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t- . .'- v * w ( - ? .-./ 'v ' ' X'jflF*' '"f v ' ' Hsl ?l)i? 0iapntrb-2uuits j|??| i i, i I i VOLUME NO. 51 * LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY,. AUGUST ID, 1921. NUMBER 42 . ' ; y.. , "; ' . ' i' ft $ *. v.;.-'v*-' AUGUST WAS S( BRUT/ v ?ti' N'a *>' V ; s' . Youiig Columbia 1 V\/ j^JL/ VVVVXX CV c/ -1^ tempt to Lyi " . v - Ks?t'William Brazell, 19 years old, a taxi driver of Columbia, was foullymurdered ;80me time early Monday mornibfef ph the Augusta highway and hl% booy^wirown In the woods at a point about 200 yards from the home OI Mr. t.. Hi. nisiBgur, nuL mr juoni Leesville. Fred Kinard and Plnckney Swygert? two Leesville boys, members of a searching party, were the first to discover the body. Brazell was clubbed over the head with a blackjack and stabbed to death with ,. . -a knife, there being three stab "V wounds, one in the right lung producing death. The details of the crime ;VifrBveal it, as one of the most brutal . :4*?rwhich lias occurred in South Casolina in a long time. F. J. Kirby, C. O. Fox and Jesse Gappins,} three white men of Columbia, are being held in custody, charged with ^thc crime. They were arrested near Waynesboro, Ga., when the Cadillac car, stolen from young Brazell, balked by reason of tire trouble. All of the men are said to be married, hut not living with their families. They are all Columbians. According to a confession ^a|.d to have been made to the polic.e." liv-. Augusta by Kirby, the three men employed Brazell, ostensibly to bring them Into Lexington county t<j see some "girls." Somewhere near Lees* viiifr titer aWlWKP^nrgzwtt n "wywesif with a blackjack and, although the boy begged for liis life, offering to allow them to take the car with im fs v' i , * ... punity, his life was taken, the knife which was the instrument of his death, being twisted in his body when ? the murderer plunged the steel into him. After putting Brazoll out of the way, the men took possession of the car and had proceeded beyond A\igusta when tire trouble was encountered: The others insisted that Kirby wire to Columbia for money, but instead he called officers of the law and the trio were placed in jail in Augusta and the Richland and Lexington au; * .'-,,\^thorities notified. Sheriff Itoof of Lexington and Sheriff Heise of Richland repaired to Augusta and brought Kirby back to the scene of the crime in order that he might locate the body, but it was found bv the search' - ing party before Kirby had located the place. Kirby was brought to ;'1-' I.exington and placed in jail, hut late Tuesday afternoon he was removed ' by Rural Policemen Asbill and Lown to the state penitentiary for safekeeping. The other two men are being still held in Augusta to prevent a possible lynching. Threat of Lynching. As the news of the murder spread feeling in Columbia ran very high s.'v and numbers of automobiles loaded with men passed through Lexington T* v Tuesday with the Intention of inter, / cepting Sheriff Roof, who had gone j_ . . iu<^- ugusT.H inrenuing n? i>ring me men to the penitentiary. Solicitor Callison "warned tlie sheriff after reaching Augusta c f the threat of lynching and the latter decided t<? allow the men to ifirui;n in Augusta. Oy the way ha eh he was intercepted by a crowd of about 200 men. who when they woe satisfied that the prisoners were not present, quietly returned to Columbia. Curing Tuesday night a party also came to the jail in search of Ivirby, but when they learned that he was already in the penitentiary they returned to Columbia! It is generally believed that had the sheriff attempted to bring the prisoners from Augusta Tuesday there would have been a lynching, as practically all avenues of entrance into Qolum, bla were being watched. The Inquest.. v Coroner Weed went to Leesvllle Tuesday and empannelled the following jury to servo at the inquest: M. B. Derrick, foreman1, N. S. Oeiger, W. A. Hose, B. C. White, J. B. Wuthins, IV. fe'. Bolt; Jr., J. B. V I A ROAD iL CRIME transfer Driver Cut ad of Night?Atnch Suspects. ! r'il Thompson, M. S. Kyzer, S. D. fShealy, C. Craps, J. B. Reynolds. '( Dr. D. M. Crosson testified before the jury as to the nature of the wounds and the cause of death, and 1 the inquest was adjourned until 10 o'clock Friday morning-. The body was then taken to Columbia, where .funeral services were held Wednes' day. Aside from the confession said to have been made, the web of circumstantial evidence seems to be woven tightly around the men. They were taken with the blood-stained car which was driven by Brazell and the clothes of one of them are said to be covered with blood stains. Court Meets Soon. The next term of the criminal ; court will convene at Lexington on the second Monday in September, and will be presided over by Judge T ,omas S. Sease of Spartanburg, solicitor Callison will insist upon a speedy trial for the accused men. Kirby's Confession" Following is the confession of Kii'by, made to the Augusta police soon after the arrest of the three men. and it is substantiated in detail by the circumstantial evidence: Kirby Makes Statement. "About 10 or 11 o'clock these two fellows were about a half a block . \V!??okin?? m**- ?