Newspaper abstracts from the 1890's for Marion County, GA

Newspaper Abstracts mentioning Marion County GA

1890's

Marion County GAGenWeb

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Columbus Daily Enquirer, 9 Dec 1891:

A Terrible Tragedy; A fatal difficulty reported from Marion County

Hon. S B Storey and his brother Rufus dying. W R Upton charged with the deed.

Buena Vista, December 8, 1891. Special. At 5:00 this evening Mr. G. O Chawley reached the city, bringing the news of a terrible tragedy in the Pineville District. According to the meager information in his possession, Hon. S B Storey and his brother Rufus Storey, became involved in a difficulty with Mr W R Upton, in which S B Storey was instantly killed, and his brother shot and stabbed, and is thought to be dying. It is impossible to learn the cause of the difficulty, or any further particulars of the tragedy.

The Storeys were among the most prominent planters in Marion County. Mr S B Storey represented the County in the legislature. They were both well known in Columbus,

Mr Upton is also a prominent planter of the Pineville District.

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Columbus Daily Enquirer, December 10, 1891:

The Marion County Tragedy. Further Particulars learned from Buena Vista People yesterday.

The following facts regarding the terrible tragedy, which occurred near Buena Vista on Tuesday. An account was given in a special telegram to the Enquirer-Sun, were obtained from people who came from that place yesterday; Mr S G Story was killed instead of S B Story as originally reported. It seems that Story had previously had trouble with Upton, who did the killing, about rent, and Tuesday, S B Story, accompanied by his brother Rufus, went to Upton's house to have a settlement. On the arrival of the Storys, Upton was not at home, whereupon they decided to wait for his return and began to unhitch the horse they were driving. While the Messers Story were thus engaged, W R Upton and son came up and it is stated, without warning, began cutting the Storys. S G Story was instantly killed. His brother Rufus was stabbed in several places, and is not expected to live. It is heard that an inquest was held over the body of Story yesterday morning and that the Coroners jury found that the deceased came to his death at the hands of W R Upton, and that the same was murder. Both the Uptons have fled and Sheriff Rushin is in pursuit. It was thought they would be overtaken last night in Stewart County. Mr Story, the deceased, left a wife and three children. He was about 38 years of age, and one of the most prominent planters in Marion County. His grief stricken family have the deepest sympathy of the people in the vicinity, and the affair is deeply regretted by the people of Marion. Mr Story had a great many friends in Columbus, who feel a great interest in the deplorable affair.

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Columbus Daily Enquirer, April 29, 1892:

Notes from Buena Vista:

Our Superior Court is progressing finely. Judge Martin and Mr Carson, his solicitor, are making fine impressions on our people as usual.

We formed a Democratic Club for Marion County at the court house last night with 200 members. Mr J. R. Short was made chairman and Mr E Shepard secretary.

The grand jury failed to find a bill against Mr W R Upton, as an accessory to the murder of Mr Story.

Messrs S B Hatcher, G Y Tignor, and Morgan McMichael each made speeches to the Democratic Club last night, and each of the orators did well.

Mr Elsie Shepard, of this place, was admitted to the bar here today and he made a fine showing in his knowledge of Blackstone, and we predict for him a fine future.

Col M H Blandford, Hon T W Grimes, S B Hatcher, Morgan McMichael, B S Miller, J H Worrill, and G Y Tignor are here; also Capt Henry Parsons and Judge Mathis of Talbotton; Mr J H Lumpkin, and Wallace Bros, and Mr Dodson of Americus, with out local bar except Col E M Butt who is on the sick list.

W R Upton was brought back this evening under a warrant by Mr Story, entered by Judge Martin.

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Columbus Daily Enquirer, 15 Apr 1893:

From the Marion County Patriot

There was a little excitement created in town Sunday afternoon by a report that the Hogg Boys had been see a short distance from town. men were hurrying excitedly to and fro hunting up firearms to go out in search of them, but it seemed to be a case of mistaken identity and a first class local item was spoiled. Those fellows who could almost feel the $500 reward jingling in their pockets were also sadly disappointed. Uncle Matthew Melton, in his characteristic of gesticulation, was positive he saw the Hogg boys and he expressed it thus: "Bless God, they were the Hogg boys. You can't fool me". No doubt the Hogg boys are by this time far away, and if they could know what happened Sunday afternoon they would laugh in their sleeves. The Hoggs after enjoying their liberty for 3 weeks since the killing, were not foolish enough to come within sight of Buena Vista unless they came to give up, and that is not probable.

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Columbus Daily Enquirer, Nov 20, 1898:

Alleged Slayer of Old Man Mitson Melton was brought to city yesterday afternoon. Sheriff Baker arrived from Buena Vista at 5:20 yesterday afternoon in charge of Oliver P Jones, charged with the murder of old man Mitson Melton in Marion County, some 16 years ago. Jones was first confined in jail at Americus but was taken to Buena Vista on the date fixed for the opening of the court there. As the court was continued over, Judge Butt ordered the prisoner brought to this city. Jones still insists that he is not the man wanted. the murdered man, Mitson Melton lived in Red Bone district of Marion County and an old feud existed between the deceased and Jones. Someone called the old man to his gate one night about 16 years ago and shot him. he died a few hours later, stating on his death bed that he was satisfied that Jones was the man who fired the shot. the young man was placed under arrest and confined in Buena Vista jail. Pending his trial he escaped. Three or four years ago a gentleman from Marion County, while out west, identified the prisoner now held as Jones. The man denied his identity and fought the case in the courts. At the end of three years the case was finally decided against him and and he was brought back to Georgia to stand his trail. The man, Jones lived in Columbus and conducted a saloon here at the time of the killing of Melton.

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Columbus Daily Enquirer, Jan 14, 1899:

The semi-annual session of the Marion Superior Court will be called to order next Monday morning. Perhaps the most interesting case to come before it will be that the murder case of Oliver P Jones, who is charged with the murder of old man Mitson Melton eighteen years ago. the full particulars of the case, which are interesting have been published in the Enquirer Sun. the outcome of the case will be awaited with a great deal of interest.

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