The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-09-17
BOB JONES SEEKS A PARDON,
Petition Recalls Story of Famous
Edgefield Crime.
News and Courier.

tlon has been made to Governor An
sci for Il pardon for Bob Jones, known
as the "Edgefeld Family Extermin-
ator.' Similar petitions have been re-
fused by previous Governors, includ-
IN" Governor Hayward during his re-
cent term, but Governor Ansel will
follow his custom and give the caso
his usual careful consideration.
The ease Of r. T. Jones is one of
tht most celebrated in the criminal
annals of South Carolina. He was
tried five or six times before he <as
finally sent TO The pcnitentiory for 81
years. His term will expire in 1910.
and II he is not pardoncd he has only
about two years yet to serve, since
he will be given credit for good be-
havior. He has made a model pris-
oner. and the penitentiary authorities
are understood to favor his pordon.
In 1885 a dispute arose between
Jones and his relatives by marriage,
the Pressleys, over the division of a
tract of land in Edgafeld county,
which they had together bought from
the sinking fund commission. Jones
had himself made the first payment
on the land, and it was claimed that
the Prcssleys had not complied with
'heir agreement TO pay the balance,
and that they tried to take possession
OF the portion allotted to Jones. When
they came upon his land Jones went
mt" The field with Il shotgun and shot
Charley PRESLEY. Eddie PRESLEY, a
brother of Charlie, made for Jones,
md Jones started to run but turned,
md. with knife, cut Eddie 10 the
heart killing him instantly. Jones
next met the father, Edward Press
ley, man rs years old and shaking
with palsy. Hc had married the old
mans granddaughter, and when he
met him he said: "Grandpa, T be-
hevc | will kill you, too" and shot
the old man TO his tracks. The third
son. John. was working in another
icld. and, for that reason. escaped.
Jones went TO EdgcGeld Court
House and surrendered. He was Dlac-
ed III Jail with seventeen other white
men who were then under arrest
charged with participatin" in the
lynching Of TolcS Culhreath. Il white
man suspected Of killing Il ncighbor
lr"m ambush. The seventeen ALLEGED
lynrh"rS were acquitted. being de-
Tended by Gen. NJ. {. Butler.
Jones did net have rs good luck as
his FELLOW prisoners. AS previously
stated. he had several trials, one of
which resulted in conviction before
Jut'"c PRESLEY. who gave him Il sen
'cnce of - Years. An appeal was tax
ell and u ew trial secured. Several
mlstrials cnSucd, and finally the
state. with the consent Of the defence,
cot change Of venue TO Lexington
county. where. in June. 1891. Jones
was tried before Judge Fraser for the
killing of the old man and was con-
vlr;c@ of manslaughter. being given
term Of 81 year>. He has since
been i'll the pcnitcniiary, and visitors
to that institution are familiar with
his appearance. lie is now over so
years old. His wife. who stuck by
hlm through his troubles, was com,
PEELED to find work in the Augusta
tot'"n mills after bis conviction and
IS now dead. There were four
children, two of whom were born af-
ter his incarceration in Edgcfeld Jail
where his wife visited him frcqucnt-
~. One Of his daughters brought
sorrow to the family.
The leading counsel for Jones was
Maio" William Y. Gary. one Of the
finest criminal lawyers who ever
practiccd in the court Of South Car
olina and Georgia. lie is now dead.
Major Gary was assisted in the de-
Tense by the firm Of Gary & Evans,
composed of the present Judge Ernest
Gary and Hon. n. G. Evans, Of Edge
field. When the ease was first
brought TO trial the prosecution was
conducted by Solicitor r. G. Bonham.
who died in 1887, and was succeeded
by Solicitor p. II. Nelson. Mr.. Nelson
J,1 Al