The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-17


about . o clock, near Fair Play
VIM. * Powers shot and Instant,
killed John Richey. The facts lead
ing up to the killing are well known
in the section where Powers and
Richey lived, but they are unknown
to the average reader.
About year and Il half ago Rich
cy got on n spree and went to Pow.
erss house and horse whipped him,
1T is said, nearly beating him into in.
sens Utility. Ever since that time
Powers has said | Q would kill Rich.
ey. On Tuesday Powers got hold of
some liquor aud went to Richcy's
house with the intention of getting
Richey, rs well rs himself, drunk.
When the time came to leave, Pow
crs mounted his horse and was talk
ing to Richey and his son. Some
one came up and engaged Richey
in conversation. Richey having
turned his head, Powers said. "Look
here, JOHN" and rs Richcy turned to.
ward him Powers fired, the bal! TAX
ing effect over the left eve, killing
him instantly. Richey and his son
were both armed, as they expected
trouble. Before young Richcy could
draw his pistol Powers was ont of
range, having put spurs to his horse
as soon as he fired the fatal shot,
Powers is n tenant on Mr.. T.. G.
Marett's plantation. Mr.. Ma, cit
went to Powers shortly after the
killing and tried to get him to sur
render. He talked for an hour and
a halt with Powers, who kept a Colts
pistol levelcd on him constantly. At
the end of the conversation, Powers
went out Of his house, mounted his
horse and rode away to hillv part
OF the plantation, where he was found
Wednesday morning by q searching
party, who had to chase him about
half mile before they could get him
to halt. When ordered to surrender
he threw his pistol down and dld SO.
The arrest was made by Thomas
b. Wood.
An inquest was held Wednesday
hy Magistrate d. V. Wright acting
Coroner and a jury.
Powers was lodged in Walhalla iail
Wednesday afternoon to await trial.
He is a desperate man, having shot
Mr.. l.. A. Edwards, of Oakwav, II
few Years ago and threatened the
life of several other parties. He is
an OK Confederate soldier and about
sixty years of age
Richey is also SAID to have been
very desperate man. He is Il
brother of Sheriff Rich, Y Of Pickcns
County. He was about forty. five
years old leaves a widow and five
children
The above report taken from the Keo-
wee Courier seems not to have been Civ
en- by an eyewitness, or to create SYM
pathy for Powers and we would ask the
Courier to make the proper corrections.
We visited the scene of the killing and
have the statement Of an eyewitness as
follows: Powers rode to Richey house
about two hours by sun and asked which
road Richey would come from work.
| Usichey was making brick for Preston
home.) He was told that he sometimes
came the road and sometimes the path,
! Powers rode of but came back and re-
pcatcu the question, again riding uD the
road, where he waited until Richey came
home; he then came down and called to
Richey. who put up his horse and fed it
They then went into the piazza and sal
awhile talking. Supper was announced
but Powers said he had to go and they
caught out the horse and Powers per
suaded Richey to try it. Richey did S,
| n RI -oI hn Il I,I
care to trade for it. Powers then mount
ed and engaged in friendly conv.rsa
tion during which time kichey's team
which was uriveD by Mr.. John Hendri,
drove up just from Pickens, Richie
turned and told him where to drive tn
wagon and unload the groceries, AS h
was talking Powers called to him and a
Ric hey turned Powers fired. Neilhe
Richey or his son were armed, nor di,
they apprehcs,d trouble as Powers cam,
to them friendly. In regard to the whip
cured some whiskey and hired Power.
to haul him home, paying him in advanc,
at Fair Play Richey stopped at a stor,
to make purchase and Powers drove
off back home with the whiskey, fol
which Richey whipped him. Power.
indicted Richey for it as the records al
Walhalla will show, but the grand Jury
threw the case out as Powers did not a /,
pear although e. e. Marett did appear
to prosecute the case Powers and Rich
ey met afterwards and talked the matter
over friendly and Richry offered to pay
him if he had been hurt. Powers replied
he deserved all he got. Richey, Will,
drinking was bOistcrous and rowdy, bu
not dangerous, and when sober was
Calm, quiet and paacable man. .-Sentincl
announcements