The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-16
EVANS TRIAL POSTPONED.
BECAUSE OF DEATH OF BROTH
ER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW.

ER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW.
Most Sensational Murder Case in Re-
cent History of south Carolina Al
lowed TO Go over Until Next Term
for Court for This Reason-Evans
Is Charged With the killing Oi
Capt. John j. Griffin at Columbia
just Year AgO-His Family Is
One of the Most Powerful and In
nuentiaI in the state.
Columbia, S. c., April 15.-On
account of the death of the
mother in-law of his brother, ex-Gov.
John G. Evans, the trial of Maj. Bar
nard B. Evans for the murder of Capt.
John Griffin was to-day continued I'M
til the next term of court. There is
considerable adverse criticism of the
action of the court. The crime oe-
CURED just a year ago and this is the
third term of the Criminal Court
since. The case could not be called at
either of the two previous terms of the
court because of the close relationships
between the judges who presided and
the defendant.
No family in the state has so large
and influential connection as the Ev-
anses. The Garys' who have filled more
important offices in ten years than any
other two families. except the Ev-
anses, are closely related. Besides the
judges on the circuit bench, Eugene B,
Gary, a first cousin, is a justice on the
oh T1h1v N
ans, who succeeded Tillman as Gov
ernor. is Bernard Evans elder broth
or. He was defeated for the Senate by
the narrow margin of l, 700 votes. The
elder Evans is a lawyer, and will as
sist in the defense, although his name
does not appear among the attorneys.
The accredited counsel are Gen. Will
liam 7. Gary of Augusta, Ga, uncle of
the defendant; former Congressman
George tombstone of NeWberry, Judge
Andrew Crawford and James Evans OF
Columbia.
Because Of the peculiar conditions
of the killing OF Capt. Griffin and the
prominence of Maj. Evans the case is
considered the most notable that has
occurred in South Carolina for many
years. The occupation of the defendant
was insurance agent. He served on
Gov. Ellerbe's staff and then had a
position in the Cuban postol service.
but returned to Columbia two years
ago to enter the state primary for rail-
road commissioner. He was defeated
for the office. and at the time of the
killing of Capt Griffin was in desper-
ate financial straits.
Capt. Griffin was about 81 years old.
He came to this country from Ireland
in 1861 in order to join the Confeder-
ate army and he fought with gallantry
that was highly commended He was
shot through one leg and in conse-
quence was lame. For many years
he held prominent positions as general
traffic agent for different roads. Dur
ing that time his territory extended
from Florida to Virginia and as far
West as Cincinnati. The multitude of
his friends among railroad people was
all parts of the country they
subscribed a fund for the relief of
Capt. Griffin's widow and children and
to prosecute the case against his slay-
er.
How the killing Occurred.
On the afternoon of April 10. 1901.
Capt. Griffin went to Maj. Evans room
in a bachelor apartment house on Main
street. Several minutes later a negro
porter saw Capt. Griffin come to the
door, saying he was going for cigars.
but Maj Evans insisted upon going.
Evans returned and half an hour later
the report of a pistol was heard. Sew
eral minutes afterwards, Evans came
down stairs and asked to use the tele-
phone in a grocery store, but did not
do so, and returned to his room. In
twenty minutes, he again came up and
rang up a doctor, Dr. Gibbes, who first
responded to his summons, found Capt.
Griffin lying on the bed, quite dead,
shot through the heart. Maj Evans
was very much excited. A pitcher OF
whisky, with a tumbler half full was
on the table, where also rested a. re-
volver. When DR.. Gibbes told Evans
that Capt. Griffin was dead he seemed
furious; cursed at him; declared it was
not so, and getting between the doctor
and the door, said he should not leave
the room. 1t was some time before the
frightened physician got an opportun-
ity TO dash through the door, and run
to the street
He notified the police, and three Of
ficers went to the room. Evans had
locked the doors and he refused to
open it to the policemen until assured
the door would be broken in.
When the officers get into the room.
Evans told them that Capt. Griffin had
taken his. Evans, pistol from the
drawer and shot himself. Later, he re-
fused to make any statement and it
was given out by one that the plea of
suicide would be changed to that of
self defense.
There were number of bruises on