Camden County, GA Crime Stories

Camden County Crime Stories

Bloody Work in Camden, Ga July 31, 1869

Editor Savannah Republican: Sir: I write to give you the particulars of a very unfortunate tragedy which occurred in this county on Wednesday last, 28th inst. Two freedmen, Julius Jacobs and Edward Tison, in the employ of the Norwich Lumber Company, went to the log landing of Burwell A. Brown, a white man, on White Oak river, in this county, for the purpose of rafting some mill logs which the said brown had cut. While engaged in getting the logs ready, Burwell A. Brown and his two sons, Simon and Burwell, appeared at the landing, Simon armed with a double barreled gun. An altercation at once took place between Jacobs and B. A. Brown in regard to a previous difficulty in which young Burwell Brown and Jacobs had been concerned. It is said that a struggle took place between Jacobs and Simon Brown, which resulted in Jacobs getting a knife and the gun from Simon, and that he threw away the knife and handed the gun to Edward Tison, who was standing or sitting near, and who, up to that time, had taken no part whatever in the affair – telling Tison to keep the gun at all hazards, as, if he gave it up to brown, he would be shot. Unfortunately Tison gave up the gun to Simon Brown upon a promise that he would not shoot. As soon as the gun was given up, Jacobs ran off, getting behind a building which stood near at hand. Burwell A. Brown caught the gun from his son Simon's hands and tried to shoot Jacobs as he ran, but failing to do so, turned the gun upon Tison, who had apprehended no danger to himself, and immediately shot him dead on the spot, the charge entering his left side below the heart and passing entirely through the body. Meantime Jacobs had got some distance away, but not so far but that Brown succeeded in getting a shot at him, hitting him with one buckshot on his right shoulder blade, inflicting a slight wound.

Circumstances may transpire which will put a different aspect upon the case, but so far it looks like a case of wilful murder. A warrant for the arrest of Brown has been taken out. It is said that all the parties were perfectly sober, but that Jacobs was somewhat insulting in his language to Brown.

The day after the shooting the affair was reported at Satilla Mills by Jacobs, when some fifteen or twenty negroes, employed at the mills, armed themselves and proceeded up the river to Vernon plantation, where Tison's family belonged, intending to meet others there and take summary vengeance on Brown and his family. Tison's family and two white men from Satilla Mills succeeded in dissuading them from this design, however, and they turned back after reaching Vernon. As the foremost boat approached the dock at Satilla Mills one of the negroes, named John Nelson, put out his hand to shove her off from some logs which she was running against, and by some means discharged his own gun, which was pointing towards him, and killing himself instantly. - at the same time shooting Wm. Thomas through his left arm just above the elbow. An inquest was held on the body of Nelson, at which the above facts transpired.

A good deal of excitement exists among the negroes in regard to this sad occurrence, but it is hoped that no evil consequences will result to the community. Should anything occur I will keep you informed...Very respectfully yours, Camden County.

[Daily Columbus Enquirer August 6, 1869 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

The Georgia Weekly Telegraph November 30, 1875

St. Mary's November 13, 1875

The adjourned term of Camden Superior Court has but recently ended. The results of its labors are, that were are to have an execution of four criminals on the 17th day of December. Two of them are two of the three negroes engaged in the murder of young Charley Lang who in the night called to the door of the store he had in charge, pretending they wished to buy something; he had gone to bed but arose to oblige them, and upon opening the door was shot in the breast, his heart being pierced by nearly the whole charge of buckshot, killing him instantly. The murderers then went a short distance in front of the store and lay down on the grass waiting to see if their shooting attracted any one, (the store being some distance from any house), remaining there until after eleven o'clock, when they returned to the store and robbed his clothing of watch and chain, gold buttons and pin, and took all the money from the drawer and a quantity of goods. They were captured in Florida, near Kings' Ferry, by a negro officer who wounded one severely, after being shot at himself. The third was acquitted, as it was shown by evidence and confessions that he was forced to join them; and also compelled to receive part of the money to prevent his betraying them; and that he also endeavored to persuade them not to kill the young man, and succeeded in inducing them to relinquish their intention of setting fire to the store after the robbery. He may thank Col. M. L. Mershon whose able, eloquent, and voluntary effort in placing the facts properly before the jury and court, saved his life as he has nothing but thanks to pay. Another (criminal) case where the death sentence was passed presents some unusual features.

