Negro Killed – Sam Fray

A row occurred between about twenty Negroes while they were return from prayer meeting at Fincherville on Sunday night in which pistols, clubs, rocks, etc., were used promiscuously. When the smoke cleared away, Sam Fraly was lying on the ground dead, shot through the left breast. Coroner T. F. Clark was notified and an inquest was held on yesterday, and Frank Thornton was arrested on a warrant issued by the coroner as the party who did the killing. He says he was knocked down and knows nothing of who shot Fraly. He is in jail.

Middle Ga. Argus – Week of April 29, 1890

Murder – Wade Yancy
A young colored man named Wade Yancy was Killed by Sam Grier at the colored Baptist church on what is called Pepperton about noon on Sunday.  The weapon used was a pistol, and the ball went directly through the heart, producing death instantly.

We learn that a trivial dispute arose between a sister of Grier and Yancy, when Grier walked up and shot Yancy down without a word.  An attempt was made to arrest the murdered by a posse of colored men and one of them, John Hardy, was shot in the shoulder.  Grier was overpowered, however , and brought to town and turned  over to Sheriff Beauchamp who placed him in jail

Middle Ga Argus – Week of May 6, 1890

Frank Thornton - Convicted

Frank Thornton, col. Who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter last week was carried to the coal mines this morning.  He was sentenced for twelve years.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of August 26, 1890

Sam Greer - Will Not Hang Now

The Negro, Sam Greer, who was convicted of murder at the last session of Butts Superior court, and sentenced by Judge Boynton to hang on 21st. inst., will not stretch hemp at that time.  His attorneys made a motion for a new trial, but it was not granted and the case has been carried to the Supreme Court of the state.  Sam will rest in jail till the Supreme Court confirms the decision of the lower court, when he will be re-sentenced.  Then he will have to answer for taking the life of a fellow man.

Middle Ga Argus - October 7, 1890

THE GALLOWS IS READY

Everything is now ready for the hanging of Sam Greer next Friday.  For several days Mr. Tom Bryan has been working on the gallows and it is now complete and ready to do the ghastly work.  The place of the execution has not yet been made public and will not be till Friday Morning.  Mr. Beauchamp will have a guard of one hundred men to assist him in keeping order if such a thing is found necessary.   There is no apprehension of any disturbance, however, but if needed they will be ready, armed with Winchester rifles.  Thousands of people will be here on that day to witness the hanging.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of October 13, 1891

Math Gunn - Burned to Death, Sad Death of an Eighty Year Old Darkey

On Tuesday night of last week a horrible death occurred on the plantation of Mrs. LeGuin in the northern part of this county.  Math Gunn, an old Negro man who has long lived on the place was alone in his little hut, when from some cause or other, the house caught fire, and the poor old darkey being very feeble and helpless parched(?) amid the raging flames.  His body was not discovered until the following morning when it was found that only a mass of bones and ashes marked the remains.  For eighty years "Uncle" Math has borne the reputation of being an honest Negro but alas he was forced to meet an awful fate.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of December 9, 1890

Homicide in Butts

On Wednesday of last week a young man by the name of Duke, from Newton county, shot and killed a Negro named Broadus near the South river bridge in the northern part of this county.  It seems, for quite a while, parties from the three counties of Butts, Newton and Jasper would meet at this spot for the purpose of card playing.  On this occasion, a crowd of both white and colored had met and was engaged in a game, and during a dispute over the question of who had won.  Duke drew a pistol and shot Broadus in the breast, killing him instantly.  Coroner Clark held an inquest over the dead man, and the verdict was of the jury was murder.  Duke has fled.  He is a son of William Duke who killed his brother-in-law, Parker, in 1869, and was killed a few years ago by a brother of the one he killed.  He is about eighteen years of age.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of December 3, 1890

