The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, June 20, 1911, Page TWO, Image 2
15 SHADOW OF THE GALLOWS
Charged With Murder Committed by
Another in Georgia, Former
Edgefield Negro Tried.
Edgefield, June 16.-Mistaken iden
tity came frightully close to causing
a hanging in a murder trial recently
held in Maddison, Georgia, a former
Edgefield county negro being the un
,happy defendant. Some 25 years
ago one of Maddison's most prominent
citizens was brutally murdered by
John Fagan, a negro. The crime was
committed under cover of dar4iess
and without the slightest provocation.
The town was aroused as never be
fore, and although every possible ef
fort was put forth to capture the
assassin, he made good his escape.
Time went on, but the horrible recol
aection of the dastardly deed was
never effaced from the memory of the
good people of Maddison, nor was
there abatement in. the efforts to run
down its perpetrator. Less than a
year ago several citizens of the place,
on. pleasure bent, were in a Missis
sippi town. As they wer" walking
the streets their eyes fell upon a man,
* an4 with one voice they exclaimed
there is John Fagan, the slayer of Mr.
-, and without waitirg for police
assistance they seized the person. On
his part there was no resistance or;
efXort to escape-only surprise. He
was hastily carried to the scene of the
murder, the news of the cai>ture had
preceded their arrival, and a vast
throng assembled to receive them.
Righteous _.ndignation was depicted
on. every face, blood ran high. Fagin
had been reared in Maddison-'and was
well known there, and not a man in
that angry assemblage but who iden
tified the prisoner as the murderer of
their lamented and beloved fellow cit
izen, but be it said to the credit of this
people, violence was .not resorted to,
and the law %happily was allowed to
take Its course, and thereby an inno
cent life was saved.
Back in the seventies there lived on
the plantation of Mr. Jack Holmes, in
the Phillippi section of Edgeleld
county, a negro by the name of An
drew Coleman, and his son, Dug. Dur
Ing a temporary exodus of negroes
from this county, the father and son
drifted to Mississippi-and there the
latter attained man's estate. It was
his misfortune, as one pea does an
other, to resemble the murderer
John Fagan, and his arrest, incarcera
tion, trial and hair-breadth escape was
the sequel. We said that the resem
blance between 'Fagan and Dug was
as perfect as like is to like, but there
was. this in the latter's favor, when
arrested he had only one grm. Where
as the former when last seen had
two, but there was the possibility
nay probability-that Fagan had lost
an arm. Indeed, it must be so, be
cause, said they who passed judg
met we can not be mistaken in the
Identity.
-Being placed in jail, Dug was fre
quently visited by citizens of Maddi
son, and to each he announced his in
Snocence, telling his life's story, how
he had lived opi Mr. Holmes's place
and subsequently . with his father,
moved to Mississippi, and bow, when
a little boy, he lor' his arm in a gin
* and was attended by "Dr. Tillman,"
mentioning several white citizens of
the Phillippi section who knew him.
So impressed was the prosecuting of
ficer of the Maddison circuit with the
sincerity of the defendant that doubt
as to his guilt was awakened, and he
wrote Ex-Governor Sheppard, whom
he knew by reputation, giving a his
tory of the case and the life of Dug
as narrated by him. Governor Shep
pard, acting purely from a humani
tarian standpoint, and with a desire
that truth and justice might prevail,
interested himself in the matter and
caused several of the white citizens of
the Phillippi neighborhood to come to
EFlgefield, some of those the negro
said he had known. Mr Tom Holmes, a
nephew of Mr. Jacob, Holmes, on
whose place the defendant said he had
* lived, was first questioned. He said
he remembered Dug as a little boy
and recalled the accident that befell
him when he lost his arm, and thai
the lamented Dr. Timmerman had at
tended him and that subsequently thE
father and son had moved from 'thE
State. Mr. Holmes's statement was
authenticated by several others. Mr
Sheppard communicated this informa
tion to the Maddison attorney, who ix
turn delivered his letter to the counse
for the prisoner.
On a visit to Atlanta Mr. Sheppar<
chanced to meet the defendant's at
torney and acquainted him more full:
with what the several citizens o
Edgefield county knew about hi:
client. It was a question of saving a:
innocent human life and, of course
these gentlemen voluntarily went t
Maddison and attended the trial, an
it was their testimony that remove
the shield-of guilt that hung so omin
ously over the head of the unfortu
nate captive. As a test three cn~ ~r'
THE LIST STILL OPEN.
Come Along and Take Your Subscrip.
tion to the Park-Now is
the Time.
The subscriptions to the park for
Newberry continue to come ig, and,
while none of them are large, in the
aggregate we can make up #.ie amouit
if we can securp enough small ones.
We would prefer to have the amount
made up of small subscriptions rath
er than in one or two large ones. This
is to be the people's park, and if ev
erybodyt is interested, of course, it
follows that everybody will take more
pride in keeping the park up to the
standard.
