Jasper-Newton County GaArchives News.....Murder at Covington, Ga.  December 28 1882
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Don Bankston http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00024.html#0005864 April 9, 2004, 8:39 pm

Middle Ga. Argus – Week of December 28, 1882
Murder at Covington, Ga.

Last Saturday evening about 3 o’clock.  Will Smith of Jasper County, and James 
Banks, of Newton County, met in a bar-room at Covington, Ga.  A quarrel arose 
about cards, and a scuffle ensued.  Smith was pressing it, while Banks was 
declining.  Smith, with a large navy pistol, a six shooter, shot Banks through 
the body.  He staggered into the next door and expired.  The murderer ran.  He 
was pursued by white and colored men, and when overtaken, Alexander Hendricks, 
colored, with a rock in his hand, ordered him to stop.  He was turned upon by 
the murderer and shot through the body.  He fell.  Then another pursuer fired 
at Smith, putting a ball through his hat.  Sheriff Anderson with a posse, came 
up with the murderer about a mile distant south of the town, and he was seen to 
hide himself behind a pile of brush.  Anderson was told of his position.  
Riding up, he demanded Smith’s surrender.  At the peril of his life, he was 
taken by the sheriff.  When the officer, with Smith, arrived in the town, the 
scene was indescribable.  A yell was raised and the crowd ran to meet them, 
crying out, “Kill him;” let us hang him.”  There was a large crowd in town and 
it was with difficulty that Smith could pass through the streets.  Excitement 
is still high.  A strong guard is on duty, and the law will be executed.




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