Negro Killed at Flovilla

On last Tuesday Mr. J. M. Greer, a young farmer of near Flovilla, shot and killed a Negro named Freeman Sidney.

Sometime last year Mr. Greer-s brother Stobe Greer, was killed in Flovilla by Jim Ball, and this negro Sidney was present at the difficulty. In the former difficulty the coroner-s jury returned a verdict of justifiable homicide and Jim Ball was allowed to go free. Later he was re-arrested and had a preliminary trial when for the second time he was acquitted. The Greer family not being fully satisfied put the case before the grand jury which body sought to have Sidney before it as a witness, but he had left for parts unknown and could not be produced.

Sidney returned a short while ago and Butts Superior Court being near at hand J. M. Greer decided to mention the matter to the Negro last Tuesday and see if he would appear before the grand jury at its coming session. During their conversation, it seems that Sidney became offended at Greer and started toward him with an open knife. Greer kept him away by striking him several times, but was finally forced to shoot him in self defense, the ball from a 38 pistol entering the body just below the ribs of the left side passing through the body and death resulting at once.

Coroner McKleroy was summoned and an inquest held, the jury rendering a verdict of justifiable homicide.

Jackson Argus- Butts County
Week of November 4, 1898

 

Submitted by Don Bankston