We already havie a sufficient amount
subs6ribed to assure the park, and to
begin operations. Of course, we
would prefer to have a little more, but
it is the hope of those who are in
terested in this movement to organ
ize the Park association,' and to begin
laying out the grounds in the very
near future. Let everybody who is
interested come along now and get in
on the ground floor and help to push
the enterprise along.
The following is the list of sub
scriptions to date:
5. A. Burton.. .......... ..$600
W. H. Hunt... ... ... ..... ... 100
H. L. Parr... ... ... , .. .... 100
M! L. Spearman.... .... ...... 100
B. C. Matthews. ....... ... ... 100
I. H. Hunt... ... ... ........ 100
10. B. Mayer.... .... .... ....100
J. H. West... ...............100
l. L. Bailes.... ........ 10
G. F. Warn... ... ... ... ... 10
W. B. Wallace........... 10
W. E. Pel'ham........ .....25
J. W. Chapman... ... ... ..... 10
J. E. Norwood .... ....6.. 25
I. L. Blaustein.. ..... ... ... ..10
L. W. Floyd... ... .......... 5
Thos. P. Johnsen .... ... ......10
P. E. Scott... ..............300
W. A. McSwain... ...... ..... 50
R. M. Werts.... ....'.... ... 50
J. N. McCaughrin.......... 50
W.G. Houseal............ 50
T. C. Pool............... 50
Arthur Kibler... ... ... ... .... 20
C. J. Purcell.... ........ .... .. 5P
W. G. Mayes .. ... ... .
Van Smith. ..... ... .... ... 20
0. Klettner.... .... .... .... .. 30
J. W. White... ... ... ... .. 19
Mrs. E. M. Evans... ... .... 10
Pope'L. Buford.... .... ...... 10
T. W. Smi-th... ... ......... 10
T. M. Rogers... ... ... ... ....10
E. T...Carlson...... .... .... .. 10
H. D. Havird... ... ......... 10
E. Y. Morris. ..... ... ... .....10
J. Claude Dominick.... .... ...10
A. J. Bowers, Jr..... ... ... ... 10
R. G. Parks... ... ... ..... .. 10
J. M. Ward........... .... ...10
H. S. Chapman... ... ... ... .... 10
W. S. Langford... ... ... ... ...10
Eugene S. Blease.... .... .....20
Jno. B. Mayes.... .... .... .... 50
Nat Gist... ... ... ... ... ..... 10
R. D. Smith... ... ...'... ..... 10
F. N. Martin...... ....... .... 10
J. B. Hunter.... .... ........, 20
Ewart-Perry Co. ... .......... 10
Harry W. Dominick.... ........ 10
Geo. B. Cromer... ... ... ... ...10
Cash Store... ... ..,.... ... ...10
Dr. E. H. Kibler.... .... .... ..130
~J. M. Davis.... ... ... ... ..... 2.'
Z. F. Wright... ...........--50
E. H. Au11 Co... ... ....... ...0
H. W. Schumpert. ... ... ... ...10
lWm. Jognson... ... ........--20
John Henry Baxter... ... ... ...10
H. L. Dean... ... ... ... -.-13
Anderson'10c. Co... ... .. ... ...10
3. M. Kinard... ... ... .... ....50
C. W. Bishop... ... ......-...10
J. J. Langford... ... ......... 20
Frank P. Devore... ... ... ... 10
J. A. Peterson... ... ....i.....10
E. -E. Stuck... ... ....... ....10
E. H. Longshore... ..... ... ... 10
Dr. W. E. Pelhiam, Jr.. .... ....20
Mrs. C. E. Garvin.. .. .........10
J. C. Sample.. .. .... .........10
R. C. Boyleston .... .. .......10
Fred. H. Dominick .. ...... ..5
Total .... .. .........-.-S2,855
negroes, as near like as cou-U be
found, were placed in a cell, and Mr.
'{olmes was asked to see if he couQ1
irientify I ug This e cid ~Wno;; a
Imoment's hesitation.
The trial, ea'ys Mr. Holmes, was in*
Ktense and tragic. The court room
was crowded; there was eagerness
that the innocent blood of the murder
ted man should be avenged. \Several
I of the State's witnesses (negroes)
swore that they had lived for years
I with Fagan, and that this was the
-man; but when he and his neighbor!
r faced that just jury their statement
Scarried conviction, truth prevaile
Sand Dug received his liberty.
11 This story carries two lessons:
,How awfully mistaken we can b
)in identifying a person and, if mis
Itaken, how fearful oftentimes are th
consequences.
T niro-wnting officers shoul
- probe to the b ottom for truth an
~rsecute.
Use Nothing But igh
Grade Reliable
Fixtures
.! Ca a LI
2Tc
Mh orries!
