John Brownlee Killed

In a -crap game- last Sunday just over the line in Monroe county, Henry Benton killed John Brownlee.
The negroes were in a pine orchard drinking and playing cards when a difficulty arose. The Brownlee negro said he was going home after a shot gun and if Benton was there when he come back he was going to kill him.
Sure enough he reappeared soon after with a shot gun but Benton was to quick for him, for, pulling a pistol he centered hi in the forehead and Brownlee was hauled out of the pine orchard a dead Negro.
Benton was captured and turned over to Sheriff Crawford, who will give him up to the authorities of Monroe. Benton was under a $500 bond for killing another Negro, Mr. Lum Garr being his bondsman and it likely that Benton will be tried here for murder before being given up to the authorities of Monroe.
(Jackson Argus - Butts County - Week of October 5, 1900)

Submitted by Don Bankston