The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]), 12 Oct. 1850 DISTRESSING HOMICIDE A gentleman writing from Anson county, under date of Oct 9th, says: The quiet of our community was disturbed on yesterday, 8th inst., by the announcement that one of our citizens, Mr. John D. Smith, a respectable, sober and industrious man, was murdered by Robert Morrison, also a resident of our village. Morrison, it appears, had been drunk for some time, and came in that day into the gin shop where he worked in the employment of Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith took hold of him and led him to the door, and told him not to return again until he became sober; whereupon Smith walked back into the shop. Morrison followed him, seized a hatchet, threw it at him, striking him on the head, inflicting a wound from which he died in a few hours. This sad event is well calculated to cast a gloom over our society, and is particularly so when we reflect on the peculiar circumstances of the case. Morrison, although addicted to the cursed vice of intemperance, has always been regarded as a clever inoffensive citizen. Smith had always been his patron and friend-had thrown the veil of charity over his foibles, and had helped him in his difficulties, for which kindness Morrison had often expressed his gratitude, and no doubt felt what he professed; yet from the influence of liquor, he has deprived his friend of life, and has distroyed the peace of his soul. Only a few years since Morrison, in one of his fits of mania-a potu, cut his own throat, narrowly escaping with his life. John D. Smith b. 27 July 1806 d. 7 October, 1850 Buried Eastview Cemetey, Wadesboro, Anson County, NC (several additional members John's family are buried in this cemetery) Bridges
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.), 23 March 1922 MR. GEORGE M. SMITH DEAD Last Legal Branding in North Carolina Recalled Mrs. E.F. Fenton on March 13 received a telegram stating that her brother, Mr. George D. Smith, had died that day at his home in Fordyce, Ark. Mr. Smith moved from Anson to Arkansas 30 or more years ago, and was very successful in his adopted state. He ws a son of John D. Smith, in his day a prominent citizen of Anson, and of Mrs. Lilla Jacobs Smith. He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Sallie Sturdivant, of this county, and by several children; also by one brother Thomas D. Smith of Patrick, S.C., and three sisters, Mrs. E.F. Fenton, Mrs. M.J. Roscoe, and Miss Rosa Smith of Rockingham, NC. INTERESTING HISTORY The death of Mr. Smith recalls an interesting bit of history related by Mr. E.F. Fenton. John D. Smith was killed by a white man named Morrison in the days before the war between the states. Morrison was employed by Smith, who discharged him on account of drunkenness. Enraged, Morrison picked up a hatchet and threw it at Smith, hitting him in the head and inflicting a wound which resulted in death. Morrison was tried, and, as the crime was not premeditated, escaped with his life. The penalty was that he be branded in the right hand with a large "M." The procedure of branding was a follows: The right hand was placed in a vise and so tied that it could not be moved. The red hot iron was then applied to the palm of the hand and held against it for the length of time it took the convicted man to say "God save the state" three times. Naturally he talked fast. According to Mr. Fenton's recollection this was the last branding under legal forms in the history of the state, a law being passed doing away with this penalty shortly thereafter.
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