A(I Have Your Work11onel
by Those Who. Know How
H. B. WELLS
Telephone-Office, No. 345
Res. 7
1113 Friend SL
WINTHROP COLLEGE
Scholarship and Entranice Examina
- tionu
The examination for the award-of
vacant scholarships in Winthrop col
lege and for, the admission of new
students will be held. at. the county
court house on FITday, July 7, at 9
a. m. Applicants must be not less
than fifteen yearsof age. Wha schol
arships are vacant after July 7 they
will be awarded to those making the
highest average at this examination,
provided they- meet the conditions
overning the award. Applicants for,
scholarships should write to, Presi
dent Johnson before the examination
for 'scholarshiip examination blanks.
The scholarships are worth $100
and free tuition. The' next session
will, open Sreptember 20, 1911. For fur
ther Information and catalogue, ad
dress President D. B. Johnson, Rock
Hill S.C..
1785. -. s1911
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON.
127th Year begins September 29.
Entrance examinations at all the
county seats on Friday, July 7, at 9
The college is 'well endowed, enab
lig it to maintain the hiighiest stand
ards.
It offers complet3 4-year courses in
Ancient and i Mo4ern Languages,
Mathematics, History, Economics,
Science and Engineering.
Courses for Bj A., B. S., and B. S.
degree wita'l Engineering.
A free tuition scholarship to. each
cou'ty of South - Carolina. Vacant
Boyce scholarships, giving $100, a yeah
and free tuition, ope:t to competitive
examination in Sep,tember.
Expenses reasonable. Terms and
catalogue on application. WriiE to1
Harrison Rahadolph, P?resident, Char-j
leston, S. 0.
THE
CLEMSON AGRICULIURAL
COLLEGE
Enrollment Over 700-Value of Prop
erty Over a Million and a Quarter
Ninety Teachers and Officers.
Seven full four years courses, in
Agriculture, Engineering, etc.
Cost per session of nine months, in
cluding all fees, board, heat, light,
laundry, and necessary uniforms
$121.87.
Students who are financially able,
pay $40..00 tuition additional.
SCHOLARSHLP AND ENTRANCE
EXAMINATIONS.
The College maintains 124 Agricul
tural Scholarships, and 43 Textile
Scholarships, worth each $100.00 and
free tuition.
(Students who have attended Clem
'son college or any, other college or
university, are not eligible for the
scholarships unless there are no oth
er eligible applicants).
Schlarship and entrance examina
tions will be held at the county seats
July 14, 9 a. m.
Nex' Sessions Opens Sept. 13, 1911.
Write at once to W. M. Riggs, Pres-f
ident Clemson College, S. C., for cat'a
logue, scholarship blanks, etc. If you
Idelay, you may be crowded out.
E. E. Chamberlain, of Clinton, Me.,
boldly accus/s Bucklen's Arnica Salve
-of stealing--the sting from burns or
scalds-the pain from, sores of all
Skinds-tue distress frQim boils or
piles. "It robs cuts, -corns, bruises,
isprains and injuries of their terror,"
he says, "as a healing remedy its
equal don't exist." Only 25c at Win.
E. Peham & eon's.
I
OLL
NEN
Copyright 1909, by C. E.
MONEY n t
* ~i
e -fast.' Dol
on top of the. other
savinq, acquired so i
s*tsmulated by the ev
of interest.
TI
* Newberry Sa
OF NEWBE
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JAMES McINTOSH, President.
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RunIng, Iest Stylish &' Sterli:
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Postal Card To Us Will Bring An1%
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ROC HLLBUGGY COMPANY
For sale by
S1JDIER BROTHERS C.
Newberry, S. C.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINATH
Scholarship Examination. i
The University of South Carolina of
ers scholarships in the school of edu -_______
ation to one young man from each
onty. Each scholarship is worth sA he wordt
0O in money, and $18 term fee and Matthel tof
ree liiition. ~ always KEEPS A
Examination will be held at the; of all Laxatives
I Pills-and they'r4
onty seat July 14. 1911. Examnina- ! his family. Cure
ton of students generally for admis- ache, indigestion,
son to the university will be held at 25c. at Wmn. E. P
the same time.
Write for information to S. C. Mit DR. I
chell, president. Cblumbia, S~T U. will answer emer
5-163t. nection with his c
ties, morphine an
Don't subscribe for The Herald un- Hours 9 to 1 fori
less you want the News. I OOOfl
wSGR OW
IPON THE
IER WHEN
OUR DANK
- --
Zimfnermau Co.-No. 48.
he Bank grows
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and the habit of
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-iE
VgS R
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vmS Ba nk
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J.' E. NORWOOD, Cashier.
adding' Gifts .
zether your pre ference be
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or Mirrors, I have every
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limentary. Gifts, all values $
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HOISE OF A THOUSAND THINGS
Left Home
talking, but Paul
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Dr. King's New Life paoo ra. obls,yuhv
a blessing to all hmeicopeewhut us,
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