Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-01-12
Fort Mill Election. 8
THE MURDER OF THE DIxoNs.
John Ross Confesses and duplicates
Frank GLADDEN., a White Man.

There have been squally times at
Shelby this week since Tuesday, and
although nothing untoward actually
Occurred, there was hardly a minute
from Tuesday to yesterday, during
which an attempt at lynching would
have been a matter Of surprise. In
spite of the fearfully cold and disa-
greeable weather, there were great
crowds Of people in Shelby from all
parts of Cleveland and adjoining coun-
ties. So infuriated and outraged were
they at the horrible crime Of which the
negroes John Ross, Hack Ross, VIII
Ross and Clifton Hoyle stood charged
the murder Of Mr.. and Mrs. Dixon,
near Falston, on December 13, that 1t
was only with the greatest difficulty
they could hold back an explosion.
There was a strong force Of militia
In the city, guarding the court house
and Jail, and no one doubted but that
should occasion arise the militia would
do it's full duty; but that was not suf-
ficient to compel confidence. The
temper Of the people, goaded into
something like desperation in brood
ing over the horrible crime, was such
that fear Of consequences could not
be relied upon to keep them straight.
The fact that there was no outbreak
was due not so much to the presence
Of the militia as TO the lack Of lead
er, and the commendable self-restraint
of the people.
And as 1t turned out it was doubly
well that there was no mob violence,
Such violence would not only have
stained the fair name Of Cleveland
county; but it would have effectually
prevented the development of evil
dence that had not been previously
suspected, and the real facts Of the
murder would probably never have
been known,
John Ross was one of the murder
ers. The fact was established by his
own confession, and he also told that
the real principal was q white man,
named Frank GLADDEN.. Ross broke
down in jail previous to the trial, and
voluntarily told Sheriff Wilkins all
about the horrible affair. He did not
go on the stand, as he was willing to
do, for the reason that the prosecution
deemed 1t imprudent to allow him to
tell his story in the presence Of the
crowd. But Sheriff Wilkins repeated
the story to the jury as the voluntary
confession Of the negro and that was
all that was necessary The court room
was packed to suffocation and the
stiffness Of death prevailed as the
sheriff told the story for the first
time.
John Ross informed me that he
wanted to see me yesterday morning"
Sheriff wilkins proceeded. 81 have
promised to tell you the truth the
negro said, and I am going to tell It,
had made no threats or held out any
hope to him in event Of q confession.
ON the Tuesday night before the
murder Ross said, I left home to go
to Cliff Hoyle's. Frank GLADDEN. caught
up with me on the way. He said
want you to go with me to get some
money. I've got to have 1t. I follow
ed him down toward the Dixon home.
When I reached the wood-pile GLADDEN.
says to me, I'm going to have money
out of Dixon or have him; 3d.
you, you've got to help me. GLADDEN.
went around the house and in a short
time came back and said, Now, damn
you, have carried Dixon's axe to the
barn, I am going to call him out. I
am going to tell him I want to buy
the barn and the granary" While we
were going to the barn, GLADDEN. kept
talking to Mr.. Dixon. I went to the
place GLADDEN. told me the axe was and
concealed myself in a corner of the
shed. Mr.. Dixon had lantern on his
arm. GLADDEN. signed me, by a turn
Of the lantern, when to strike, and I
did it. Just as l hit Mr.. Dixon over
the head with the axe, I fell to my
knees GLADDEN. said, "GT d
YOU, what are you doing down there?
Get up and run up the road to see II
anybody is coming! went back to-
ward the house and went up the road
a short piece. I heard GLADDEN. step
up on the Dixon homes porch and
heard Mrs. Dixon say, Don't do that"
In about ten minutes GLADDEN. came
out and said, Il had to knock hell Of
Dixon, though" We walked on toward
Wright's. GLADDEN. said, What two
damn negroes can we put this on?
Why can't We put 1t on Will and Hack
Ross? Amt Will had fuss with
Dixon about a mortgage? If anything
ever comes Of this. you Dut 1t on VIII
and Hack and I will give you $780,"
7 killed Mr.. Dixon and GLADDEN. killed
Miss Clayton"
On Wednesday Judge Webb SEN
fenced John Ross to he electrocuted
at Raleigh on Friday. February 16.
Frank GLADDEN. Is a farm laborer
and painter, who has been living In
Cleveland county for number Of
years After the arrest Of the negroes
he went to Shelby and opened a bar
hershop Immediately after getting
the information from John Ross,
Sheriff Wilkins took him in custody.
He was quite nervous. but would not
talk. It Is believed that he knew Of
$500 that Mr.. Dixon had in his posses
sion few days before the murder and
1t Is thought that he was after that
The trial of GLADDEN. Is now In pro-
gress. John Ross went on the stand
Yesterday and repeated his story Of
the murder. GLADDEN. is relying upon
an alibi, and as to whether he can be
convicted without the evidence Of
Ross appears doubtful.