The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-03-09
Terrible Tragedy Shocks Spartanburg.


SpARTANBURG, March AT 2.30
clock this afternoon Dr. S. j. Biv-
ings shot and killed T. j. TRIMMER in
the latter's book store on the public
square. An immense crowd gathered
in front of the store at once and all
kinds of rumors we're ahoat, but no
demonstration Of any kind was made.
Both were men of prominence and
both had many friends: in fact, the
two were themselves bosom friends,
and as the news went from mouth to
mouth it shocked and surprised every
body. Just what caused the difficulty
is not yet known, but tseems to have
beenssomething about Bivings' wife.
bIr. l. ". Gray, Of Glendale, was
standing at Mr.. Trimmier's desk Civ
ing an order for some printing, which
Mr.. TRIMMER was writing down. DR..
Bivings walked up behind him and
fired at TRIMMER over his left shoul-
der. Mr. Gray stated that it was so
close to him as to jar him considera-
bly, and cause him to think some one
was firing at him. He turned quickly
and saw Bivings fire two more shots.
Bivings then said: ''I will teach you
how to speak other than respectfully
Of my wife" TRIMMER replied:
"What do you mcan?'' and sank
down. In three minutes he was dead /.
being shot through the heart. Biv-
ings then turned towards the front of
the store. Mr.. Trimmier's son came
in and started back towards his father
and Bivings remarked: "Don't bother
me, ..or don't want to hurt you,"
and shot him through the hand.
Bivings, with pistol in each hand,
walked up to Policeman McAbee on
the street and surrendered. He was
then locked in Jail.
If there be anything else the coron-
er's inquest will have to develop it,
for all parties refuse to talk at this
time. The inquest will be held to-
night. This city has not had more
profound sensation since George s..
Turner'S day. Both men we're raised
in this county. DR.. Bivings has been
prscticing dentistry here for a number
of years and Mr.. TRIMMER was the
proprietor Of the well-known Trim
micr's book store. Both have fami-
lies. The tragedy is deplorablc.
SpAnrANBURa. March 3.-The
friends of Dr.. Biyings now say he was
crazy when he committed the awful
deed of Tuesday afternoon. 1t is only
on this hypothesis that they can ac-
count for his actions. 7. j. Trim
mier had been perhaps the best friend
he had in the world and he had made
Trimmier's book store his headquar-
ters for year or more. Mrs. Bivings
states that Mr.. TRIMMER had always
treated her in perfectly gentlemanly
manner and she had not seen him
since just before the Christmas holi-
days. If Mr.. TRIMMER had ever said
anything derogatory about Mrs. Biv-
lngs to anybody it has not yet been
divulged. Such seems incredible, for
Mrs. Bivings is above reproach and is
highly respected by all who know her.
Bivings' health has been bad for sew
eral months and he lad given up the
practice of dentistry. Mrs. Bivings
stated to reporter that on the after
noon before the tragedy physician
had stated to her that her husband
was suffering from mental alteration.
These facts, taken together with his
actions in the telegraph Office both be-
fore and after the shooting, cause
some to doubt his sanity. If this be
not the case cause for the deed has
vet to be found.-The State.