Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1904-09-07
Yenas wife Outraged and Murdered.

Wilmington, n. c., September 3.-The
young wife of George Packer, respect
able workingman, was outraged and
murdered at her home, one mile east of
Clarkton, Bladen county. about 10
o'clock this morning, by an unknown
man. The woman was found alone in
tho house, and she was dragged about
two hundred yards, raped and murdered.
That the horrible. crime was committed
by wretch in black skin there is no
doubt. The body was found by young
brother of the victim, who had gone to
Clarkton on an errand. When he returned
he saw signs of desperate struggle, and,
following the tracks, he soon found his
sisters body. The woman evidently
made a brave fight against terrible Odds
Her throat was cut from ear to ear, and
the knife which was used was found
few feet away. The skull was crushed
by a blow from heavy piece of wood,
her arms were badly torn, and the body
bore many fearful bruises. The boy
gave the alarm, and very soon hundreds
of people hurried to the scene. Posses
were formed and all the afternoon the
surrounding country wac secured.
Bloodhounds arrived late tonight and
they were placed on the trail. 1t is ex-
pected that they will run down the cul-
prit. Feeling is running high and the
whole country is aroused. The crime is
the most horrible ever committed in that
part of the State, and if the guilty party
is caught he will probably pay the pen
atty at the hands of mob.
negro, who was working in field
near the Packer home, was arrested, but
there is no evidence against him. When
Mrs. Packers brother started to town G
saw three strange negroes lettering near
the house. They have not been seen
since the crime was discovered. Mrs.
Packer was about. 81 years old. Her
husband was at work at a lumber mill,
six miles from home, and she was left
with her small brother. The house is in
an out-of the-way place, and it is an easy
matter for such crime to be committed
and the perpetrators escape
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
Charlotte, Y. c., September 3.-Blood-
bounds were placed on the trail tonight,
and if the criminal is caught and the
proof is conclusive a lynching will likely
follow, as the community is very much
stirred over the double crime, which was
brutal in the extreme. The negro ar
rested is not thought to be guilty.
a LATER ACCOUNT.
Charlotte, n. c., September "A
special to The Observer from Clarkton,
n. c., says that Ncill Sellers and Dave
Brown, charged with the assault and
murder of Mrs. George Packer there yes
terday, were placed in Jail at Elizabeth
town to-day, after conclusive evidence
had been obtained that they were the
men wanted. They were moved from
Clarkton by ruse on the part of the
officers, which doubtless saved their
| lives, as a large crowd had collected and
the determination was to lynch the men.
1t is not thought that the men are in any
danger at Elizabethtown.
Brown, one of the men in custody, was
arrested in the vicinity of the crime yes
terday, while Sellers was taken late at
night some miles distant, after being
trailed by bloodhound. The dog took
the trail at the point where the dead
body was found and went to the railroad
station and into the waiting ROOM where
the negro bought a ticket AS soon s.s
Sellers was arrested the majority of the
crowd demanded that he be lynched, and
it was only by the determined stand Of
the officers that this was not done.
About noon to. day when it became
known that there was positive evidence
against the men, II much larger crowd
gathered and would undoubtedly have
! lynchcd both had they not been spirited
away. One of the negroes has made full
| confession.