The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-26

Strange Csss or Hsrodi,sry savassry In
Georgia.
From the Atlanta Constitution.

From the Atlanta Constitution.
BRUNSWICK. Ca. Dec. 49, When Glynn's
Superior Cou : sits In adjourned term after tho
holidays, solicitor General John w. Bennett
will lace a trying alternative between incllna-
ton and duty.
He will DO called upon to prosecute for a double
assault with intent to kill tho son Of q man who
had avenged the murder of Solicitor Benefits
grandfather years ago.
This was done by laying at the dying mans
feet the head OF the assassin who had shot him
from ambush. The story, with other incidents
which were related to n few when Curtis Hig.
RlnUoiham was indicted for shooting, seemingly
without provocation. two negroes, who now
hover between life and death. is best told by
ono familiar with the facts.
During tho civil war the elder Bennett was an
officer in the Confederate service. Enlisted in
the ranks Of his company was Frank Higgin.
botham. at that time u stalwart young man of
daredevil courage. Higginbotham was devoted
to Capt. Bennett, and this devotion was fully APP
preciated by the officer. One night while riding
into the Confederate camp in Wayne county an
assassin's bullet swept Capt. Bennett from his
horse. He fell Into the arms Of his devoted
friend. who had followed him afoot. Raising
his eyes from the officers face In a searching
glance around Higginbotham recognized through
q clump OF parted bushes tho features OF o negro
who had formerly shaved under him as overseor.
Bearing Capt. Bennett into camp some distance
away, Hipginbotham left him to medical skill
and disappeared.
The following day at roll call HigRinbotham
did not respond. A search failed to reveal his
whereabouts. He was published as a deserter.
and punishment OF death road out Il he WINS cap.
tured. Two days a%fterward HiRginbotham
voluntarily returned. He was ordered brought
10 the Captains tent, and there told this Story:
Having recognized the ~ex.slave who had shot
his superior aud friend, he followed him to his
mons Island. There, by posi- as a Gonfed"rs I,
%deserter. he secured the privileges OF the camp.
The negro assassin was near him performing
the duties OF cook. Higginbothanl persuaded
tiers. As they bent over to gather them ,HigRin-
botham's knife severed the Negroes jugular vein,
and he fell iifeless before him.
Quickly seyering the head from the body, Hig-
and, placing the CHASTITY evidence of an avengers
work near him, pulled Tor his own camp to tell
p 1@o ssSry his Hnd fr IfGxt NJ fS aeS trunti iS SnS Ss wao W Saa
shown Capt. Bennett, and H,gginHotham was
released from the charge of desertion and the
ers. A few days afterward Capt. Bennett
died In great agony from his wound, and
rades. The head Of his assassin was lett behind
for the carrion birds to feast upon as the Con.
war f Hissi mSo1% m lived liz siO in Gi PGln, county ntter He He
seemed never to forgive the negro race for the
death Of his friend, Capt. Bennett: To that
killed two. bringing their heads to town. Stick.
ing these on poles in front of u saloon. he walked
in and invited his friends to drink to the dear
departed"
IN after days Pierre Lorillard's yacht steamed
into Brunswick waters en- route to Jekyll Island.
The chief engineer and HiRginbotham became
involved in a quarrel and the former was killed.
On that day Lorillard swore never again to rip
pie the waters Of Oxlethorpe Bay with his
yachts PROV or set foot on Brunswick sofia
pledge kept good SO far.
Years rolled on. and finally the day came re.
Gently when Curtis, Higginbotham's son, shot
two negroes while riding home. Time and
other influences had In the meantime wrought
changes that placed the younger Bennett in the
Solicitor-GeneraPs chair. One Of his first most
to prosecute the son Of his grandfather's aven.
ger FOR an attemptel double murder of negroes.
and In case one dies. now seriously i'll, the Of.
fence will read murder"
This attempt, as related by an eyewitness,
was made by young Higginbotham one evening
for no apparent cause. The two negroes. one o
preacher, were standing near the roadside talk
ing. Young Higginbotham drove close to them
and commenced shooting without either side
having passed a word. One of the men was shol
in the root and the other in the breast
Higginhotham then checked up his horse and
drove rapidly. on. turning around In his seat oc
casionally to laugh at the wounded men.
Officers searched for him that night, but failed
to locate his where abouts. The next day h,
drove into town and gave himself up, In an In
to shoot the p eacher, but he did want to shoot
the other negro because he cursed him. and fol
that part Of the affair he had no regrets TO ex
Drega-