The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-24
A Bloody Christmas,

YoRKvILLE, s. g., Dec. 27.-Fur"
ther facts have been elected by the
coroner's inquest concerning the MUIR
der of MIR. D. P. Blackburn, for which
the negro, Jeff Crawford, is held. Craw-
ford is about forty years Of age. When
seen at the jail Dy a reporter he said
that Blackburn came to his house Sat-
urday night to get shaved, preparatory
to going to North Carolina. After
shaving him, Crawford says he went
to Rock Hill, and returned next morn
ing. He denies all knowledge of the
killing. His statements were clear,
but guarded and careful. The facts de-
veloped at the inquest, however, make
things look black for the negro. A
bloody razor is said to have been found
at rawford's house, and Identified as
his property. There was an empty
half pint flask in Blackburn's pocket,
and the theory is th,t Crawford, or
whoever killed the unfortunate man,
lured him into the woods on pretence
of guiding him to whiskey wagon
State.
TWO BROTHERS KILLED.
SPARTANBURG, S. c., Dec. 27.-The
following has Just reached here from
Inman, S. G. News has just reached
here from Collinsvile, all country
town just over the N nth Carolina line,
about fifteen miles north of here. OF a
terrible tragedy which occurred yes.
terday evening. One WILKINSON snot
and killed Ben Robertson, and perhaps
mortalIy wounded John Robertson, his
elder brother. Last Sunday afternoon
Miss Mollie Robertson, sister of Ben
and John, was married at her fathers
house, and among those who attended
were the Wilkinson boys. They got
into a difficulty with two Of John and
Ben's younger brothers. John, Ben
and their father, learning what was
going on, promptly appeared on the
scene, and kicked one of the Wilkln-
SONS few times and ran them OF the
place, one OF them leaving his hat be.
hind. It Is supposed that this row was
the cause of the killing.
MURDER IN NEWBERRY.
NEwBERRY, Dec. e.. Henry N. An
ton, well digger, died here today from
the result of a trivial matter. Last
night a difficulty arose between GER
tain mill operatives. Rube McGoWan
and Frank Smith were engaged In a
knock-down fight about Smiths little
boy being slapped by MCGOWAN. Hen
ry Wertz, McGowan's son-in-laW,
Joined in the fight, when Anton en-
deavored to separate all parties. Hot
words followed between Werts and
Anton. Werts then struck Anton on
the head with a brick, breaking his
skull, with fatal results. Werts fled
last night. A warrant has been issued
for his arrest.-State.
A VICTIM IN ROCK HILL.
Rock HILL, Dec. 27.-Chsrlie j. Mil
ler, white, desperate character, shot
and killed negro named Cslly Doug
lass, In front OF j. w. Taylor's meat
market tonight at 7.45. 1t seems as If
the men had been engaged In quarrel
for some time when Miller drew q pis.
tol and shot Douglass three times, kill.
Jig him almost instantly. Miller has
been employed as q guard at the stock.
ade here for four months. He skipped
Immediately after the third shot and
when last seen was running In the d.
rection of Black street.
SHOT AT A CHRISTMAS FROLIC.
PLEASANT HILL, Dec 26.-William
Watts was fatally shot last night by
William McIlwain at negro frollc
near this place. Watts died this morn
ing. The shooting was done with a
double. barreled shot gun. 1t Is said
that there was an old grudge between
them. Both are colored.