The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-04-18
TRAGEDY IN COLUMBIA.
Captain Griffin Dies From Pistol
Shot Wound Inflicted By
Major Evans.

Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock
Captain John J. Griffin, commercial
agent of the Norfolk and Western
railroad, was shot to death in the
rooms of Major Bernard B. Evans in
Columbia, S. G.. The arrest of Major
Evans subsequently created pro-
nounced sensation.
The two we're alone, and occupants
of adjoining apartments were at dim
ner. Major Evans summoned ply
sician, saying that man was hurt in
his rooms. DR.. R. W. Gibbes found
Captain Griffin lying in dying con-
dition and speechless on Major Evans
bed. A A caliber Colts revolver bull
let had entered just above the left
nipple.
When DR.. Gibbes announced that
Griffin was dying, he declares that
Evans, who had been drinking heavi-
ly, became wildly excited and exclaim-
ed that DR.. Gibbes lied; that Dr..
Gibbes and not he himself had killed
Griffin. The physician, under pre-
text of replacing a broken instrument,
managed to get out of the room, al
though Evans declared that he should
not do so.
DR.. Gibbes summoned the police
and they were refused admittance un-
til Judge Ernest Gary, cousin OF
Evans, arrived and demanded admit
tance and submission to the officers.
Evans struck Judge Gary and was
taken to Jail in state of hysterla,
having declared that Griffin had taken
his own life.
In the room were evidences of the
fact that one or both of the men had
been drinking. Aside from this there
is no reason why Griffin should have
killed himself or that Evans should
have shot him.
The dead mans face was bruised on
both sides and there was an abrasion
of the skin on the bridge of the nose.
His waking cane, clotted with blood,
was several feet from where blood
marks indicated that the fatal shot had
taken effect.
The coroner's jury Sunday after
noon rendered verdict that to the
best of its belief the death of Captain
J. J. Griffin was caused by gunshot
wound inflicted at the hands of Major
B. B. Evans.
Captain Griffin served in the confed-
crate army with a company from Ma
con, Ca, and after the war entered the
railroad service. He had the position
of general freight agent of the East
Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia at
Atlanta, Ga, for many years, and sub
sequentIy went to the Norfolk and
Western. Two years ago he was a'-
signed to the South Carolina territory.
Major Evans is son of Brigadier
General n. G. Evans and nephew OF
Major General Mart W. Gary, of the
late Confederate army. He is broth
er of former Governor John Gary Ev-
and. who was adjutant general in 1898,
and was himself in the Havana post
office department at that time. He is
we'll known in militia and political cir
cles, having twice received a large vote
for railroad commissioner. He and
the present lieutenant governor, James
b. Tillman, fought bloodless duel in
Edgefeld some years ago.
Captain Griffin had quite a large
family. He is survived by a wife and
seven children, four sons and three
daughters. His family continued to
reside in Atlanta up to short time
ago, when they joined him in Colum'
tia.
There are many theories for the
killing, but none have much to sup
port them. It is known that Major
Evans was in financial straits.
Only part OF the available testl-
mony was brought out by the coroner,
but the jury was unanimous on the
first vote, and the verdict has been
generally accepted as proper.