-m* off to get a negro. They told .me to get big Bill, the fat negro, in his car. When Bill come in he and his driver were having some words about some soldiers. 1 went across and got another car which they told me to get if 1 did not get big Bill's car. I come back and big Bill said his car was WV41. ? uuiu III.- 1MU1V Ill UDUUl <iU minutes, but they had tohl me if I di<l not get liiin to come right straight back. We all three went up Assembly street t"? even with the postollice and turned up to the hotel by the postoftice to see if there was a Cadillac there. " There was no Cadillac there and Cappins said all the drivers there knew hint. They went qn the left hand side of Main street coming down and made me come down the right hand side. I met Mr. Allen, one of the two plain clothes men. i stopped to talk with him. He asked me if I was still living at the same place. 1 told him yes. They were on the oth-r side of the street. We went on down and they motioned Tor me to come back on Assembly street. They came up to me and asked me what I was talking to Mr. Allen for, and they asked me if 1 told Allen they were going oil with some girls, and that if I did they would cut my infernal head off. They sent me back to the same place and said that if I could not get the negro to go across the street and get a white man's Cadillac. They had already made me go down the street about a half dozen times until my toes were blistered ana aerosk the top of my feet. Met at Depot. "i come and met them at the Seaboard depot. 1 got the Cadillac and WlMlt ti? tliA 'I'lioi- * * ... ..... nv,> iMIll UUl there l>ut (irtne in a low minutes. They told mo to toll him to drive towards I.exington. They were fcoing about two miles this side of l^exington to got some girls. "We come over 1 there and I had to .stop and get out of the ear myself. Oappins got out of the car. Ho tolil me to Keep telling the driver that he had not come n.- iu .?< i. iuiu uiiuMi'i 1111 im saui um was far enough. ''We drove for about 12 miles this side gf Lexington, Gappin said, till we had done passed the house. The dead man (Brazell) turned around and looked at his gas and said that he did not have enough to go back to Columbia and turned back around and went t?? Leesville, S. C. I got out to wake up a gentleman. He told me to go wake up auoth ?r gentleman r across the street. This 'gentleman got up and' let him have ton gallons of gas. Then we started bqck towards Columbia. "We went five mttes. Gappins had him stop the car. We all got out and , stretched ourselves except Fox. Then < he took the front seat and made me get on the back seat. We started off and went about a mile. Fox said all the rest of you have got to get out but me. He .wanted the driver to , stop the car so he could get out. Fox opened the door and put one foot on the running board. He knocked the ] 'boy across the head. Gappins grab- | ibed the boy. Fox hit him three or , I four times, and then Gappins ; snatched him out of the car. Fox run around tile car and Gappins was * holding both of h'id hands. Fox had his knife in his hand and he stabbed him in the breast. He held it in the breast and worked it around. The boy was begging him not to kill him and said he would not^ell. 4&pplns , turned loose his hand and grabbed j his throat and threw him on the ground. Fox stabbed him three or four times. Fox said he would cut his dammed heart out of him and Gappins said that is all right. I have got his mdney. Left Body in Woods. "Thry told me to get out and help [' them to put him in the car. I got J out and they just picked him up andj threw him in the car.? They got in the front of the car an^made me gat in tiie back, and turned around and I . . . f t j cons*' towards L.eesvilie, s. (J. They I, drove down the road some 'Hlstance, I don't kr.ow hew far, into the woods, j They stopped the oar and took