Georgia Genealogy Trails "Where your Journey Begins"

Union County, Georgia
Obits and Death Notices

Union County, Georgia
Death

Eight-Year-Old Son of Edward T. Smith Died from Too Much Whisky
Blairsville, Ga., April 17.—Edward T. Smith has been indicted by the Grand jury of Union county for murder. Several weeks ago he brought home a jugful of whisky and invited his eight-year-old son to share it with him. The little boy drank over half a gallon of whisky, from which he died in horrible agony before daylight. For this crime the people propose to punish the father as a murderer.
[Dodge City Times, Dodge City, Kansas, Published May 14, 1885, submitted by C. Danielson]

Murder of Lance by Swain
Georgia juries are even more peculiar than those in other parts of the country. Frank Swain was a notorious moonshiner in the neighborhood of Blairsville, Ga., and a particularly tough citizen on general principles.
Rev. G. H. Lance was an eloquent and popular Methodist minister, who “rode the Blairsville circuit.” In one of his sermons he denounced the wickedness of moonshining; Swain was deeply offended, waylaid him as he was returning from his meeting, and literally cut him to pieces.
Swain was found guilty of the murder, but the jury recommended him to the mercy of the court. Unfortunately, the basis of this recommendation is not given to the public. Whether it was that Swain merely acted as the agent of the community in properly rebuking a minister for attacking one of the most cherished industries of the Georgia mountains, or whether they felt that Methodist ministers were getting too numerous in that section, and it was desirable to reduce the number, we are left to conjecture.
[The National Tribune, Washington, D. C., Published June 05, 1890, submitted by C. Danielson]


Obituaries

James Cavender
Mr. James Cavender Shot and Killed Himself
Blairsville, GA., May 21.—Mr. James Cavender, of Gaddistown, about twenty miles south of this place, committed suicide at his home yesterday by shooting himself in the head with a shot gun. It is supposed that temporary insanity was the cause of his committing suicide.
Mr. Cavender was a well to do farmer and was regarded as one of the very best citizens of Union County. He was about 55 years of age. He leaves a wife and several children.
This is said to be the first suicide in the history of Union County.
[Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, Published May 22, 1908, submitted by C. Danielson]

J. B. Downs
Postmaster Killed
Shot Down By Former Legislator With Whom He Had Quarreled
Blairsville, Ga., January 18.—Postmaster J. B. Downs, of this place, was shot and killed yesterday by Former Representative Berry, of Union county. The quarrel that ended in the killing is said to have arisen over a disputed land line. The killing took place at the residence of Dr. Berry, where Downs had called. About ten shots were exchanged, it is said.
[Times Dispatch, Richmond, VA., Published Thursday, January 19, 1911, submitted by C. Danielson]