j. q, GR1RR1N STARRIsD TO DE STIt
BY DAVID $. S.rlcPHl;NS.
Chc Murderer Flces und IN Still a,
bnrge.


Thc Murderer Flces nnd In Still az
Lnrge.
On lust Saturday evening at about
half pnst eight O'Clock our quiet village
%.s thrown into great commotion by
the cry of murder" on the street. AS
the cry for ''help" rang ont there was
seeh men running toward Ann street
Where Mr.. ). G. Gritfin was found living
covered with blood gushing from knife
wound i'll the region of the heart. Will
ling hands were there to help but nil
stood with betcd breath rs afl felt that
ho was beyond hope. "Who did itl''
was tho question Oh every lip, the dying
man solved the mystery, "Daye Sto.
pheno did it catch him!" Drs. Earle and
Williams We're soon by tho sido of the
wounded man. On hasty examination
they wero satisfied that the wound was
mortal and had him removed to his home
near by, where he fingered two honrs
and died. MIR. Griffin had just returned
homo from Fort Hill whore he had been
for the past week erecting his saw mill
preparatory to beginning work on his
contract for saving tho lumber for the
Clemson College. He was met on the
street by Stephens and difference arose
between them about the removal of the
saw mill Stephens having recently been
employed by Griffin to work his mill
near this place. After IL few words the
fatal blow was struck and the assassin
fled. Sheriff Richcy was at tho scene of
the tradgedy II few moments after the oc-
currence and did everything in his power
to intercept the guilty man but so far his
efforts have been unavailing. Coroner
BoggS was notified and came up on the
lst instant jury was impancled with
Capt. II. G. Grady as foreman and the
inquest was held in the Court House.
The testimony and finding Of the Jury
is given below.
D. L. Boggs sworn says: I came out
OF Morris store and Stephens asked me
if L knew whether Griffin had moved his
saw mill or not. [ told him I thought
no had. This was on yesterday, 3lst of
May, 80. lie says "wcil if he has / will
settle some saw mill business with him"
\ byStandCr remarked then that "hcrc
comes Mr.. Griffin now and you can SEQ
him." saw Stephens and Griffin meet
out in the middle of Anu street. They
walked down the street in the middle to-
Scther and heard them talking, but could
not understand what they were saving.
They walked on down toward Gritlin's
house. Down near the foot of tho hill
saw one man strike with his right hand.
This was 500 o'clock. Then thcy Sep
arated Griffin turned back up tho street
and followed 81 am cut God forgive
my sins. Help" this cry was repeated
by Mr.. Griffin four or five times. Then
he says "John come to me-" L ran to
nm and when l got to him I said
"who did it Cali" and he saws "Davc
there ho goes towards DR..
Curcton's, catch him." / saw man
leaving the street, dressed as Stephens
was, going in that direction. When
Stephens said he would settle some saw
mill business with Griffin he said il in n
threatening manner. That is why I
waited to see them meet. When they
met, Stephens threw his right hand
back in his hip pocket Stephens
had never faid anything against Cal. be-
fore in my hearing. / was the first man
that got to Griilil. after he WAS cut. He
had his hands over his bowels and told
me to feel where the wound was. The
cut VII" on the left side just above the
nipple. The fifth rib was split. He liy-
ed some two hours after he was cut.
Dr. Cureton sworn says: Was sitting
on bench when Griffin came up. Steph.
ems was sitting on the same bench.
When Griffin got within ton or fifteen
steps OF me Stephens went out in the
tho street and met him and L heard
Stephens ask him how he was getting
nlong with his saw mill and understood
Griffin to say "tolerably WELL" Steph-
ems asked Griffin if he brought the saw
mill with him; could not hear GrtIin's
reply. Down at foot of the hill heard
some one hollow and went down
to where he was and Griffin said che
has killed me- asked him who. and he
said "Dave Stephens" Noticed Stcph-
ems as they were walking down the hill
have his hand on right hip pocket; as I
was going to them saw some one running
'cross the field, west. Think Stephens
went through the bnrs below the shop.
Dld not see any part of the scunlc.
lhe iirst thing / saw was Cal. Griffin
get off the sidewalk into the street. Tx
amlncd him rs soon as got to him to
sec where he WAS cut. He was cut on
he left side about IN inch and a half
below the nipple. Stephens was talking
lbout Griffin before he came up to some
one, sitting behind ne. He used pro
ano language. L said, yondor comes
Mr.. Gnf1in now. Stephens said, eyes
coming with d-n lie" He did not
make any threats of doing personal vi ,
'lcnce to Griffin. l suppose Griffin liv- |
.d about two hours after he was cut, !
This was on May 31st, 80,
Jasper CASTOR, colorc.l!, swarm soxs.
Had stmtcd home; heard Stephrns :,v
% Griffin that nc -lontcd the saw mil
M. gli"t mill from him and if he did
lot bring the saw mill back he
would have to shut the mill down.
,irliiin told hin to shut the mill down if |
10 wanted to, that there were men he
could get to stay i'll The mill and he could
lot get back in there any more. Ste
ohcns s:tld that he could prove that he
'entcd the mill from him and Griffin said
here was no contract made except he
StephcnS) was to tend to the mills for
ne third. Stephens said it was SO and
:riiiln sad 1t WAS not and said he was n !
lar, then Stephens said "you are Il Cd |
IN i'"r;' then Griffin struck Stephens
'nd when Stephens got steady he walk. |
'd up and knocked Griffin down. When
Iriilin got up and started at Stephens. |
stephens cut him. Griffin says Ste.
mems dld you cut me with that knifro !
stephens says yes / did ard if you come
It nc again [ will cut you again. Grif.
III told me to run and let the pcopIe
Know 1T and tO spu1 f,r Hr JH,vIt