him l< out and. carried him into tlie woods, i | i told them that I could not, and j i ^ I i they got out and one of theifh hit me > j i?i the side and said "tret out; of the' way you are not worth a damn." The$ . took him out and carried him down i into the woods themselves. Tlteyj were not gone bus'# htUe hit. They j | come buck and' got in the car and , told me that if I ever told or men: tioned anything they would do me the ^ same way. We come on this way j (towards Augusta). I think it must , Hcrrr ahotrtr ^ -tdrlttck.?'1* thfdk * I the boy looked at his clock. The boy j liud said it was 2 o'clock and time for | | all of us to go home. . "We got to Augusta about o o'clock.! ' i I ! Wc broke down about S o'clock and i went 011 down to where the chaingang '> l Was working. They told nie to ask if j, ( we rould get a tire at the next station, i i they said they did not think so but,said if 1 would phone back to Augusta1 I I might have it sent out. Then they said 1 might get it at Waynesboro. \ "We ail went to the top of tlie hill f j to see if 1 could get tlie tire and to j j see if I could wire for some money, j' : 1 found 1 could not get either. Thev - I I told me tn stay there and Ret the tirst car that camy along and that it" 1 ' did not get "the one to walk to ' ('Waynesboro, and to wire for money. | and if 1 got the money to wait there at the depot for them, and the$' told J i nto that if I told anything that they! ! would give me the same thing they J i had given the hoy. ' "I stayed there some minutes and! ; ! a man and a lady come along, and j ; then 1 told them to teli a eluiingang j'guard to come up there; 1 wanted to I see him. 1 first asked them to take ! me to Waynesboro. They told me j they could not, they thought. We j , talked a minute or two. I told him j j about tlie trouble and he went and | j called for the sheriff to come, ne cornel I hack and 1 went to the work place j ! until the sheriff come, except ho and ' ' 1 got the car and brought it to the j ' work place. The number was taken j off the car while it was broke down i and thrown in the bushes, they stated, j and without the number the oJlicers J, I could not trace the car. iv\kbi-x'it: and faij: at midway. I . Don't forget the barbecue and fair. i'at Midway, August IS. Prices for' | dinner will 1>e 2",, 50 and 00 cents. ! i The admission into the fair will be 10 j and 15 cents. Refreshments will he i ! served and all kinds of amusements!1 will l?e carried on. Come one and all j i and enjoy tin- day. CHILDREN'S DAY AT CONdAUMli! I There will be a children's day at i Congareo Saturday, August 13. And on Sunday the protracted meeting be- ' gins with Rev. J. A. Brock of Loujrcns, S. ('. Everybody is invited to I come and enjoy these services with us. I J SCHOOL NEWS . (By Julius E. Sharpe, Supt. of Education. ! It is earnestly requested that dll iteachors' certificates be placed on record, tn.the Superintendent of Education's ' office. Teachers should send in their.->?c?Ugcates to be recorded before sehyBl'Opeiis. Trustees are requested to furnish the superintendent with the names of the teachers of the respective schools at the' earliest possible date. 3 'v Trustees in need of teachers are urged to.'communicate with Mr. Jas. H. Sht^aljr, jDept. of Education, Columbia, S:' C; The county superintendent also has^'the names and addresses of p. nuitiber of teachers and will be glad t6 aid you in getting teachers. i J^fjv Teachers and trustees who desire i a copy of the rules and regulations govprnin|r. the examination and certi- i ficatioh tpf teachers will be sent one < on reQutat. A new supply of the general dbhool laws is also expected ! at an eorty date. i The Steedman school is planning i the ereotion ,of a new school building, ready for occupancy at the opening of schpol. i ' , 1 Mr. jCWe Addy, a graduate of the ] Lexin^c^f high school and Clemson i College, "where he specified in agricul- j ture has been elected professor of 1 agriculture in the Lexington high I school'for the coming1 session. This)] is n riew course and the trustees of j ( the IjCj^lhgton school are to be con- ] | gratuldted upon securing the services! . ol' this* young man. > a ! ? v . ! The compulsory census reports of , the various districts are coming in very slowly. The time for filing these ' reportq with county superintendent is 1 up August'15th. The various hoards | I % of trustees aijp urged to have this report in by that d#tte. SPK<;iAl,4>imiAltV Fpn '6VY?KoihvrTrH The county Democratic executive j 1 committee met Monday morning and ordered a primary election to be held ' Tuesday, September 6, to fill the un- ' expired term in the otlice of judge of! 1 probate caused by the recent death \ ' of George S. Drafts. The assessment ; 1 for candidates was fixed at $30 and j 1 $30 additional for the winner in. the ' election. Tuesday. August 3 3, was ' set as the last day on which assess- 1 nients could be paid and pledges filed. : If a second primary shall be necessary it will be held two weeks after j' the first. 