Carried to the Asylum

Zack Byars - Foster

Zack Byars, col. was adjudged a lunatic one day last week and was entered in the asylum by Sheriff Beauchamp today.  He also carried Foster, an old Negro man who lived near Flat Shoals and who was judged a lunatic several weeks ago.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of December 16, 1890

On Saturday while the Milledgeville excursion train was crossing the Ocmulgee river at Macon, Lum Burford, col, who lived one mile north of Jackson, stepped from the car, with the view , as was appeared of going to the East Tennessee depot and wait for the train for Jackson.  But before he realized where he was he fell through the bridge, where the two roads cross, and was instantly killed.  His remains were brought to his home on Sunday and buried on Monday in the family cemetery.

He was an honored member of Jackson Lodge of colored Odd Fellows and was buried by the members of that body with the usual rites of member. He was one of the most industrious Negroes of the county and owned a good farm which is worth about twenty five hundred dollars.

   On Saturday night about o o'clock Mr. James Hawkins, a flagman fell from the top of a freight train at the depot in this place and one-half of his head was severed from his body by the heavy wheels of the cars.  His remains were carried on to Atlanta to await the directions of his relatives for interment.  Young Hawkins was about twenty-two years of age and had been working for the road two or three years.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of January 13, 1891

George Price

George Price, colored, who lives on Mr. J. L. Bareley's farm two miles west of town, is forty-six years old and his wife is forty-two.  They have had seventeen children born, the last being twin boys two weeks ago.  A few such prolific couples as these would populate the Congo Free State in a few years.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of February 17, 1891

John Berry - Captured Quickly

A Negro Escapes From McDonough Jail, But is Followed to Butts and Captured by Two Sheriffs.

John Berry, col., who is under sentence of death in McDonough jail made his escape on Monday of last week by breaking through a wall in the corridor, where he had been left by the sheriff for a few minutes to make a fire.

   He made his way towards his old home in this county (Butts) but was closely followed by Mr. Newt Glass, the ever active sheriff of Henry County.  He came down on the night train and secured the aid of Mr. Beauchamp and through some shrewd and sharp work they succeeded in capturing the scapegoat at Elisha Slaughter's, () on Mr. Taylor Buttrill's farm four miles west of town about three o'clock next morning

The Negro had been cleanly shaved, had his hair cut close and had on a clean suit of clothes and was sitting by a warm fire enjoying a smoke when he was cornered on and carried back to his old cell.

A prisoner will have to be sharp to elude to such officers as Glass and Beauchamp.

Middle Ga. Argus -  Week of March 3, 1891

A Negro Shot

Two Negroes, Joe Watkins and Oliver Byars, indulged in the "fun" of shooting at each other on Saturday night at Indian Spring. Joe Watkins was shot and is not expected to live. We have not heard the particulars.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of March 24, 1891

The County Court

Cynthia Hall, the colored woman who runs a restaurant in the room once occupied by Miss Ellen Finley, was tried on yesterday and found guilty of selling whiskey.  She was sentenced to the chain gang for eight months or to pay a fine of seventy-five dollars.  She paid the fine.

   Mr. Youngblood pleaded guilty of retaining at Indian Springs last year and was fined one hundred and fifty dollars, or eleven months in the chain gang.  He will pay the fine.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of March 31, 1891

Woman Died From Fright

On Wednesday afternoon, some colored people, who lived on Capt. McMichaels farm near Pittsman's Ferry, was returning from Jackson.  They were in a wagon and while going on the railroad about a mile east of town a train suddenly made its appearance and the Negroes hastily got out of the wagon for fear the team would become frightened and run.  The women alighted quickly and as she reached the ground fell over dead.  It was supposed she died from heart failure and that the attack was brought on by the scare.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of May 12, 1891

Seaborn Smith

A Negro man by the name of Seaborn Smith, charged with criminal assault on a young colored girl by the name of Leila Akins, was tried last Thursday and a verdict of guilty was rendered Friday morning.  During the speaking Smith went fast asleep.  He appeared indifferent all during the trial.  He is a one eyed Negro with a very mean countenance.   The hanging is billed for Friday, May 22. Covington Enterprise.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of May 31, 1891

