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

-NSNS anu NouIASl'
Nolumhia. September 13.-Applica-
ton has been made to Governor An
sci for pardon for Bob Jones, known
as the "Edgefeld Family Extermin-
ator.' Similar petitions have been re-
fused by previous Governors, includ-
ing Governor Heyward during his re-
cent term, but Governor Ansel will
follow his custom and give the case
his usual careful consideration.
The case of R. T. Jones is one of
the most celebrated in the criminal
annals of South Carolina. He was
; tried five or six times before he Ias
finally sent to the penitentiory for p
years. His term will expire in 1910,
and if he is not pardoned 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
| tract of land in Edgafeld county,
which they had together bought from
the sinking fund commission. Jones
i had himself made the first payment
| on the land, and it was claimed that
the Pressleys had not complied with
their 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
into the field with a shotgun and shot
Charley Presley. Eddie Presley,
brother Of Charlie, made for Jones,
md Jones started to run but turned,
and. with knife, cut Eddie to the
heart, killing him instantly. Jones
next met the father, Edward Press
ley, man IS years old and shaking
| with palsy. He had married the old
mans granddaughter, and when he
met him he said: "Grandpa, I be-
lieve I will kill you, too," and shot
the old man to his tracks. The third
son. John, was working in another
field. and, for that reason, escaped.
Jones went to Edgefeld Court
House and surrendered. He was plac-
ed in Jail with seventeen other white
men who were then under arrest
charged with participating in the
lynching of Toles Culbreath, a white
man suspected Of killing a neighbor
from ambush. The seventeen alleged
lynchers were acquitted, being de-
Tended by Gen. NJ. C. Butler.
Jones did not have as good luck as
his fellow prisoners. As previously
stated. he had several trials, one Of
which resulted in conviction before
Judge Presley. who gave him a SEN
tence of % years. An appeal was TAX
en- and r.ew trial secured. Several
mistrials ensued, and finally the
state, With the consent Of the defence,
got 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-
vic!cd Of manslaughter, being given
tenn Of 81 years. He has since
been in the penitentiary, and visitors
to that institution are familiar with
his appearance. He is now over so
years old. Ills wife, who stuck by
him through his troubles, was com,
peiied to find work in the Augusta
cot IN mills after his conviction and
is now dead. There were four
children, two Of whom were born at
ter his incarceration in Edgefeld Jail
where his wife visited him frequent
ly. One Of his daughters brought
sorrow to the family.
The leading counsel for Jones was
Maior William T. Gary, one Of the
finest criminal lawyers who ever
practiced in the court Of South Car
olina and Georgia. He 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 case was first
brought to trial the prosecution was
! conducted BY Solicitor R. G. Bonham.
who died in 1887, and Was succeeded