Crawford County Obituaries
June 1894
The Butler Herald
Tuesday, June 26, 1894
Page Two
A Sad Difficulty
Mr. W.H. Dent and Mr. O.P. Wright, of Crawford County, Engage in Deadly Combat
Death of Mr. Wright
News was received in the city yesterday of a desperate encounter that took place
between Messrs. West Dent and O.P. Wright of Crawford County on Wednesday, which
was election day in that county. The difficulty originated at Dent’s store at
Roberta, but Uncle Ira Jennigs (Jennings?), who brought the information, was
unable to learn the full
particulars of its origin further than that Mr. Wright made several remarks
about some one and was commanded by Mr. Dent to desist. Mr. Wright
continued his remarks and Mr. Dent, who is a powerful man, knocked him down.
After knocking him down, Mr. Dent began beating Mr. Wright, who managed to get
out his knife and cut Mr. Dent across the abdomen. When the men were separated
Mr. Wright went across the street to Ray’s drug store, but was followed by Mr.
Dent, who had armed himself with a pitchfork, and with his entrails protruding
out walked into the store and attacked Mr. Wright with the pitchfork by plunging
it into his side. He then beat Mr. Wright over the head with the fork
blades until pulled off by his brother. Mr. Wright fought as best he could
while being attacked with the fork, but was at a disadvantage. Both men will in
all probability die from the effects of their injuries. Mr. Wright’s skull
was crushed by the fork and he is otherwise injured. Mr. Dent is said to
be bleeding internally and at last accounts was in a precarious position. –
Macon Telegraph From parties who have just come from Roberta inform us that Mr.
Wright died on Saturday morning. It is probable that Mr. Dent will
recover.
The Butler Herald
Tuesday, July 10, 1894
Page Three
The Dent Killing
A Verdict for Voluntary Manslaughter Rendered in it
West Dent was tired at Knoxville last Thursday for murder. Six justices of
the peace from all over the county tried him, and it was found that he was
guilty of voluntary manslaughter. He proved that a pitchfork was stuck in
his side
before he started to work, which was his strong plea. The weak point was
that he became enraged and continued to strike his opponent after he was down.
He was placed under a $3,000 bond.
The Butler Herald
Tuesday, December 11, 1894
Page Two
Dent Acquitted
Result of an Interesting Murder Trial At Knoxville
Knoxville, Ga., Dec. 5th –
W.H.Dent, on trial for the murder of O.P. Wright, in Crawford Superior Court
today, was acquitted. The trial was commenced yesterday, with Judge Hardeman
presiding. It took some time to get a jury, but after this was done the
trial progressed rapidly, although there were a large number of witnesses
examined. The courtroom was crowded throughout the trial on account of the
prominence of both parties to the tragedy, and when the jury returned a verdict
of not guilty, Dent’s friends gathered around him to extend congratulations.
Dent killed Wright several months ago with a pitchfork and was himself badly
injured.
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Last updated Tuesday, November 07, 2006