The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-09-05
A BLOODY TRAGEDY.
SOLOMON BROWN AND CONSTABLE
GRlB6iN KILLED.

SOLOMON BROWN AND CONSTABLE
GRlB6iN KILLED.
Pr. c,piss, ed by Grtbb,n Settling Pack
spe Of Goods While Searching for Coz
t.absnd Whiskey.
BLACKvILLE, S. c.. Aug. 2S.-This
afternoon at haif 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,
the 22.1ear old son of SIMON Brown,
and John Gribbin, of the State D'spen-
sary constabuls-v lorce, lie cold IN
death.
This double murder is the result Of a
teud of long standing. At the lime
when Tillman WAS first nominated as
Governor, Grihbin, then the town mar
shal, was especially active in his cause,
thereby incurring the eunlty ofthe Con-
se,vative citizens of the town, who IN
the ensuing municipal election supported
and elected council, the members Of
which pledged themselves in advance
not to appoint Gribbn town marshal.
The Influential Brown family were ear
nest supporters of the Conservative
faction and did much 10 bring about
the defeat of men who favored Gribb!n's
continuance as town marshal. After his
defeat, and short time prior to the
passage of the Dispensary Act, Crib
BIN posted letter ref.ctlng upon. Jews
which further widened the breach.
After his appointment as 2 member OF
the State constsbulary, upon three oc-
casions he opened packages CONSIGNED to
various members OF the Brown family,
which naturally eugendersd bittar feel
ings.
Today, about p. M, hs entered the
freight shed and opened case OF cloth
ing from Baltimore consigned to Solomon
Brown, ostensb!y to search tor liquor
brought into the State 10 violation OF
the Dispsnsary Act. Shortly before 2
O'Clock Simon Brown, the father, meet
ing Gribbip on the street repros him
for opening this particular package, &C
cusing him Of persecution. The arsu-
ment waxed warm and Simon Brown
was Joined by his three sons. Solomon,
Isadore and Herman. Gribbin offered
to fight any one OF them and 1sg6ore
Brown, a youth ofabcut 90 years of age,
promptly accepted the challenge, asking
him to remove his coat and official
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 junctn-e pistols were drawn
by Solomon Brown, herman Brown and
Grlbbin and Blk or seven shots were
fired in rapid succession. Gribbin was
shot through the left shoulder, and near
the heart, the ball entering the left
lung. He staggered into MIR. S.itt's
store, firing at Solomon Brown, who fell
half wsr % the ground at the first shot,
which WIS ,.uickiy followed by two or
three others, one of which took effect
in his head, penetrating the brain. An
other went in the right side and q third
entered at the back, perforating the
heart, causing almost Instant death.
Young Browns remains were carried
to his home by friends who quickly
resched the scene of the awful tragedy.
Grihbim after beng shot walked
through Mr.. Stitt's store 10 the back
yard, where ne fell and died within ten
minutes.
Solomon Brow n was the third son Of
Simon Brown and had recently en-
balked in the furnishing goods business
on his own account. He was engaged
TO be married to young lady in Saysr.
nah and beautiful home to which he
expected to conduct his young bride is
Row under construction. He was an
especially shrewd business man, popular
and courteous, and his untimely end is
deeply deplored by all who knew him.
John Gribhin, the Dispepsary consta.
BILE, was native of Ireland. about 40
years OF age, and came TO Blacsvliie IS
town marshal N 1887, and was regarded
a competent officer, but rather lacking
in Judgment. This positloo he retained
uader several administrations, losing it
when he espoused the TlllDan cause.
Before coming to BlscSvlle he had
been successlvely private 10 the Brl-
tish army, in the United States Marine
corps, from which he deserted, and was
afterwards in the Fifth United States
Artillery frcn which he was discharged.
He was an especially active member OF
the constabulary force, and though es.
teemed by the supporters of the Dis
pensary Act, his course had made him
very obnoxious to those not in sgmpa-
thy herewith. He leaves wldo = and
four children.
About 4 p. m. Coroner II. ?. Dyches,
whoit is asserted fired the shot which
killed young Brown from inside his
store. empaneled jury to view the re-
mains of the dead constable and pro.
ceeded to 8 grove near by 10 hold the
inquest. After examining e. d. john
son, J. G. Strobel and partially exam.
;. ming Geo. A. Stitt, as witnesses to
more or less of the unfortunate stlicay,
Communication frDm Solicitor G. Dun
can Bellinger was placed in his hands
suggesting that in view of the fact il
was openly charged he had tired at less'
one shot during the melee, it would be
better that he should not preside al The
inquest. In this opinion, however, The
Jury did not concur acd insisted upon
concluding its duties.
The examination OF Mr.. S!itt WAS re-
snmed when a bailit' from the slleiiti's
Office notified the coroner that the sher'
iff was on his way to The inquest which
he desired should be held by Trial jus
lice Hammet. Notwithstanding this Of.
fetal message, however, the jury per.
sisted 10 the performance of its duties.
Coroner Dyches, who had interrogateG
the witnesses as to whether or not they
had seen him fire a shot al Solomon
P-own and aiso jf If w9s DOssihla tor