Lewis Ryals - Found Dead

A Bullet Through His Head  And Hid In The Creek

The body of a colored man, whose name was supposed to be Lewis Ryals, was found in the creek one mile below Indian Springs on Saturday afternoon.  On Tuesday night two colored men appeared at a colored boarding house, registered and stayed all night.  Wednesday morning they walked away and about noon one returned and took the first train, saying he was going to Salt Springs.  Nothing was thought of the other one till he was found as above stated.  It was supposed by the coroner and his jury that this partner did the killing for the other's money and attempted to hide the body by placing it in the water.  A warrant was issued and sent to Salt Springs for his arrest.  This was indeed a four murder and the perpetrator should be apprehended and his neck should pay the penalty.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of June 9, 1891

Charlie Glass

Charlie Glass the accused murdered of the Negro that was found in the creek near Indian Springs two weeks ago, is now sleeping in a cell in the county jail.  He was arrested at Rochelle, Wilcox County, by the Marshall of that place and Sheriff Beauchamp was telegraphed for.  Mr. Beauchamp went down on Monday night and brought him in on Tuesday's evening train.    An Argus reporter visited him but he refused to make a statement for the public.  He is generally thought to be guilty, and the evidence is strongly against him. Ed Crawford, a small black Negro, who is supposed to be an accomplice in the murder above referred to, was arrested by deputy Sheriff Crawford on Monday and lodged in jail.  He demanded a preliminary trial and his case will be heard before Judge Baily Wednesday morning.  He is a table waiter at the Wigwam.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of June 23, 1891

A Good Old Darky Gone

Uncle Dave Carmichael a good old Negro died at his home on the W. G. McMichael place on Wednesday, after a lingering illness. Uncle Dave, by which name he was generally known, was one of he best men of his race in all the land.  He was sober, straightforward, industrious and trustworthy.  In 1866, soon after emancipation he moved to the farm of the late Rev. W. G. McMichael and remained there till his death.  While the weather would not admit of outdoor work he could always be found making baskets, bottoming chairs, etc. to gain an honest nickel.  Peace to his ashes.  There'll be one Negro in Heaven, for good old Dave is gone.

Middle Ga. Argus - June 30, 1891

Ed Crawford - Held for Murder

Ed Crawford, whose name was mentioned in last issue as being accessory as one of the murderers of the Negro Ryal at Indian Springs, was allowed a hearing before Judge Bailey on Wednesday and held for murder.  The case not being bailable he will have to be in jail till August court.  This makes four men who are now being held in the county jail accused of murder, a greater number, perhaps, than was ever in jail for a like offence in Butts since it has been a county.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of June 30, 1891

One Colored Lawyer

H. L. Johson, colored, was formerly admitted to practice law in Butts Superior last week.  He informs us that he will likely locate to Macon for the practice of his chosen profession as but little business could be expected in this region for a colored man.

A Negro making a speech before a court and jury in Butts County would certainly be a novel sight to our people

Middle Ga. Argus - August 25, 1891

Jim Stroud - Killed, Another Homicide in Butts, The Slayer in Jail

Butts county was the scene of another homicide on Friday.  Jim Stroud is the dead man and Martin Walker did the killing.

It seems that these young Negroes fell out about a woman and to settle the difficulty met in the road just above Fincherville and began to quarrel and finally came to blows.  Walker used his knife freely while Stroud only used his fists.   Stroud was cut on the under part of the right arm near the shoulder and bled to death in a few minutes.

