Crawford County GaArchives News.....Murder of O.P. Wright - 1894 June 26 1894
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Carla Miles http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002476 July 25, 2004, 10:04 pm

The Butler Herald
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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