Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-05-27
AFTER MANY YEARS.

Tho following, from Gaffney City,
South Carolina, under date of April
18th, is an apt illustration of the say
ing, " Murder will outs"
Samuel Jeffsries, an aged, retired
farmer, and one of the wsalthiest men
of the State, was arrested last night,
charged with numbering DR.. Alexan-
der White, twenty six years ago. The
revelation is a most sensational ono
and nearly all the prominent people
in the State are deeply interested in
1t. The story dates back to the end
of the rebellion. AT that time Sam
mel Jefferies killed neighbor named
Shelton Sparks. Jefferiss, on account
OF his riches, did not go to the war,
but sent substitute. Sparks was a
conscript officer, and near the close
of ga attempted to compel Jefferies
to go into the army. He refused to
do so and went into the woods and
hid away from the conscript officer.
Bloodhounds were put on his track,
but by some mishap he never was
apprehended. Enraged at the COR
duct of the conscrlpt officer, Jefferies
soon sought difficulty with him and
killed his official pursuer. AT about
the close of the war, when = erything
was in chaotic condition, the trial
of Jsfferiss for the murder was held.
Everybody was interested in the case,
and men of aeans, who condemned
the murder, attempted to have justice
melted out fairly. DR.. Alexander
White, an influential physician, de-
nounoed the murder and worked until
he had obtained some damaging testi-
mony against Jefferies. This wa,
made known to Jefferies and his
friends. At last it was determined
to forever silence the tongue of DR.
White by death.
One dark night in August, 1865
while rocking his motherlhss child tc
sleep in his country home, DR.. White
was killed. The shot was free
through the open door. Shortly at
terward the prattling child seeing tn,
blood on its father, sat down ant
dabbled in 1t and covered itself with
gore until it fell asleep. The muir.
derers of DIR. White were unknown
although suspicion pointed to Samuel
Jsfferies and several others. How
ever none were arrested. Soon af.
terward the trial of Jefferss for the
staying Of Sparks was held 1t re
suited in his acquittal, despite the
fact that Jefferies was unanimously
condemned by the people. Sine,
then he has prospered, and is to-day
a very rich man People who knew
him declared publicly that he rarel,
sver slept, and frequently saw appar
itlons of his victims. When DIR
White was murdered Jefferies and
man named Medlin we're intimate as
sooiates. 1t was believed that Med
lin had either been hired by JefToriet
to kill White or he was an abetto
in the deed. Medlin had to leav,
the state and went to Texas. Their,
he died some years ago. While OF
his deathbed he made a statemen
generating himself and declaring
that Jefferies had murdered DIR
White. His confession was KEEP
secret by the Medlin family. No
long ago Mediums son told the tale
related by his father. This starteC
anew the old sensation. The pratt
ting child, who had dabbled uncon
sciously in his parents life blood, il
now a man. He has secured mucl
testimony and has wound the col
tightly around his fathers murderer
He is penniless, but he has been aid
ed by friends in obtaining testimony
and the case has been successful,
worked up. When Jefferies was ar
rested at his home in Gaffeny City
ne was sick, and is now guarded b,
deputy sheriffs in his room.
''.