Martin made his escape but was captured on Sunday Morning by bailiff Cordy Barnes and lodged in jail.  The coroner held a inquest but the jury only returned a verdict that the deceased was killed with a knife and that the knife was in the hands of Martin Walker.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of September 1, 1891

Prisoner  Escapes

On Friday about two o'clock while Sheriff Beauchamp was carrying two colored prisoners from the jail to the court house to be tried for the trivial offense of fighting and shooting at each other, one of them called Will Dorsy broke away and made his escape.  It is not the custom of Mr. Beauchamp to hand cuff his prisoners, and having another one in charge could not leave him and was compelled to allow the scape goat fly away right before his eyes.  It was amusing to see the Negro jump as he dashed away through the Presbyterian Church grove.  He has not yet been heard from.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of October 6, 1891

AVENGED!   THE PENALTY PAID, Sam Greer, the Slayer of Wade Yancy Dies on the Gallows

The Scene In the Butts County Jail.  A full Account of the day's Proceedings.

The long talked of Sam Greer hanging has come and gone and the law has been satisfied.  Early on Friday morning the town began to fill with people of every imaginable  size, age and condition until by ten o'clock, six or eight thousand people were on the streets, all to witness the public execution of the man who took the life of Wade Yancy on the fourth Sunday in May 1890.     On Thursday night Sheriff Beauchamp placed Mr. Tonch Hodges in the jail as death watch and through the long weary hours he kept vigilance over the condemned man.  Nothing of importance transpired to interest more than two hours he paced the floor of the corridor of the jail and then laid down and apparently enjoyed a good night rest. At eight o'clock Friday morning breakfast was offered to the prisoner but he refused to eat.  AT this time ye scribe entered his cell and attempted to interview the condemned man but he refused to talk, more than to say that he was not prepared to die, but was willing to go, and that he could only blame himself for the trouble he was now in.  

   We take from our notebook the following items of what transpired.

11:30  Sheriff Beauchamp and dept Crawford, accompanied by Sheriff glass of McDonough entered the jail and the prisoner was dressed for the gallows.

11:45  The death sentence was read.  At this time a number of colored preachers entered the jail and held religion services.  Several prayers were offered to the throne of grace in behalf of Greer, and several touching songs were sung.

12:00:  The preachers bid him goodbye and leave the jail.  Greer says he felt no preparations to meet death.  He is left along with Mr. J. E. Price the death watch till one o'clock.

1:15  The prisoner was taken from the jail and carried in a back to the gallows three fourth of a mile directly west of the jail.

1:27  The gallows is reached.  The sheriff was accompanied to the platform by deputy sheriff Crawford with sheriffs Glass of Henry, King of Monroe and McDowell of Jasper.

Three colored preacher, Appling, Moreland and McCray also went on the platform.  Rev Moreland then read 14th chapter of Job, after which Rev. Appling gave out the hymn, "When I can read my titles clear" which was sung.

1:40  Rev. McCray then offered the following prayer:

O thou our Heavenly father, we thank Thee for the extension of our lives to this time.  Oh reverend father, we thank Thee that thou has bought us to this gallows.  Thou hast been with us hundreds and thousands of times in the past, and O come and be with us now.  We remember in the town of Eastman in the year 1884 when we met Thee on a similar occasion like this on the gallows where criminals were to be executed.  As thou didst bless that day, O bless today.  Do you in mercy come to us today. We realize that we can do nothing with out thee.  O help today, save a poor soul from a burning hell.  Take the poor criminal into thine own hands.  O Lord he has been in the broad road to hell.  Lord thou hast promised to be with thy children in trouble. Poor Sam is in trouble today.  May you meet him down at Jordan this evening.  Have you not said you set on the table meet.  O Jesus set the table aright for Sam today.  Come and have mercy!  Save Sam today and save us all,  Amen.

1:43  He talks.  I have been in jail 17 months and all this time I have been on the downward road to hell till this morning.  Since these brethren came in this morning I feel like I have a home in heaven.  I'll soon be with Jesus.

