The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-10
SLAIN In A QUARREL.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF tbs KILLING
OF j. 6. BAILEY.

A Difference over the Division of G
Crop Results in Hot Words, Blows
and the Fatal Shot Through
the Heart-Patterson Said to Have
Surrendered to the sheriff-Fhe En-
tire satilla Section Excited over the
Killing.
Mr.. John H Fox returned last night
from Bailey's Mills where he went TO take
charge of the remains of the late ]. s.
Bailey. Mr.. Fox says that the people around
Bailey's Mills and in fact the whole OF
Camden county is in a state Of excitement
over the killing. Crowds of people visited
the mills yesterday and the
day before, coming from throughout
that section of country, and even from
Savannah. The killing and the circum-
stances OF the crime are the sole topics Of
conversation.
Mr.. Fox said that the account Of the kill
ing as published in Yesterdays MORNING
NEWS was substantially correct, though all
the details were not given.
The coroner's inquest was held Wednes-
day and returned verdict of manslaughter
against Patterson. From what be heard OF
the statements that were made before the
coroner's jury, Mr.. Fox said the cir
cumstances leading up to the kill
ing are about as follows: Patterson
was working around Bailey's mills
and besides was farming some land on
shares. In the division Of the crop short
while back there was some difference be-
tween Bailey and Patterson and some
words passed Patterson had a sugar cane
patch on Bsiley's land and wanted the lat
ter to advance him about $40 on it, which
Mr. Bailey was unwilling to do, and over
which they had some words again.
Before going to Bailey for a settlement,
on the day of the killing. Patterson armed
himself, appearing to ant cipate trouble |
There was a dispute, hot words passed. and |
Patterson cursed Bailey, using very vile
epithet. As he did so, Bailey, who was a |
powerful man, caught Patterson, who was |
much the smaller man, by the throat and |
beat him. Patterson drew his pistol and |
fired, the ball passing through Bailey's |
heart. Patterson fled after committing the |
crime, but a dispatch received from Folk
stone yesterday to the MORNING NEWS |
states that he had surrendered TO thesheriff.
Mr. Fox, who partly dissected the body
in embalming it, examined the heart care
fully, and he said that it was impossible for
the ball to have gone more nearly through
the center Of it.
large number of Bailey's relatives and
friends gathered at his home upon hearing
of his death.
The funeral will take place to-day at
noon The remains will be buried in front
of the deceaseds house on the river bank,
where the grave will Command full view
of the mills and surrounding country, on
one side, and the river aud shipping ON the
other.
Mr.. Bailey was the leading man of his
section. His lumber mill is one of the
finest in the south, doing an immense bust
ness and supporting a large number of
people. The facilities for shipping at the
mills are very fine, and four vessels are now
lying at the wharves loading lumber. Mr..
Bailey had just finished improving his resi-
dence and grounds in most exquisite taste,
aud the place is now one Of
the finest in Southeast Georgia.
Patterson is said to be very ordinary
looking man, small anc crippled from
poor and illiterate. While
the dead mans relatives and immediate
friends are determined upon giving Patter-
son the full penalty of the law,
ii is said that there is a division
of sentiment. A large number of
people, while regretting the killing,
defend Patterson's action, claiming
that he was justified under the circum-
stances, and had not Bailey first assaulted
Patterson, he would not have been forced
to the fatal shot. Patterson has relatives
and number Of friends among the poorer
class Of whites, who will stand by him. It is
said that the feeling among the squatters
and the poorer class of whites is very bitter
against the mill men and large land owners.