The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, August 10, 1921, Image 1
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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