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Camden chronipi f ' U CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA, F&V, JLTNE 26, 1936 ? Arrest Made After Five Years . Sumter comity's "almost perfect" murder enigma, which for more than five years baffled both county and attite officers wan believed solved today with the arrest late yesterday afternoon of Hen T. Berwick, of Pinewood. on a,.warrant sworn out by a coroner's jury . He was lodged In th<' Sumter county jail for Investigation in connection with the assassination ol Mayor E. Clyde Geddings of pinewood on April 15, 1931. Kflorts to get ball for the imprisoned man were being made today,, hut Solicitor Frank A, McLeod, who reconvened the jury at Pinewood yesterday afternoon after a lapse of five years, stated that he would not consent to bail for Barwfck and that the investigation would be furthered by the 'grand jury and later by a petit jury. Criminal court starts in Sumter on Tuesday, July 7, and it Is almost certain that Barwlck will he tried at this term. In a surprise move the State called the inquest at Pinewood .yesterday afternoon at 3:45 and few persons In the community knew what was takjjig place. Two witnesses were examined -by the reconvened coroner's jury of, live years hack which was. recessed ill 1931 until additional evidence could lie procured. Few person.-. cither in Sumter or Pinewood were aware that work on this baffling (ase was still going on and most of thein rated it as another of this state's ? unsolved murder mysteries. % At the termination of the'inquest from which no persons were allowed to go until Barwick had been arrested, a warrant was sworn out by Coroner .1 S. Cain, at the order of Solicitor McLeod tend served on the accused man by Rural Officers Morris and Strange. He was apprehended at a nearby point where he was workinu and after seeing his wife was brought to the Sunvter county jail by < hi. t \\\ J. Seale and Rural Officer A! \ Morris. ^ In addition to members of the county's rural police force headed by Chief Seale, and officers from the Sheriff's office, two detectives from the governor's office were sent here to work on this baffling murder mystery in 1931. They were Chief J. W. Richardson and Detective Lee Melton. Several weeks elapsed and making little headway, the two officers returned to Columbia and other duties. leaving the Geddings case unsolved. In the earlier phases of the case the government sent Investigators here also to work on the mystery from still other .angles. And rural officers of the county also worked on the c ase as much as possible. In recent times under another governor. this time OLin D. Johnston, a private investigator of the governor's staff. State Officer D. K. Sturkie, was sent here to solve the mystery If possible. State Officer Sturkie heading the investigation In Its most recent phase clung to the assignment with the tenacity of a bulldog and absolutely n?\rr gave up his determination to solve the enigma of who shot Mayor Bed-lings in the back. And he finally locale,I a negro woman named Louella Walters residing near SUvjer, in 'lai". nclon county, who gave him the fir-r real break in his task. She ded.irc I under oath and before the re" '>\ necl coroner's Jury that had oflic.aad over the killing of Geddings that .she had resided at the time In Pin- wood next door fo Geddings. She further declared that on the night of April 15, 1931, she was at home and Wi>s sick and lying upon her bed when she heard a shot, dogs barking :<"d somebody running and she sprang from per bed and looked out the door and saw Ben T. Barwick running past her home with a shotgun in his hands a'id that Barwick lived about 300 yards southeast of the Geddings residence. Ix>uella Walters declared that she was badly scared and afraid to toll what she had seen for fear some ?f the white folks would kill her. Testimony of Dr. T. R. Littlejohn, called at the time, told of the way he found Geddings shot in the back and described the wound. Mrs. J. C. Bryan. sister of the murdered man, '?ld how she had been In the adjoin- ; ,nR foom at the time and *that with 110 Warning of a tragedy had heard 'he fatal shot and found her brother dying on the floor. Following the inquest and arrest "f Barwick, Solicitor McLeod and : oDatable Sturkie escorted Louella > alters to an unannounced place of etention as a state's witness for the < al yet to be given Barwick. 