The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-01-09
LIFE TAKERS.
Four OF the Recently Elected Farmers Al
lance Candidates From the Palmetto
State Have ieen Charged with MUIR
der and Tried for the Crime.
fwasbinr,nn lli.nstcl, 70 thc rlr,e..s1nr

washington Dispatch to the Tirlcs-Stnr.)
1t is notable that four of the men who
were elected to important Offices by the
Farmers Alliance of South Carolina have
been tried for murder. The unfortunate
circumstance is not necessarily OF itself
Il reproach to the honored gentlemen, but
it is, to say the least. noteworthy.
SO long rs these gentlemen were merely
private and unaspiring citizens the Incl
dents of their lives were mot matters Of
general interest or concern, but as they
are coming to congress to make laws Tor
the government OF the country these incl
dents. extraordinary as they are. are legit-
imately subjcct.to the pryings of curiosity.
The most prominent figure in the Farm
ers' Alliance movement i'll South Carolina
was Gov. Tillman. He is one of the four
who were tried for the killing of their fell
lowmen Unlike the others he was con-
victed and served a term of Imprisonment
the then governor OF the State, refusing
to grant him Il pardon. The murder was
committed in Edgefeld, 5. C., in gam
bling room Tillman. so the story goes,
became involved in 4 dispute with the
dealer of faro game as to the amount
of money bet on a card, and it was agreed
that a bystander should settle the dispute.
He decided adversely TO Tillman who there
upon shot him dead.
Tillman fed the State and was absent
several years, returning At the breaking
out of the war. He was arrested, convic-
ted Of manslaughter and served out Il sem
tence of two years imprisonment.
Standardized Irby, who is now Il staid
member of the Baptist church was along
in the seventies outlawed by Governor
Simpson for the alleged killing Of Il man
named kilgorc in Laurens county. he
decampcd when 4 reward of 81 $50 was
offered for him and remained out of the
State until the affair blew over. when lie
returned and was acquitted. His next
exploit was TO arm himself with Il shotgun
while he was painting the town OF Lau-
rens a bright Nermillion and defy the au-
thoritics TO arrest him. For this bit OF
pleasantly lie paid fine. Then some
man offended him and he brought one of
his negroes from his plantation. gave him
Il horsewhiD and catching the offender un-
awares. held Il pistol to his head and one
to the ncgro'S head and compelled the ne
gro to whip the man. Other acts of gem
tie payfulness are charged up to his ac-
count, but a. he has for sometime led an
exemplary life they are not remembered
to his discredit. and the above are only al
luded to "a part of the history of the
man who is soon 10 take his seat in the
councils OF the nation.
Shell. the Alliance member-clect from
the Fourth South Carolina district, was
once tried for the murder of 4 man named
Joseph Crews, who was an active Republic
can politician during reconstruction times.
Crews had good many enemies personal
rs well as political, and one night while
he was driving along the public highway
in a buggy with Il companion he WAS fired
on from ambush and Instantly killed. Mr..
Shell was suspected and was arrested and
tried, but acquitted. To this day the
identity OF the assassin remains unknown.
tombstone. the Alliance member ELECT
from the adjoining distrct-thc Third
was charged with murder some two years
ago, but was acquitted on 4 plea of self
defense. While irving case before a
Justice, he became involved in a difficulty
with another member Of the bar and shot
him dead The evidence showed that
there was provocation and that when
Johnstonc fired the fatal shot his life was
in imminent danger.
1t is such an extraordinary circumstance
that Il State should send to congress three
men that have been defendants in murder
trials that it is worthy OF mention. And
what makes the circumstance all the more
remarkable is that all three were elected
hy a now DOlitical marty