The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-06-23

SHOT DOWN ON THE STREET.
killing In GreenviIIe That Looks Like
Cold ISleoded Murder.

a killing I'm GreenvilIe That Looks Like
Cold Bleoded Murder.
GREENv1LLE, S. c., June l5.-Al-
dcrman Herman G. Gilrcath was shot
and instantly killed on Main street YES.
terday morning by j. Minis Sullivan.
The prominence of the parties and
the dcfcnselcss position Of the murdered
man have made tho flair the cause of
| great excitement.
The two men met on street cross.
ing and exchanged a few words. MIR.
Sullivan drew his pistol, and as Mr.. Gil.
reath turned to 90, shot him in the side.
and as he was falling shot him AGAIN in
the back.
Yesterday afternoon, Gilreath, who
was steward In tho Buncombc Street
Methodist Church, was at the parson-
age, assisting DR.. Pate, the pastor, in
planting some corn and peas. A negro
was plowing, Gilreath was droppiny
seed, aud DR.. Pate was keeping the
chickens away. The negro plouphcd
up an old beer bottle, and Gllrcath
picked it up and facetiously asked DR..
Pate ii he kept bottles of that kind
around his house. He threw it over his
head, and it fell in Sullivan's yard.
Some children told Sullivan about it.
and he came out, very angry. Gilreath
offered to go in the yard and take the
bottle out, but Sullivan cursed him. and
said Gilreath should not come on his
premises. Gilreath said he would settle
1t at another time, and they parted.
This morning Gilreath wrote Sullivan
a note, saying that he had insultcd him
i'll the presence OF minister; that if Sui
livan would designate a place of meet
Ing: they would settle the matter, and
that he would endcavor to give Sullivan
full satisfaction.
Sullivan Immediately came down
street and met Gilreath, who was in his
buggy, on Main street. Gilrcath asked
If Sullivan wanted to see him. Sullivan
replied that he had thrown down the
gauntlet, and it was for Gilrcath to see
him.
Gllreath got out OF his buggy and
walked toward Sullivan. When within
about ten feet OF him, Gilreath asked
Sullivan If he repeated his insult of yes-
terday.. Sullivan replied that he did.
| GllreaCh repeated his question and Sulh-
van repeated his answer.
| Gllreath did nothing, but looked
steadily al the ground. Sullivan drew
! ms pistol, and sat d.: "Gct away from
here" GlIreath turned to obey, but
Sullivan fired, the ball entering the lett
size and piercing the upper lobe of the
ielt lung. Gllreath stepped, and, fall,
ING, turned his back to Sullivan, who
again Tired, the Dali entering his back
and ranging up the spinal column to the
neck.
Gllreath dropped dead, and Sullivan
win amazing coolncss, walked to the
sidewalk, took the arm Of the police
man, walked down to the shprin's Office
ana surrendered, employing as his coun-
sci Ten. j. Walter Gary, whom he met
Oh the way, and was taken to iail.
Gllrcath was carried into the store of
tcnlay brothers, and shortly aftcrward
10 his nome. a post mOrtem cyamina.
Ilon repealed the fact that either shot
would have produced death. Only the
ball that entered the back was dis COW
crcd
Mr.. GllrcaLh was good and popular
citizen. On alderman of the city. and
there Is great indignation at his cruel
death. Excited groups of men have
discussed the event on the strccts all
day, and tonight there is strong talk Of
lynchlnS. There is hardly a probab.li.
ty, however, of such au attempt bcinp
successful, as Sheriff Gilrcath himself
lthough brother to the murdered man.
tour policemen and six other well armed
men are guarding the jail.
The coroner's inquest has adjourned
until tomorrow, for further testimony.
The testimony already taken ls damay-
Ing TO Sullivan. Gilreath had no wcapon
on his person. lie carried light cane
ir his hand, but made no attempt to use
1T: He did not get neprer than ten feet
OF Sullivan. 1t is understood that the
defense will be selEdefense, and that the
note received by Sullivan will play an
important part in the case. Mr.. Gil
reath's friends say the note was misun.
derstood, and that Mr.. Gilrcath meant
that he would satisfactorily explain the
atlair, and not that he would give sals-
lactlon In an encounter.
The coroncr's jury, investigating the
Killing, rendered a verdict of fclonious
and willful murder. Some ofthc Jurors
desired to express the verdict in stron-
GER words.