The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-11-02
Avenged the Death.
The People of Vicinity Lynch the
Two Negroes.

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Two Negroes.
Augusta, Ga, Oct. 25.-After a
coroner's inquest, during which Jim
Mackie and Luther Sullivan impli-
Gated each other in the murder of
Mrs. j. 0. Atkinson at Republic
church, Edge6eld county, about II
miles across the river from here, in
South Carolina, both men were shot
to death tonight by the enraged peo-
pie of the neighborhood in which the
murdered woman lived.
The assassin fred at her from the
roadside late at night while she and
her husband were returning from
Augusta to their home. The crime
was committed one week ago. It
seems that there was a conspiracy
against the life of Mr.. Atkinson, who
is the only white man in a wide
radius that is Inhabited by negroes.
FULLER DETAILS.
Ausrsta Herl!d.
Edgeield, S. c., Oct. 26.-The At
kinson murder investigation recon-
venod yesterday. Testimony upon
testimony was heard. Substance is
about as follows: Jim McKie stated
that Squire Green did it. Afterwards
he stated that Andrew Lee told him
he did it. Later jim stated that it
was Luther Sullivan behind the pine
tree. He recognized him. Squire
Green denied knowing anything
about it. Andrew Lee showed his
innocence in the manner he conduct
ed himself while your reporter was
examining him. He asked the jury
to allow him TO wipe Jim McKie out
of existence for lying on him. Then
came the tug Of trutbfulness. Luther
Sullivan denied having been behind
the pine or having spoken to or seen
Jim McKie, and swore he heard Nc
Kie say he was going to get Atkin-
son out of the way in order to get
his place and run big farm. John
Smith was released--showipg clearly
he was in Athens. About dark The
jury stated to the coroner that they
had heard enough testimony at pres
ent. They retired and instructed
the coroner to have Jim McKie,
Wash McKie, Luther Sullivan, Squire
Green and Jim Smith committed to
Jail and have them brought back
November seventh for further inves-
tigation.
1t was rumored that they would
be lynched if started to Edgefeld.
Cool heads tried to keep it down and
publicly advised it. Sheriff w. 81.
Outz's- was present and deputized a
number of men to accompany the
prisoners to the jail. They all form
ed line, with the prisoners between
them and began to march towards
Edgefeld. When they had gone
about three hundred yards from the
church not sound could be heard,
but everything marching on. When
the word shalt" was given, instantly
followed by volley of shots, the
deputies jumped to one side. Jim
McKie and Luther Sullivan fell the
moment the word "halt was finished.
Wash McKie ran at the crack of the
first fire across the field. He was
fred at number of times, but it is
not known whether be vas killed.
Squire Green and Jim Smith were
delivered to Judge Gatzen to be de-
livered this morning We have not
heard from them, but the impression
is that they will be safely committed.
The inquest will be held over the
dead negroes today. The shooting
occurred exactly one week almost to
the minute from the time Mrs. Atkin-
son was shot in sight of the place.
The deputies prevailed on the crowd
not to shoot after the first fire was
heard, but with no results other
than a continued shooting.