The prisoner, Joshua Pinckney, (negro) was a party to the murder of Dr. Eaton ten years go, in a manner much similar to that of young Lang, and within two miles of the same place. Pinckney was arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced (by Judge Sessions) to be hung, a short time after the murder. He escaped from jail at Jeffersonton (then the county seat) and has been at large ever since; but having ventured to return to the vicinity of the place where his crime was committed, in the early part of this year he was recaptured by a negro officer and lodged in the county jail now at St. Marys. The case apparently only called for resentence, but when the prisoner was brought in court for that purpose (at the last Spring term in April) he (through his counsel) denied being the same Joshua Pinckney who was sentenced to be hanged and escaped from jail ten years ago. Positive witnesses as to his identity not being available, his case had to remain over until the present term, when his identity was completely established by many, among whom were his own brother and his former owner. The case was not tried as a criminal case but simply as a trial of identity.

One other criminal case in which the death sentence was passed was that of John B. Petty, who murdered a man named Allen in this county in the summer of 1864, by shooting him from the bushes by the roadside as Allen was riding in a cart. The prisoner had escaped arrest until the present year, when he was obtained by “requisition” from Florida. Petty was a soldier (until his desertion) in the regiment and under the command of Lieut. Colonel, now Judge John L. Harris. The short address by the Judge to the prisoner previous to passing the sentence was extremely affecting. “How little he thought when they were doing their duty together in the same regiment 'at the front,' that it would ever become his painful duty to pass the sentence of death upon a man whom he had only known as a brave soldier wounded on the field of battle, etc.” The voice of the Judge became so tremulous with suppressed but unconcealed emotion that he could not have continued without breaking down entirely. Uncontrolled tears dropped freely from many eyes in the court room during the address.

The executions are not to be made public exhibitions, but will take place within the high inclosure which surrounds the jail, which will probably deter hundreds from the surrounding country from disturbing the usual quiet of our little town to gratify a savage curiosity. I do not mean that everything is always quiet here. The large gang saw mills of S. L. Burns & Co. are slashing away as usual, and “as usual” means all the time. Panics, dull markets, hard times never stop them, and they never postpone pay day. The firm were in the same business here before the war, and during the war the mills were destroyed. Afterward they rebuilt their mills, and made advances of money, mules, provisions, etc. to needy parties all through this and adjoining counties, as also in Florida, to enable them to go to work cutting and furnishing timber for their mills, and support themselves thereby. An if they (B. & Co.) do monopolize all the business and people of this section, they have done so without a competitor. They have furnished and do now furnish employment and supplies to hundreds of families, when nearly all other mills were forced to suspend, hardly being able to get enough for their lumber to cover the cost of the logs and sawing, and it has been so now for over a year. But if Burns & Co. are not making money their help do not feel it. Having the world for a market, and unequaled facilities for getting timber from different sources with their many steamboats, I think they are holding their own, at least, if not gaining a little. I know their credit must be above par, for the storekeepers here eagerly exchange greenbacks for their checks. They have, besides, their mills an extensive machine shop, stocked with tools; a brass foundry capable of casting all their own work for their mills and for their steamboats, which ply the waters from Darien to the St. John's and up and down all the rivers between, getting timber, towing vessels in and out, carrying mails and loads of groceries, goods, etc., to the landings, and frequently almost to the doors of their long men, who may smile if they are joked about belonging to Burns & Co.; if he did not believe the condition of the sleek, plump, well fed and warmly housed dog was far preferable (even if he bore the mark of a collar, which showed that he was appreciated,) to that of the lean, famished and “independent” wolf. For, after all, who is independent? [The Georgia Weekly Telegraph November 30, 1875 - submitted by Dena Whitesell]

