News Account of the Death of J. J. Sayer 21 Feb 1907 Elbert County, GA

The Elberton Star Feb 21, 1907

J.J. Sayer Murdered
Says a Coroner's Jury of Madison County

Mr. J. J. Sayers was killed Monday night about 10:00 in Madison County
by Henry Bragg. The killing occurred at Bragg's home in Harrison 
district, which is the only district of Madison County on this side of
the Broad River.

An old time musket was the weapon used. Bragg shot Sayers in the right 
arm near the shoulder and then beat him over the head and body with the 
barrel of the gun. Dr. Ridgeway, of Royston, says the gunshot would alone 
would have produced death.

Mr. Sayers was a one-armed man. He left Elberton Monday morning driving a
delivery wagon for the Elberton Bottling Works. His duties were to deliver
goods and collect for the company. He traveled over three or four counties.

It seems that Mr. Sayers and a man named Dean went to the Bragg home Monday
night. There were present Henry Bragg, his wife, a woman named Babe Bryant,
Mr. Sayers, and Dean. Some of them were drinking, and it is reported that
Bragg had liquor there.

There is a conflict in the evidence at the coroner's inquest held Tuesday 
as to what led up to the difficulty in which Sayers was killed. The 
coroner's jury pronounced the crime murder, and Bragg is held in Madison 
County jail. Bragg claims he acted in self-defense.

Mr. Sayers was a hard working man and when at himself was agreeable. He was
liked by all who knew him. He leaves a wife and seven children, the 
youngest child being about a year old. They live on a farm near 
Ruckersville.

His remains were interred at Stinchcomb Church Wednesday afternoon at 4
o'clock. The unfortunate tragedy is deeply deplored by all who knew Mr. 
Sayers.


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