13. L. Wingard was elected treusur- 1 er for the committee in the coming election. j SWANSEA STORE BURGLARIZED SATURDAY Swansea. Aug. 8.?Thieves entered the store of Rubin & Peskin at this place Saturday night and took goods consisting of silk shirts, suits, silk I stockings and socks, shoes and 2 suit, cases. The parties got into the store! by breaking out a pane of the sky light. The booty is estimated at two i to three hundred dollars. Messrs. j Rubin & Peskin offer a liberal reward ' for the guilty parties. POTATO GROWERS WIRE HOLD IMPORTANT MEET i A meeting of the Lexington Potato Growers Association has been called for Friday, August 12, at 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon, in the Court house: to transact important business. All members are requested to be present at that time. The meeting will lie brief if punctual attendance is had. PINEY WOODS .PICNIC SATURDAY WEEK. The annual picnic oi l'iney Woods 1 local of the Farmers Union will lie*' held at the Piney Woods parsonage 1 on Saturday. August 20. The pro- i 1 gramme will be sure to prove of in- ' terest, and the 'l'iney Woods folks, certainly know how to serve a din- * nor second to none. A large crowd * is expected. \ <?->?&? ? j f The chaingang moved Tuesday all j \ tools iind machines, etc., down to t Cayce that all the roads in that vi- i cinity may he worked and put in t thorough repair. With the assistance \ of the government these roads will I i he equal to any in the county. I ? I CENTER RALLY WAS SUCCESSFUL AFFAIR. The thirteenth annual rally oC Center local of the Farmers Union was held Saturday, August 6 at Center school house, and though the crowd appeared to be slightly smaller than last year the day was particularly pleasant for those who were present. Ideal # weather conditions prevailed, adding materially to the pleasure of the occasion. Addresses were delivered < by T. Cushlng Daniel of "Washington, Hon. George K. Laney, state senator from Chesterfield, Hon. J. Clifton Rivets, state warehouse commissioner, and Hon. B. Harris, commissioner of agriculture. The deflation policy of the lumber of people present varied, but t would perhaps be safe to say that tt least 2,500 persons were present. The morning exercises were devoted to the singing of familiar hymns uul the addresses, chief of which ivas that of Dr. George 13. Cromer, of S'ev.berry, whcih was enjoyed by all who were fortunate enough to be tresent. The address of welcome was lelivered by Mr. Tally Marvin Roof. Rev. J. M. Senter of Chapin also lelivered an address which was very iii.rh enjoyed. A bounteous dinner was spread on i table under the trees and although lie assembled multitude was larger ban ever none went away without uirtaklng to their satisfaction of the many good things with which the able was amply provided. After dinner there was more singing and the mnouncements were made by Judge '. M. Eflrd. At the conclusion Rev. Vomer thanked the congregation and riepds for many manifestations of Kindness and dismissed them with tod's blessing. The pastor's porch was piled high with the many gifts which the mem>ers of his flock had brought as a < l:en of their esteem. ? . MIRMSTFI) ON CHARGE OF I NSFRANCE FItAl'l) Felix B. Harmon, a Columbia inni ranee man. was arrested Saturday ifternoon on a warrant sworn out lefore Magistrate Steadman of Batcs>urg, charging him with collecting noney for insurance premiums with>ut delivering the policies. Harmon s said to have operated to a consld rable extent around Batesburg and jeesville, particularly among the ne;roes. Harmon had previously been tnested by State Insurance Commislinnor MpMnlinn UrftnftP him >een revoked. Mr. McMahan desires hat all parties who had paid premiums to Harmon without receiving heir policies should communicate vith hinj at once. He is of the opinon that, i' will he possible to haytj h money refunded. I ! MISSIONARY UNION MEETING SOON Following "s the program of the annual meeting of the Lexington Wo "man's Missionary Union, which' will , be held at Sardis Baptist clutch, Thursday, August 18: . Morning Session. 