11 hM been intimated from official it. I .'VI .A sources that there are other developments in the ease of a tremendous import and that the apprehension of Barwick is only one of many developments that are to transpire shortly. It will be remembered that Mayor K. Clyde Geddings was brutally shot down at 9:lf? o'clock on the night of April la, 1931, as he sat in the hallway of his home reading a newspaper. And his home was located in the very center of Plnewood. The coroner's autopsy and hearing revealed that nine bnckshot had entered his body, the charge having been fired from a shotgun by some person behind him and concealed by the darkness. Gun wadding found by the fence in his front yard indicated at the time that the murderer had nsed the fence as a resting place to get a good aim on Mayor Geddings' back, and the fence was a distance of ieet from the victim. Mr. Geddings' mother was very sick in the home at the time and was being attended and looked after by Mrs. James C. Bryan, her daughter. Mrs. Bryan was sitting in the front room adjoining Mr. Geddings when the gun was fired and one other member of the family had just a few minutes previously passed by Mr. Geddings in the hall. The circumstances revealed the shooting as premeditated, without warning and cold blooded. None of the members of the family had been known to leave the house at the time or Just previously and no clues were left of what became a five-year mystery of deepest wonder. Rural Police Chief Scale, Officers Norris and Dollard, Sheriff Hurst and Deputy H.- G. McKagen, assisted by City Policeman J. D. Chandler went at once to work on the case. Later governor's detectives were called on the case. But every way they trailed on <^he faintest of leads they found themselves at the time up a blind alley as to who had shot the doughty official who was 47 years old and a member of the mercantile firm of Geddings and Weeks. He also practiced law to some extent. Mr. Geddings was unmarried. Feeling ran high in the neighborhood and Governor Blackwood detailed a special officer to aid county officers in running down the perpetrator of this heartless crime. Mayor Geddings had been militant in a crusade against bootleggers and bootlegging in his bailiwick and to this the officers and citizens immediately attributed the cause of the murder. It has taken five long years to unravel the puzzle. Mr. Geddings was survived by a brother, J. F. Geddings, of Newport News, Va; and four sisters, Mrs. C. B. Kolb, of St&bter, Mrs. R. J. Aycock, Mrs. B. T. Byrd, Mrs. J. C. Bryan, all of Pine wood, and an adopts ed sister, Miss Inez Rogers. He was buried in the Weeks' cemetery.?Sumter Herald. v' - ".V. * \ League Sponsored Tonsil Operations On .hint* 10. 12, und 10 the Camden Junior Welfare League sponsored their annual tonsil clinic at the Camden hospltul. On these days thirtysix Kershaw county children were taken care of. The League committee to arrange for this clinic wuh headed by Mrs Charles Shannon, 4th, who was as slated by Mm. Mortimer Muller and Mrs. J. CI. Richards, Jr. The members of- the League wish to take this opportunity to express thetr appreciaton to the staff of the Camden hospital, and especially Miss E. L. Robbies, for their splendid work in making this undertaking possible. We wish to thank the following nurses for the service they rendered: Mrs. P. R. Langs ton, Mrs. P. M. Zemp, Miss Ether Hammond, Mrs. Clinton Maseebeau, Miss Ruth Truesdale, Mrs. George Mickle, Miss Harriet Ijorick, Mrs. Elizabeth Mauldin and Mips Merldeth Inabinet. This is one of the many worthwhile activities to which the medical und nursing professions give their aid, und the Camden Junior Welfare League appreciates sincerely their enabling It to make this an annual contribution to health in this county. Young Man Kills Self John Brown, nineteen year old white youth who resided on the Mahaffev place between Cassatt and Bethune shot himself through the heart Sunday morning about nine o'clock. The weapon used was a 22-ealibre revolver and it is said Brown had told a negro laborer a short while before that he intended to destroy himself. Forest Fire-Fighters Hold First Barbecue T,?e flrat anuual barbecue sponslre<! by iho Kershaw County ConservuIon Service, cooperating with the h Carolina Stuto Forest Service, was held on Friday, June 19, at the oor il ciub camp, five miles north of 'Hindfln off highway 521. Approxlately six hundred people were pre?t>nt to enjoy the day's activities W. C. Perry, forest ranger for Kershaw county, representing the Kershaw County Conaervlat ion Service !'" '! !,hc' m,w ni?mbers South.re^he ! the- <;rew ^udera and members whose business it is to suppress forest fires in Kershaw county a tribute Mold events were held for children, both male and female, and also for to men and women present. These were held separately for white and colored, A great deal of interest was ? own in these events which were handled by Pat Tbornpaon of Liberty III . and cash prlzea ware awarded to the Winners by Mr. Perry. Several interesting talks w e r e heard during the morning. Henry - avage, Jr, president of the board of directors of the organization, gave the winning address and also a resume j ' the early history of the organizalon and its development. it. \\- itje.