A Murder in Camden County – We learn from a gentleman who arrived in this city last evening by the Gulf road that Dr. H. Eaton, residing in Camden county, in this State was killed last Monday night by a squad of negroes, who called the deceased out of his house and shot him down as he approached them. Considerable excitement prevailed among the negroes in the neighborhood on Monday morning, the origin of which is not know to our informant, which led, doubtless, to the murder at night. The civil authorities attempted to arrest the murderers on Tuesday, but were successfully resisted by a mob of negroes who proclaimed that the guilty parties should not be arrested. It was reported, however, that the Sheriff had raised a sufficient posse on Wednesday to arrest the murderers and their accomplices. [Georgia Weekly Telegraph July 9, 1866 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

A daring and most brutal murder was committed in this neighborhood on the night of the 29th instant, by a gang of negroes, on the person of Dr. R. H. Eaton. The circumstances are as follows: The day before the Doctor had caused a negro to be arrested by the sheriff of the county, under a warrant for malicious mischief, and lodged in jail. About eight o'clock in the evening, or just after dark, while the Doctor was standing on his place with another man, a negro came up and called him out, saying that he wished to speak to him on some business. Not suspecting any treachery, the Doctor walked a few steps with the negro, when another negro was discovered concealed behind an outhouse. The latter negro, as soon as he was found out, started to run. The Doctor pursued him, and run up to a gang supposed to be about ten in number. The negroes fired twice at Dr. E., four buck shot, taking effect. Two pierced his bowels, one his groin, and one went through his arm. He lingered in great pain until about one o'clock p.m. The next day, when he died. None of the negroes have been arrested. Some apprehension is felt here for the safety for the white population. The negroes are largely in the majority, are well armed and very defiant. [The Daily Sun July 11, 1866 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

Brunswick Advertiser: In an altercation last week, in Camden County, between John Johns and Peter Redick, near Bailey's Mills, the former hurled a bottle at the latter, striking him in the breast, killing him instantly. These men were nearly related, Johns having married Redick's sister, and Redick having married John's sister. Too much whiskey we fear. [Georgia Weekly Telegraph March 4, 1881- Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

Brunswick, Oct 19 – Dan Mitchell (colored) was killed by his wife in Camden County on Thursday. Dan was a religious crank and had a habit of drinking. When under the influence of liquor he considered himself duly bound to Sacrifice his wife on the alter. His wife, was several times attacked before, but managed to escape him. Thursday she armed herself, and when Dan started the row she met him half way. He made a slash at her throat and she reciprocated with a pistol ball. It entered his head, and death was instantaneous. [Macon Weekly Telegraph October 20, 1889 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

Shot by a Negro

Philip Perrin, a commissary keeper in the employ of the South Brunswick Terminal Company, was shot by a negro last night at 8 o'clock. The shooting occurred at Gilliand's camp, in South Brunswick. Perrin became engaged in a difficulty with a force of hands, and one among them fired at him three times. One ball entered Perrin's left temple. The wound is not dangerous. [Macon Weekly Telegraph October 20, 1889 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

Savannah, Ga., Oct. 8 – J. S. Bailey, of the firm of Hillard & Bailey, large lumber dealers in Southeast Georgia, was killed on the Satilla River, in Camden County, last night, by one of his clerks, named Patterson. [The Weekly Telegraph October 15, 1890 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

St. Mary's, Feb. 11 – James King, a negro, charge with killing J. H. Seals, a white farmer near here Saturday, was shot to death by a posse in the western part of Camden County last night, according to statements of officers here today. They said they learned that King was killed when resisting arrest. The negro was charged with killing Seals when the latter caught him stealing hogs. [The Macon Daily Telegraph February 12, 1916 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