10:00 a. m.?Song?"The Son of * God Goes Forth to "War", j Prayer. . I Scripture message?"I can do nil T-l- y things through Christ who strength- . ' eneth Me." Phil 4:13. Mrs. "W. A. Harmon. Greetings?Mrs. Redrnond. Response?Mrs. J. A. Hite.Reports of W. M. S's. and confer- ' ring A-l badges. Superintendent's message. Song. \ . i Impersonation of W. M. U. Mission Study Course, Recognition of certiil- - ^, cate holders. ' Items of interest from Chattanooga ' V Convention. Mrs. J. S. Harris, V. P. of Western Division. Reports of standing, committees: 1. Training school?AJiss Bertha J Laird. . 2. Margaret fund?Miss Blanche . Brooker. Ki . . '*^A, -4 f ' '</ 3. Mission Study and literature?- < ' Miss Ethel Brooker. V 4. Orphanage?Mrs. ^J. R. McKit- j / .' trick 5. Aged Ministers?Mrs. Hutto. G. Personal service?Mrs. E. E. Martin. ? 7. Hospital?Mrs. Setzler. ! S. Obituary?Mrs. Zenker. Offeratory for Miss Neale Young's I car. . .. i? I ' Address?75-Million -t Campaign i Ideals. Mrs. J. R. Fizer. . I Reading of Associational Policy. Appointment of committee on time . and place; on resolutions. Election of nomination committee. Miscellaneous. V. '' ? "* . ^ Adjournment. * V J "V < Afternoon Session.f ' Young People's Program. I Associate Superintendents . In I charge. | Song?"Make Me a Channel of ! Blessing.". x/evouonai?IjOvuiiv?.\uss Dertha i Fallaw. Phil. 3: 7-8, The Ideal. Luke 14: 38-30, The Cost. Col. 1: 18, The Center. ; Isa. 40: 28-31, How to he loyal. Reports of Y. \V. A's. and G. A's. Conferring A-l badges. ) Report of Associate Superintendent I of Auxiliaries. ! Demonstration by Pelion Juniors. Address: Dedicated Lives.?Mrs. J. ' S. Harris. | i R. A. Hymn. j Reports of R. A's. and Sunbeams. ! Conferring A-l badges. Report of R. A. and Sunbeam Sup[ erlntendent. | Demonstration by Sardis Juniors. Luke Sunbeam Song. Address: Our Juniors, the "Corner i ! Stone." Mrs. J. R. Fizer. Offering for Expense Fund. Report of committee on tin a and place; on resolutions. Election of officers. i ' 1 Adoption of policy. Appointment of standing comtnili tees. Reading of minutes. ; Closing prayer and song. 1 Please notice chance of time of | meeting from 10 to IS. Every church in the association, whether with or without W. M. U. ori ganizations is urged to send represen' tatives. Women of Lexington asso] ciation, 1 plead with you to come to j this meeting, that we may plan for 1 larger things in the Master's work. MRS. W. H. WHALEY, Supt. Lexington \V. M. U. , COTTON* MARKET GOES UP SLIGHTLY ON* REPORT Since the announcement last week I by the government that cotton had deteriorated since the last condition report and that the crop was in poorer condition than for a quarter of century and that this, toj getlier with the reduction in acreage i and lack of fertilizers, would cause | the smallest orop In 25 years to be harvested, the market was responded somewhat, fluctuating to some extent. Twelve cents was the highest price paid for the staple on the local mnr| ket since the rise. 6 t icaerai reserve, board came in for a good deal of criticism from the speakers. Xhe speeches were well received and were listened to with a splendid attention. Senator Laney was particularly happy in his talk and made quite a hit with his hearers. ' The meeting was presided over by Mr. W. A. Leapliart, who in opening the meeting voiced some beautiful sentiments which struck a responsive chord in the breasts of his hearers. The dinner was as good if not the best this scribe has ever seen spread upon a table. Certainly there will aever be any pellagra in Center as long as the good farmers of that community grow such fine food and the good housewives retain the talent which they displayed for v cooking. Adjectives are not adequate to accurately describe the bounteous dinner, consisting of all the good things of tield aifd garden, made at home and ^ooked by experts. After dinner the speeches were returned and late in the afternoon the crowd dispersed for home, feeling .veil repaid for the time spent. LARGE CROWD ENJOYED ZIOX PICNIC THURSDAY T'nderHlie shade of a spreading oak grove on the grounds adjoining the y<rrrm> i:P Hie t.Vfrnrd~R4V> ?D A. Cromer, the eleventh annual pielie of the Zion pastorate was held Thursday, August 4. Perhaps the argest crowd that ever attended this < lebrated event i^irticipated in the idpasuros of the occasion. The enire premises were surroundd by auumobiles which earjy in the day be,un pouring a stream of people into he picnic grounds. Estimates of the