| Ker, district forester, gave a summary I ot the work done during the past tire season by the Kershaw County Conservation Service. If, his talk he em-ri i,hat ,h* wo,k ?f n,e ?r*anization is largely dependent upon the1 cooperation of the landowners, farm-" < rs and citizens of the county The ( strict forester stated that the people of Kershaw county have taken ?? " to the idea ?f protecting its woodlands from ftre. as a result of which much progress has been made since the first organization was floated to control woods fires. W. C. Ham merle, assistant state ."7Hv 'V" '*har*? ?f ,,re P?-ot??'?lon. ' 1 ??rron. assistant state foros er in charge of extension and nurse. es. made talks concerning tire protec ?n. Mr. Hammerle gave a cross; - ction of the system of fire "protection in Smith Carollna jn w|iJch over three million acres of woodlands are being protected from fire under I the supervision of the South Carolina state forest service. Mr. Barron brought out the fact that reforestscarried on by landowners results in an interest in fire protection Senator Braaington made a short talk and wa8 folIowed by MayQr j h. Osborne. Mac Boykin, president of the Sumter county forest protective association, spoke on the subject of conser-! vation In general, after which Mr Spencer, president of the First Carolina Joint Stock I^and Bank, gave some very good reasons why his company is intensely interested in fire protection and briefly reviewed what fire protection in this state has done y way of increasing value of the lands under their Jurisdiction. Among the distinguished guesfs present were William Maughan, profeasor of forestry at Duke University school of forestry; W. C. Hammerle' and N. T. Barron. Mac Boykin, R. \\\ Adams, head of the woodland management division of the soil conservaIon service in South Carolina, with headquarters at Sparfhnburg; N. S Sands, of Newberry; James H. Saye. superintendent of CCC Camp R-71 also in charge of the sub-camp at Cassatt; educational adviser Granger of CCC Camp P-71; Lieut. Willingham. from the Cassatt sub-camp, and T Hoy Mlms. ranger of Sumter county. Help Re-Elect Roosevelt The ladles of the Caniden Club of the Democratic party are having a bridge tournament .on Tuesday evening, June 30, at 8:30 o'clock at the American Legion Hall. Thirty ladles have agreed to pay $1.00 for a table and to furnish refreshments for four Kueste to be Invited by them. All j tholo. willing to get up a table, for there win be ample space, will please can Miss Mary Goodale at telephone 193 before 6 p. m. All proceeds are to be spent in the , re-election of Roosevelt "165* Garfter. Let Us ITT show our gratitude to President Roosevelt by giving this undertaking our whole-hearted support. Wine Honor West Newton, Mass., June 22 ? Stephen Robinson, the son of Mrs Woods Robinson of Lyttleton street received a medal for promptness at the closing exercises of the Pessenden school. He ha. been elected president of his form, president of his color and a' member of the school <xmunJttes for the coming year. Democrats Called to Give To Fund To tlie Domovrntie won and women of Kershaw county: The rank and fi)e of the Democratic party are being given the opportunity during this week to contribute to the necessary fund to bring about tin? reelection of President Roosevelt, through what has been designated the Roosevelt Nominator cuiivuhm. Our instructions and literature canto too lato to organize the county, but there will be ^canvassers at Hethune, Kershaw, and Hluney as well as Cailldeu. Each Democrat paying one dollar or more will be entitled to a Roosevelt Nominator ticket which will admit him to tiie large Roosevelt Rally which is to bo held at the Court House at Camden at nine o'clock Saturday night of this week. If the weather is good the rally will be held on the lawn, otherwise In the Court room, There will be a radio hook-up with loud speakers so that everyone will be able to hear distinctly the great speuch of President Roosevelt at Franklin Field,. Philadelphia, in accepting his nomination for reelection This will he one of President Roosevelt's greatest speeches rand 1 am sure that every loyal Democratic man and woman in Kershaw county will want to hear it. Von may pay your dollar at the rally if you so desire, J and anyone not having a dollar to j spare just now will not be em barn ks- j ed, but may come and listen and enjoy themselves. It is hoped however thai every Democrat in the county who can possibly do so will contribute a dollar. 