The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-09-04
BLOODY TRAGEDY IN BLAOKVILLE.
TWO MEN ARE.IKILLED ON THE
STREET.

SeaFcn1uR LOT
"A Sensation at the Inquest.
Special to the Columbia Register.
BLACKVILLE, s. c., Aug. 28.-This
afternoon, at half-past two o'clock, the
bloodiest tragedy ever enacted in this
quiet little village occurred on the
main street of the town, directly oppo-
site the passenger station, and Solomon
Brown, the 22-year-old son of Simon
Brown, and John Gribbin, of the State
Dispensary constabulary force, lie cold
in death.
This double murder Is the result of
feud OF long standing. At the time
when Tillman was first nominated as
Governor, Gribbin, then the town mar
shall was especially active in his cause,
thereby mourning the enmity of the
Conservative citizens of the town, who
in the ensuing municipal election sup
ported and elected council, the mem
bers Of which pledged themselves in
advance not to appoint Gribbin town
marshal. The influential Brown family
were earnest supporters of the Conser-
vative faction and did much to bring
about the defeat OF men who favored
Gribbin's continuance as town marshal.
Aftcr his defeat, and short time
prior to the passage OF the Dispensary
Act, Gribbin posted q letter ieflecting
upon Jews which further widened the
member of the State constabulary,
upon three occasions he opened pack
ages consigned to various members of
the Brown family, which naturally en-
gendercd bitter feelings.
Today, about p. m, he entered the
freight shed and openeda a case of cloth
ing from Baltimore consigned to Solo,
mon Brown, ostensibly to search for
liquor brought into the State in viola
nf nicnnnSoru hnf ",
before 2 o'clock Simon Brown the
father, meeting Gribbin on the street
reproached him for opening this par
ticular package, accusing him of perse-
cutiOn. The argument waXed warm
and Simon Brown was joined by his
three sons, Solomon, Isadore and Her
mon. Gribbin offered to fight any one
of thom and lsadoro Brown, q youth Of
about 20 years of age, promptly accept
cd the challenge, asking him to re-
move his coat and official badge. Crib
bin struck in the direction of Isadore
Brown, who parricd the blow, knock
ing Gribbin against the wall Of George
"A. Stitt's store.
AT this juncture pistols were drawn
by Solomon Brown, Herman Brown
and Gribbin and six or seven shots
bin was shot through the left shoulder,
and near tho heart, tho ball entering
the left lung. He staggered into Mr..
Stitt's store, firing at Solomon Brown,
who fell half way to the ground at the
first shot, which was quickly followed
by two or three others, one of which
took effect in his head, penetrating
the brain. Another went in the right
side and o third entered at the back,
perforating the heart, causing almost
instant death.
Gribbin after being shot walked
through Mr.. Stitt's store to the back
yard, where he fell and died within ten
minutes.
Solomon Brown was the third son of
Simon Brown and had recently en-
barked in the furnishing goods bust
ness on his own account. He was en-
gagged to be married to a young lady of
Savannah and beautiful home to
which he expected to conduct his young
bride is now under construction. He
was an especially shrewd business man,
popular and courteous, and his untime-
ly end is deeply deplored by all who
knew him.
John Gribbin, tho Dispensary consta-
bic, was native of Ireland, about 40
years of age, and came to Blackvillc
as a town marshal in 1887, and was re-
gardcd competent officer, but rather
lacking in judgment. This position he
retained undcr several administrations,
losing it when he espoused the Till.
man cause. Before coming to Black
vile he had boon successfully private
in the British Army, in United States
Marine corps, from which he deserted,
and was afterwards in the Fifth United
States Artillery from which he was
discharged. He was an especially ac-
tive momber of the constabulary force,
and though esteemed by the support
ers Of the Dispensary Act, his course
had made him very obnoxious to those
not in sympathy herewith. He leaves
widow and four children.
About 4 p. m. Coroner II. p. Dyches
who it is asserted fired the shot which
killed young Brown from inside his
store, empaled jury to view the re-
mains Of the dead constable and pro-
ceeded to a grove near by to hold the
inquest. After examining H. d. John
son, j. G. Strobel and partially exam
lining Geo. A. Stitt, as witnesses to
more or less of the unfortunate atfray,
a communication from Solicitor G.
Duncan Bellinger was placed in his
hands suggesting that in view of tho
fact it was openly charged he had fired
at least one shot during the melee, it
would be better that he should not pre-
side at the inquest. In this opinion,
however, the jury did not concur and
insisted upon concluding it's duties.
The examination of Mr.. Stitt was re-
sumed when Il bailiff from the sheriffs
Office notified the coroner that the
sheriff was on his way to the inquest
which he desired should be held by
Trial Justice Hammet. Notwithstand-
ing this official message, however, the
the jury persisted in the performance
of it's duties. Coroner Dyches, who
had interrogated the witness as to
whether or not they had seen him fire a
shot at Solomon Brown and, also, If it
was possible for Gribbin to have shot
young Brown inthe back in the position
they occupied respectively, to which he
received negative replies in both cases
was not at all lOath to conduct the in
quest to an end, and cvinced no desire tC
exercise his prerogativc to adjourn the
proceedings.
The examination of MIR. Stitt was
again resumed, when Sheriff Lancas
ter. accompanied by Trial Justice Ham
met, appeared on the scene, and sum
moning the coroner drew an official do
cument from his pocket and placed hin
under arrest, charged with the mur
der OF Solomon Brown. This sensa
tional denoument caused the immedi.
ate cessation Of the inquest. Yria
Justice Hammet proceeded at once tt
empanel a jury and summon witnesses
Tho facts elected are in accordance
with the above. and tho yorli ict Of Tho