Jacksonville, Fla. - May 13 – Deputy Sheriff Jones of Camden County, Georgia, arrived here this morning and left in the afternoon with William Overman, who ran off with Ella Marr, the 14 year old daughter of J. I. Marr, who lives at King's Ferry on the St. Mary's River. The warrant for Overman, issued by the Camden County authorities, was sworn out by the girl's father and charges Overman with abducting the girl from the home of her father on Sunday, April 29. Overman claims that he “just wanted to show the girl a little of the world”. The girl has been returned to her parents. [The Macon Telegraph May 14, 1894 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

Mrs. Cary is charged with killing husband

Brunswick, Nov 7 – Mrs. Lula Cary, a pretty fascinating young woman, about 28 years of age, was lodged in the Camden County jail at St. Mary's by Sheriff Higginbotham yesterday afternoon, following an indictment against her on the charge of murdering her husband, whose death in Camden a few months ago caused considerable discussion from one end of the county to the other, owing to the fact that he died under peculiar circumstances.

An investigation was at once started and a few days later the Coroner's jury held an inquest. Mrs. Cary was held for the murder and George Roddenberry was held as an accomplice. However, later they were both released through a habeas corpus hearing before the ordinary of Camden County. The investigation was continued, and the body of the dead man was disinterred and the stomach sent to the state chemist in Atlanta, who later reported that there were plain signs of arsenic in the stomach of the dead man, a sufficient amount to produce death almost immediately.

With this evidence in hand the case was taken up by the Camden county grand jury this week and a true bill was returned Friday afternoon. Mrs. Cary was arrested and is now held in jail, bail having been refused her. It is understood that her attorney, S. C. Townsend, will make an effort this week to secure her release on bond. Roddenberry, who was previously held as an accomplice, was not indicted, there being no evidence to connect him in any way with the crime.

Mrs. Cary, it is charged, was infatuated with another man, and for this reason, it is charged, gave her husband the poison. This is the contention of the State, and it is expected that the case will be hard bought when the woman is arraigned for trial at the next session of the superior court in Camden. Mrs. Cary was reared near Kingsland and is well know all over Camden county. It is reported that she has been married two or three times. [The Macon Daily Telegraph November 8, 1915 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

Brunswick, Ga., Sept 13 – Sheriff Higginbotham of Camden county, has arrived to carry John Williams to the Camden county jail to await trial. Williams and Hyatt, two deck hands on the steamer Emmeline, while at Cabin Bluff three days ago got into a fight and Williams cut Hyatt with an ax. Both were brought to Brunswick, and Hyatt is recovering from his wounds, but nearly bled to death before reaching here. The trouble occurred in Camden county and on the regular run of the boat. [The Columbus Ledger September 13, 1911 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

Savannah, Ga. July 30 – United States Marshal Hurst arrested Henry and J. A. Riddick, of Camden County, at Tifton today for counterfeiting. They had been previously arrested for safe cracking and counterfeit silver dollars were found on their persons. They are believed to belong to a gang of counterfeiters who work in that section. [Columbus Daily Enquirer-Sun July 31, 1896 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

Savannah, Ga., April 28 – Three negroes, charged with the murder of John Z. Dotson, white, at Owen's ferry on the Satilla River, are under arrest in Camden County, and a lynching is imminent. When the dead man's brother, Agus Dotson, left the scene of the crime with his brother's body a posse was being organized with the ? Purpose of lynching the negroes. Dotson, formerly a Savannahian, was killed Saturday. Prince Gibbs and Adam Smith are claimed to be the murderers and Smith's father is said to have been implicated. Telegraphic communication with St. Mary's which is near the scene of activity, could not be secured from Savannah tonight. [The Macon Telegraph April 29, 1902 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]

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