'This lias been the first administration that the south lias ever gotten anything out of, and I believe that we all agree that we are infinitely "better off than we would have been had the Republicans continued in the saddle. They can get their campaign expenses from the big | interests- that are fighting Roosevelt and who ardently hope for his defeat, hut the Democratic party is obliged to turn to the average man and worn- j ?gn whom he has helped. The money is sorely needed. Not much is being asked, if you want Roosevelt reelected, shake out a dollar for the cause. If a canvasser doesn't see you, get in touch with one, or mail your dollar to H. G. Garrison, Camden, who Is treasurer of the fund. We are looking for ~you at the Court House Saturday night at nine o'clock. MURDOCH M. JOHNSON, Chairman Roosevelt Nominators of Kershaw County. Second Week Jurors For Sessions Court Jurors to serve for the second week of court of general sessions court were drawn Tuesday morning as foR lows: W. C. Perry, C. P. DuBose, Jr., Henry Eichel, R. B. Pitts, Willis Shoorn, Wiley Sheorp, B. P. DeLoache, J. M. Villeplgue, W. H. Gardner, L. S. Hammond, R. S, Marsh, Camden; Henry Stroud, J. H. Bar field, Jr., W. S. Taylor, J. S. Connell, R. C. Bennett, Jr., Walter H. Cauthern, T. B. Roberts, J. M. West, Kershaw; Victor Ward, Robert Branham, William L. Sanders, Nick Ray, Carl Rabon, Charlie M. Porter, Lugoff; E. H. Davis. A. E. Wat kins, Steve Bowers, Cassatt; C. B. Watkins, C. E. Jones, Bethune; Floyd Holley, Minor Holley, Jefferson; W. \j. Miles, Blaney; J. C. Anthony, D. D. Truesdale, Westville; A. J. VanLandingham, Ridgeway. Gaskin Gets University Degree The friends of Alva D Gaskin will be interested to know that he was one of the ten students who received the Master of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina at the commencement exercises June 3. His major subject was history and the title of his thesis, "Conscription and Impressment In 8outh Carolina, 18601865." Alva is principal of the Aynor high school, where he has been teacher of history for the past four years.?Kershaw Era. Baptist Church Services The following service* are announced for week beginning June 28 at the First Baptist church: Sunday school at 10 o'clock with W. G. Wilson, Jr., in Charge. Public worship conducted by the pastor, J. B. Caston at 11:15 a. m. and 8:30 p. m. Morning subject: "Father's Responsibility." Evening subject: "At The Cross." Prayer meeting Wednesday evening at 8:30. . The public lsvcordially Invited t? attend all the services of this church. To Stage Rally For J Democratic Cause! . I'ndcr the auspices of the Demo-! crutic Nutiouul Committee a /loose-1 vt'H Nominator Ually will be Ih>1<| In Camden on Saturday night of this week, at the Court House, where the Democrats of the county will gather and hear President Roosevelt's acceptance speech of his nomination by. the National Democratic Convention as the candidate of his party to succeed , himself as1 President of the Pnited States. Nominator memberships are being sold to the Democrats of the party ut otto dollar each. Any nominator who has paid his dollar will he entitled to admission to this Ruily, whoru loud speakers will he placed so that everyone can hear the President's voice at its fullest. Murdoch M. Johnson lias been made County Chairman of the Roosevelt Nominator Campaign and. Rally; Robber! M. Kennedy, Jr., lias been named Chairman for the City of Camden, and H. G. Garrison, Jr., is treasurer of the fund. The central committee will be composed or the following: Senator S. F. ' Hrosiugton, W. T. Red* fearii. Chairman County Board of Directors; Neil K. Truesdule, member House of Representatives; J. H. Obborne, Mayor of Camden; J. H. MeLood. Chairman KerHhaw County Democratic executive Committee;! Miss Minnie Clyburn, Vice-Chairman Kershaw County Democratic Kxocu- I live Committee. Ah the literature and instructions were only received Tuesday morning the committee over the county outside of Camden has not been arrang-1 ed, but it. is understood that Dr. W. R. Turner will have charge of Hum Campaign at Kershaw. During Davis | at Ib'thune. and J. D. Watson at Blan-1 ?y i Following is a list of the heads of! the committees at f'amden: Dr. John \V. Corbett, Doctors. John K. dcLoacb. Lawyers. .1 J. D. Zemp, Merchants. Mrs. Kathleen It. Watts, Democratic Women. j 1". L. Little, Committee on Arrange-j ments. J. H, Clyburn, County Officials. C. P. DuBose. Jr., Bankers and Insurance. C. C. Whltaker, City Officials. Dev. J. B. Caston, Ministers. Thomas Ancrum, Publicity. The Democrats of Kershaw county who are interested in the re-election of President Roosevelt are urged to get in touch with Mr. JolinBon, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Carrison, or any member of the Central Committee or any committee at Camden or over the county, and pay their dollar to help assure the success of our cause this year. This campaign is being put on in every county In the United Stutes. Kershaw county should not and will not lag behind the other counties in South Carolina. Mayor J. H. Osborne has issued the following proclamation: "Whereas, under the administration of that great Democrat, Frankiin D. Roosevelt, as president of the United States, this country has been by reason of his patriotism, ability, and zeal, for the betterment of the whole people, been raised from the chaos into which it had fallen io n new and rapidly increasing prosperity, and "Whereas. President Roosevelt is about to be unanimously chosen ugain i as tile standard bearer of the Democratic party * for reelection as *our president, and "Whereas, it is greatly to the interests of the people of this country that his administration be