The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-27

Laff, Ca, Aug. 26.--Editor Morning
News: We. the undersigned citizens
in and around Cedar Crossing. beg to
make the following correction in refer
ence to an account of the Jewell-Avant
homicide of the nth inst: We have
taken pains to ascertain as near the
truth as possible, seeing the report re-
ferred to is so far from the facts of
the case.
The truth is as follows: On Thursday
morning, Jewell was on his way to
Lyons, and stopped at the Mathews
store to transact some business with
r. l.. Lewis. During the time Clyde
Avant and Sebe Hall came in. After
transacting the business Mr.. Jewell
walked over about the Grace store and
remained there but a few minutes.
Then he got on his cart and left FOR
Lyons. But on going only asshort dis
lance he missed his pocketbook and
returned. He walked in the store and
asked where his book was. After be-
ing assured by Lewis that they had
seen nothing of it, he slapped his hand
on the counter, saying, II left 1t right
here" He got on his cart and went
on his journey. After he was gone
Avant, Jim Grace and Bob Lewis con-
tinued the search for the pocketbook as
far as the postoffice, looking as they
went and came. After nearing the
stores Mr.. Lewis turned to the right,
as was his custom, leaving Grace and
Avant at the gate of B. H. Grace's
yard He had gone but few steps
when he saw the book lying where
Jewell had gotten in his cart and then
called the others and showed it to them
before going to it. 1t was picked up
by Jim Grace, opened and its contents
counted in the presence of r. L. Lewis,
Clyde Avant, Jim Grace, Mrs. B. H.
Grace and Martin Sharpe, colored, and
found to contain Sc and due bill for
SIS. 1t was taken care of by Lewis
until Friday evening, when Jewell re-
turned. Mr.. Lewis told him he had
found the book all right and that he
was Just mistaken as to where he LETT
it. This seemed to enrage JeweH
&He went back to the same place, slap
ped his hand on the counter, saying. i
left it right here, and if you found 1t
anywhere else it was put there" Jew
ell did not take the book but sat on
his cart and started off. Lewis follow
ed him and asked him to take the book
as ii was all right, which he did, say
ing, that is all right" and went on
All know that Avant did not have the
book, as was accused. In fact. he had
not been near where the book was
found. After Jewell took the book
Avant was told that he would have had
him arrested if the book had not been
found, which seemed to make him
(Avant) very mad. On Saturday
morning Jewell stopped at the Grace
store and did some business. when
Avant asked him to step to one side.
They had a few words privately and
walked back to the front of the store,
Jewell asking Sebe Hall of he didn't
hear Avant say that he saw Jewell put
some bills in his pocketbook on the
morning it was lost. Hall said he did.
Avant said that he did not say any
such of thing, approaching
and assaulting Jewell with knucks at
the time. Jewell backed. at the same
time opening a knife. Avant, backing
at the same time and Withdrawing the
knucks, drew a revolver and presented
it at Jewell, saying, 81 will shoot you"
Jewell threw out his right hand, say
ing, "shoot me if you want to, I am
not afraid of you nor any other man."
At this instant Avant raised the re-
volver and fired, killing him instantly.
(Signed) ]. B. Jones, Sr., Robt. l..
I Lewis, B. H. Grace, ]. A. Grace, j. K.
Hall, w. J. Jewell.