My advice to all, to both white and color'd is to leave your pistols at home.  See the trouble I am in.  See the rope around my neck.  I don't think I have had justice but am willing to go.  I want all you, white and colored who will promise me to not carry pistols any more to hold up your hand. (Many hands went up.)  A pistol brought me here.  I done it myself.  Well gentlemen, I'll soon be gone  Just for my sake keep pistols out of your pockets.  If you don't you may soon be where I am.

1:50  The preachers tell Sam goodbye and leave the stand.

1:58  Sheriff pinions his arms and legs.

1:54  The rope placed around his neck.  "Young men you must work to keep out of this.  I tell you it is bad".

1:55  The black cap is adjusted.

1:56  Trigger pulled, a dull thud and Sam Greer is in eternity.  The examining  physicians, Drs. Bryans, Mapp and Ellis, assisted by Drs. Bryon of Jackson, J. H. Bryans of Indian Springs and C. A. Butner, of Monticello make examinations.

2:10  Pronounced dead and the body taken down from the gallows.  The examining board examine his neck and find it is broken.

The body was then placed in a coffin and turned over to friends who carried it to his father's home three miles north of town.  It was buried at Stark at 2 o'clock on Saturday.

The execution was a perfect one.  Not a single hitch or any trouble whatever happened and the man died without a single struggle.  The large crowd, numbering six thousands or more were perfectly orderly.  The Negroes, especially, were as jovial as if going to and attending a circus.

OTHER HANGINGS

Forty eight years has passed since Buts county has had a public execution.  In October 1827 two white men named Thomas Leverett and Lud Watts were to be hanged at the same time.  Leverett willingly gave up but Watts, who by some means had gotten hold of an old pistol, resisted and the sheriff thinking it was loaded could not take him out.  The hour for execution passed and the sheriff, Samuel Clay, at once asked the governor for directions, who replied that Wattts should be forced from the jail and executed at the first opportunity.  He was finally overpowered by perishing, and on Monday surrendered and was hanged on that day on the same gallows that Leverett had died.  His wife was present at the hanging and took charge of the body and carried it to Monroe county for burial.

   Leverett's body was buried in the rear of Mr. Frank McKibben's on Third street, where his bones now rests.  Leverett was hanged for killing a man named Bryun near the residence of Mr. Joe Carmichael.  Watts killed a man on the line of Butts and Monroe named Denton Danil.  Both Watts and his victim were Monroe county citizens.  

In the Spring of 1848 a Negro named Harrison was hanged for rape.  He was executed near the colored Methodist church on First street.

   In 1870, by the Barlow murdered old man McClusky near Iron Springs.  On the motion of his attorneys his case was transferred to Spalding County where he was tried, found guilty and hanged.  

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of October 20, 1891

Dead from Poison, And a Whole Family Narrowly Escapes

On Monday morning Mrs. D. J. Spencer and her cook, an old colored woman named Mary Bledsoe were poisoned by drinking coffee. Coffee was prepared for breakfast in the ordinary way and set on the table.  Mr. Spencer and Mr. Ben Dillard, who was boarding with the family, not being accustomed to drinking coffee did not take any, but Mrs. Spencer took a cup and drank a few spoon full and on account of it burning her throat set it away, not dreaming that it contained a deadly poison.  The woman who prepared the meal then sat down and ate a hearty breakfast drinking two cups of coffee.  Shortly after the meal was finished Mrs. Spencer complained of being sick and began to vomit.  She Bledsoe woman also turned sick and began to vomit. Drs. Ellis and Bryan were quickly called.  They pronounced it poison and began their best efforts to relieve the sufferers. They succeeded in relieving Mrs. Spencer, who had only tasted the deadly draft but the cook continued to grow worse and died at 2 o'clock.

   Dr. Bryans is making an analysis of the coffee but it is not yet complete and he is not prepared to say what the poison was.  

How it got into the coffee is a mystery.  No one can think that it was an attempt to kill the family for not one of them had an enemy in the world.

Middle Ga. Argus - Week of November 1, 1891