continued and "Whereas, the predatory interests represented by the Republican party are seeking his defeat and the large interests are contributing to their cause and It is necessary that funds be raised by individual contributions from the means/hf the people, "Now, therefore, in accordance with the plan of the National Democratic Committe, I hereby proclaim Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, as Roosevelt Nominator Days, during which time every loyal Democratic man and woman Is urged to contribute each not less than one dollar to the Democratic Cause, each contribution of one dollar or more will entitle the contributor to be present at the nominator Fa41y to be held In Camden at 9 o'clock Saturday night, June 27." ? ? Merchants To Observe Monday July 4 coming this year on Saturday and boing generally observed as a holiday, the Camden merchants and business men have agreed to close on Monday, July. 6, Instead of Saturday, the fourth. Both banks are to be closed on Monday also. , * Tha much talked about anti-lobbytng bill was killed by ft* house by a rote of ttfi to ?t. /fbt Burrell Campbell Killed In Accident . Burrell Campbell, 30, of iiitH city. wub lulled on bin birthday w)i?ii a wrecker ear in which lie was riding wua struck by a tank ear uu.J.bo Seaboard crossing in the city limits at 10:30 Thursday night or hud week, the young man dying three hours lator. E l> Drakeford and Curtis Gregory were with him when the smash eame, but were unhurt except for bruises. Campbell was riding in the right mat when it is said a Seaboard freight crew kicked" the tank car on to the highway. Mr. Campbell was a native of Chesterfield county and eame to Camden tlvo years ago. He was employed by the Hryant Fuel Company. He is survived by bis mother. Mrs. ^Charlotte Campbell, and the follow-'ing brothers und slaters; Dwight Campbell, Miss Lorraine Campbell, Mrs. Jh,n Hanner, 6f Camden; Mrs. | Charlie Smith, Coltii Campbell, of Hopewell, Vu.; Mrs. Archer Melton, Drue Campbell, of Katinapolis, N. C. , His funeral was held at Campbell ctMnolery in Chesterfield county at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon. An inquest was held by Coroner Rush Tuesdrty night and the verdict was to the effect that the young man came to bis deatli by a collision with a tank car on the Seaboard and they charged the railway with negligence. Enrollment Books Open Over State South Carolinians who have reached 21 years of nge^ within the last two years, or those who have removed from one acting precinct to another. arc required to place their names on books of enrollment if they plan to vote in the stnte this year. Ibis year, 1030, fH not what is known as a "general" enrollment >ear. and citizens who enrolled two years ago are not requited to reenroll in order to vote, this year. Hut per sons who have reached 21. or who i have removed their place of habfta-' I Hon, are required to place their names on the books, If they wish to participate In the balloting for a senator, congressman and various county officers. I^ane L. Bonner, secretary of the Democratic party, said yesterday that many people, who oftep are outside of the state, will be at home ip^Jtily, and that they would have opportunity to enroll. He expressed the 'hop* ' that they would, so that the state could roll up a heavy ballot this fall. .Books of enrollment have been opened in various points In each of the counties since June 2. They will remain open until July 28. Held June Meeting The Mt. Pisgah Home Demonstration Club held^ Its regular monthly meeting at the home-of Miss W. F. Byrd, June 17, at 3 o'clock. . The meeting was called to order by Mrs. C. W. Holley. Two songs were sung: Our State,".and "Our Country-!" Mrs. Holley read a poem, "Sunshine and " Rain." The Lord's prayer was repeated by all. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved; The seceretary then called the roll, each member answered with "What They Would Like To Do This Summer." Miss Fewell then took charge. She mude a very Interesting talk about county women: She also told" us about her trip to Washington. She gave each one present some pickle recipes. Mrs. Byrd served Iced tea and sandwiches for refreshments. There were quite a number present. The meeting was enjoyed by all. V? Lands 22-Pound Basa Frank W. Chapman was the champion of four Greenwood fishermen who cast their lines at South Island near Georgetown this week. Mr. Chapman landed a 22-pound bass and he brought the fish home with him to prove that it is not a fish story.?Greenwood Index^Jonraat Hijank Chapman was for a ^ong time manager of the Camden Water and Light Department, where | very efficient. We never knew of him being a fisherman, but we are glad to learn of his prize catch. ~^? Wave Ice Cream Supper >_ An Ice cream supper is announced ,OF MLP,88ab church- Saturday night. Lbeartnn,n* ** o'clock, to which the pnblio to cordially Invited. ?*0i?r prfaonera dug their way out , T.iL"#J!?Pli>J?ot" W ?? Sharmau, !