The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1894-09-06
A BLOODY TRAGEDY,
SOLOMON BROWN AND CONSTABLE
GRlBBlN KILLED.

~, GRlBBlN KILLED.
A Double Homicide tho Result OF q Foud.
Preoipitatod by Gr,bDin se'zln" a Pack
age of Goods While Searching for Cor
traband whislsey.
BLACKvILLE, S. g., Aug. 28.-Thls
afternoon at half past 2 O'Clock, the
bloodiest tragedy ever enacted in this
quiet little village occurred on the main
street of the town, directly opposite the
passenger station, and Solomon Blown,
tho % wear old son Of Simon Brown,
and John Grbbin, of tho State Dspen-
Rary constabulacv force. lie cold in
death.
This double murder is tho result of r
teud of long standing. AT the time
when Tillman was first nominated as
D.. Governor, Gribbin, then the town mar.
shal, was especially active in his cause,
thereby mourning tho enmity of the Con.
servative citizens Of tho town, who in
the ensuing municipal election supported
and elected council, tho members of
which pledged themselves in advance
not to appoint Gribbin town marshal.
Tho influential Brown family were car.
nest supporters of the Conservative
faction and did much TO bring about
the deleat of men who favored Gribbin's
continuance as town marshal. After his
defeat, and short time prior TO the
passage of the Dispensary Act, Crib
bin posted letter rejecting upon, Jews
which further widened the breach.
Atter his appointment as member of
the State constabulary, upon three oc-
casions he opened packages consigned to
various members Of the Brown family,
which naturally ongendered bitter feel.
ings.
Today, about l p. m., he entered The
freight shed and opened a case OF cloth.
ing from Baltimore consigned TO Solomon
Brown, ostensibly TO search tor LIQUOR
brought into the State in violation of
the Dispensary Act. Shortly before Q
O'Clock Simon Brown, the father, meet-
ing Grlbbip onethe street reproached him
for opening this particular package, &C .
cusing him of persecution. The f.rgu-
ment Waxed warm and Simon Brown
was joined by his three sons. Solomon,
lsadore and Herman. Gribbin offered
to light any one of them and Isadore
Brown, youth of about 20 years of age,
promptly accepted the challenge, asking
w ioihoNO ITO Ccub hI1u OlllclNl
badge. Gribbin struck in the direction
of Isadore Brown, who parried the b! ow -,
knocking Grlbbin against the wall of
George A. Stitt's store.
At this junctnte pistols we're drawn
by Solomon Brown, Herman Brown and
Grlbbin and Blk or seven shots were
, fred IN rapid succession. Gribbin was
shot through the left shoulder, and near
the heart, the ball entering tho left
lung. He staggered into MIR. Stitt's
store, firing NJ 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 BRAN. An
other went in ths right aide and thirG
entered at the back, perforating the
heart, causing almost Instant lenth.
.- Young Browns romans were carried
TO his home by friends who quickly
reached the scene Of The awful tragedy.
Grlhbin after beng shot Walked
through Mr.. StiLt's store to the buck
yard, where ne fell and died within ten
minutes.
Solomon Brown Was the third son of
Simon Brown and had recently om-
barked in the furnishing goods business
on his own account. lie was engaged
to be married TO young lady in Savan-
nah aud beautiful home to which he
expected to conduct his young bride is
now under construction. IIe was an
especially shrewd business man, popular
and courteous, and his untimelY end is
deeply deplored by all who know him.
John Gribbin, the Dispensary consta,
BILE, was native Of Ireland, abjut 10
years of age, and came to Blackville IA
town marshal IN 1887, and was regarded
competent officer, but rather lacking
in Judgment. This position no retained
under several administrations, losing il
when he espoused the Tlllmau cause.
Before coming To Bnckville bo had
been successlvely aprivate III the Bri.
tish aroy, in the United States Marine
corps, from which he deserted, anil was
afterwards in the Fitth United States
Artillery from which ho was discharged. /.
lie was IN especially active member of
the constabulary force, and though es =
teCmed by The supporters of the ID {.
penaary Act, his course had made him
very obnoxious to those not in sympa.
thy herewith. lie leaves q wldoH and
four children.
About 4 p. m. Coroner HIP. DycN.es,
WnolC is asserLed llred the shot which
hNloN JouhEo DioHu from lD9iu0 hia
store. empaneled jury to view tho re-.
mains Of the dead constable andnrn.
ceaded to u grove near by to hold Tho
inquest. After examining II. d. John.
son, j. G. SLrobel and partially exam.
ming Geo. A. Stitt, as witnesses to
moro or less OF the unfortunate aticay,
communication from Solicitor &. Dun.
can Bellinger was placed in his hands
snggesting that in view Of the fact il
was openly charged he had fired at leasl
one shot during The melee, it would be
better that he should not preside at The
lnquest. In this opinion, however, the
jury did not concur and insisted upon
concluding its duties.
The examination Of Mr.. SttL was re =
sumed when bailiif from the slerin's
Office notified tho coroner that the sher.
: 1T was on his way TO the inquest which
s he desired should be held by Trial JUS
;lce Hammet. Notwithstanding this Of
Al