The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-12-17
BLOW LEAD TO SHOT
eoaN MAN STRIKES ANOTHER
.,:ISs ..s5 Il; ss. sb:5:..
AND IS sHoT no. DEATH.

AND IS SHOT TO DEATH.
81 fIki:
azaas Deplorabie Affair at Branch.
vile, In Which Abe Pesristine Is
Killed by J. J. Jones.
The quiet and peace-loving little
city Of Branchville was terribly
shocked Thursday morning when 1t
became known that Mr.. Abe Pearls
tine, one 5of the towns most promi-
aent merchants, had been shot and
killed by J.sJ. Jones, Esq, a lawyer
residing in the town. in. a personal
difficulty at the postofice. The
particulars Of the unfortunate af-
sair, as brou ,ht out! before the cor
oner's jury, shows that 1t was one Of
those deplorablej tragedies that is
Stable to happen when men resort 10
force to settle personal matters.
Thursday morning at about a
gus rter to ten o'clock, Mr.. Pearls
Zine went to the postoflce to get
:. his mall, and while he was in the
Sobby OF the Office Mr.. Jones came
in to get his mail. AS Mr.. Jones
was about 20 pass him, Mr. Pearl
stine accosted Jones, and handed him
u paper, said to have been request
t. Pearlstine for the settlement OF
mercantile debt of s37.S9 which
he owed some house from whom he
had bought goods. 1t Is said Pearl
stlne had paid this account to Jones
some time before and held mis- re-
/: ceipt in full for the same.
Jones made some reply, which
seems. to have aggravated Pearlstine,
who then struck Jones in the face
with his fist, bruising him up pretty
ta:ly and bringing the blood. The
TWO men then passed several blows,
Jones being badly used up in the
encounter. Hearing the noise out
side in the lobby, Postmaster Byrd
rushed cut aud separated the two
men, requesting them not to renew
the difficulty, as his wife was in
the postoffice. Pearlstine. who had
lrecip:tated the row by first strik-
lne Jones, apologized to Postmaster
Byrd, and assured him that he was
very sorry for what had happened.
Jones, who seemed to, be very
much excited, passed by Pearlstine
and Byrd while they were talking,
with the intention apparently Of
aeaving the office, but he stopped
lust inside the door, faced about,
drew pistol, and after slipping it
out of case, opened fire on Pearl
Stine, who was only few feet
away. Jones fired only once, the
ball striking pearlstine in the abdo'
men. When he was shot the unfor.
eunate man exclaimed: Il am
shot" Postmaster Byrd said: Lets
go to the doctor" Pearlstine re-
plied: II am dying" He then
'arled to support himself by leaning
mp against the door leading into the
postmaster private Office; a mo-
ment later he fell backward on the
floor, where he breathed his last In
less than Ave minutes after the fatal
shot.
Drs. Wimberly and Parker vert
hastily summoned, but were unable
TO render any assistance to the. dy-
lng man.. Immediately after he fired
the fatal shot. Jones left the post
Office building and went to his law
<fice, where he remained until he
was taken in custody by Alderman
s. S. Byrd. He came to Orangeburg,
accompanied by the officers and sur
rendered to Sheriff Salley, and was
socked in Jail, where he now is, and
where he will remain until his trial,
Or until he is granted bail which
Messrs. Wolfe &: Berry, who repre-
sent him, will endeavor to get for
him.
Magistrate A. S. Dukes presided
over the inquest, which was held at
& o'clock Thursday afternoon. There
were but four witnesses examined,
Postmaster Byrd, c. A. Dukes and
Earl Smoak, all Of whom saw the
killing, and DR.. J. S. Wimberley.
Postmaster Byrd testified that Pearl
stine was walking away with him,
when Jones came back from the
font of the building and shot him.
Earl Smoak was standing partly be-
: rEeen Jones and Pesrlstine when the
slot was fred. The verdict OF the
sury was that the deceased came to
tis; death by gunshot wound In the
tands Of John J. Jones. The fol-
aowing men served on the jury: L.
II. Fairey, ]. B. Henderson, Dan
.Smoak, ]. D. Byrd, J. W. Barr, K. c.
Jones, Lee Crum, T. o. Edwards. D.
4. Steedleye A. B. Utsey, John Pal
ner and H. Berry.
Another Account.
DR.. B. x. Minus and Mr.. L. H.
Eairey, Of Branchville, were in Char
lesion Thursday night. Mr.. Fairey
was a member Of the coroner's jury
which sat at the inquest over the
dead body Of Mr.. Fearlstine. When
seen bv News and Courier reporter
Or. Minus told the story Of the tras-
edy as he had gathered it, Mr.. Fair
er concurring in all that he said. Dr.