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1 V * * * "X $2.00 Per Year in Advance BAMBEkG, S. G., 'iiiiilisjDAY, ^)ECEMiiLR 2, 1920. Established in 1891 MURDER CHARGED TO MRS. SHEPARD WOMAN ARRESTED AS SHE LEFT COURT ROOM. POISONING IS CLAIMED. Doctors Testify to Finding Poison in Stomach of Dead "Georgia Peach King." Fort Valley, Ga., Nov. 27.?Warrants charging murder in connection with the death last June under myste?ious circumstances of Fred D. Shepard, known as the "Georgia Peach King," were served tonight on Mrs. F. E. Elmer, former wife of the peach grower. Mrs. lone Henry, sister of Mrs. Elmer, and Ernest Hopson, son of Mrs. Elmer by a marriage previous to that with Shepard. The arrest of all three was ordered after a pathologist and chemist of Atlanta had testified at the coroner's investigation here today that a postmortem examination of Shepard's body had revealed the presence of poison in the viscera. Mrs. Elmer, who took charge of Shepard's property after his death on the grounds that he died intestate, was arrested as he was leaving the ,courtroom where the coroner's investigation was held. The first charge placed against her was illegal appropriation of Shepard's property. Several hours later she was served with a warrant charging her with murder in connection with Shepard's death. Mrs. Henry and Hopson were arrested at their homes in Perry, near here. Traces of Poison Found. Dr. John Funke, Atlanta pathologist, who was one of the witnesses at the inquest, testified that traces of poison were found in Shepard's body. His testimony was supplemented by that of Dr. Edgar Everhart, an Atlanta chemist, who told the jury that, while he had found no poison at the time of his first examination, an analysis of the contents of other organs presented to him after a second exhumation of the body showed a large amount of bichloride of mercury. He estimated the dose which caused Shepard's death at fifty grains. The testimony developed at today's hearing followed an exhaustive inquiry into the alleged mysterious - ' ^ ~ ~ .ii.wniindinor fh d rl Oi3 tV) Ciru U III 5 lei IH-Cb &U11UUUU1UQ t,uv UVU.VU of the wealthy peach grower. The inquiry during its later stages has been directed by State Solicitor General Garrett. Queer Spots Found. Shepard/'s death occurred at a Macon hospital after an illness of only three days. Hospital physicians unable to diagnose the case, conducted a postmortem examination, and reported the finding of queer spots on the vital organs. Investigation was immediately started by the authorities. Shepard's wife of less than a year, now Mrs. Elmer, immediately took charge of the extensive orchard holdings and other property of the p^ach grower, stating that he had left no will. The investigation into his death, which had practically been abandoned, was revived several weeks later by the announcement of Mrs. Alice Crandall, a sister of Shepard, that she had received an anonymous letter through the mail inclosing what was purported to be a will executed by the "peach king." This will bequethed to the widow $10,000 cash, and a monthly allowance of $100. All knowledge of the existence of such a will wes denied by the widow. Marries Dr. Elmer. Four months after Shepard's death his widow was married to Dr. F. E. . Elmer, who, according to statements by Solicitor General Garrett during the investigation, claims to have once been a governor of a state in Mexico and later the husband of the daughter of an English nobleman. Shepafd's career was a strange one. Heir to the millions of his father, he ran away from home when a boy and .was found many years later on a ranch in Oregon. He had married and after obtaining a divorce, returned to Georgia to assist his father in the management of the Shepard property. Upon the death of the elder Shepard he received the major portion of the estate, which consisted of property in Georgia. Flori' da, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Battle Creek, Mich, and French Lick Springs, Ind. ?Mrs. Mattie Beatty, of Black River, is visiting friends in the city. HAGOOD HOME ALIVE. ; Blythewood Farmer Tells Dramatic Story of Wild Hide. iMarion Hagood, the Blythewood farmer who suddenly disappeared recently, tells a thrilling story of an adventure with bold highwaymen who held him up. disabled him, fed him on dope and liberated him during early morning hours in wcods near Jacksonville. Mr. Hagood reached Columbia a few days ago, showing effects of a rough experience. He said that he was attacked by five men about 6:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon and taken away in a touring car. He said he rode through the country with handcuffs on his wrists and was fed on white pills, water and soft drinks. He said the highwaymen did not give him anything to eat. While in a stupor he remembered a stop and heard a report. The men in the machine had cracked a safe in a small town a short distance from Augusta, he said. * J. A. Hagood, father of Marion Hagood, met his son at Cayce and brought him in a car to the home of a Columbia friend. A physician was summoned and gave Mr. Hagood a thorough examination. Surrounded by friends and home influences, Marion Hagood related the story, and his dramatic recital of events was emphasized in the worn look on his countenance and frame. Met Strange Men. Marion Hagood said he came to Columbia Saturday afternoon to sell cotton and remembered being accosted at the platform by a large man with a red face, who asked if he had seen anything of three wagons. The stranger said among other things "Tl ' '1' - J 1 ? nnHnn o f CIl/lVl It S tne Q.CV11 LU SCll tunuu at ouv/u low figures." Mr. Hagood said he made his deal and left. During the afternoon, he said, he met the same large man, who remarked, "You haven't gone home yet." Leaving the city, Mr. Hagood; said 4he stopped at Colonial Heights to get a quart o"f I oil. While there he noticed a large ! car filled with men pass the store. He left the store and when he traveled on the Koon road he saw a machine ! on the left side and a man was seen walking up and down the road. He saw another man, who appeared to be working on the car. He slowed down ! and when the car approached the oth_ I er machine a man boarded the run' ning board, he said, and was covered him with .a revolver. Being in a helpless position, Mr. Hagood resolved to show fight as a bluff, and when he did the other men rushed to the car and in another in! stant a blow landed on the back of his head. He said he was dragged from his machine, placed in the strange machine, his pockets were rifled and one of the highwaymen stepped over to his machine and returned in a short time. The men left the Koon road for Columbia, according to Mr. Hagood, and he felt a stinging sensation on his back, one of the men having given him a hypodermic injection. This 1 3 ~ ~ nnrl Vl Ck TIT Ck C itrivpn all 11 ct Li IIU Client a xx vi ii 11 M KP 0 ? W*A ??? i other "shot." Mr. Hagood said he remembered traveling toward Columbia until he passed the Seaboard railroad trestle on north Main street, when he fell into a stupor. The farmer said every time he aroused from ! the stupor he would be given two white pills. He had a faint recollection of crossing the bridge at North Augusta and seeing the lights as the party passed through the Georgia i city. Hagood said they stopped when a few miles from Augusta and the men I began to eat. They did not give him anything but soft drinks. Further on j in Georgia another stop was made, he declared, and the men left the machine to "blow" a safe. He said he was in such a stupor that he could not tell hoW much booty the highwaymen took in the raid. Hagood said * 1? ~ the men carried a suppiy ui luuis. mc touring car moved at a high rate of speed, and at about 1 o'clock he was allowed to leave the machine at a cross road in the woods. Hagood says the robbers took $500 from him. Alone and lost, the man said he wandered on the road for several hours, when he learned that he was approaching Jacksonville. He reached the Florida metropolis at about 6 o'c'ock, fatigued and hungry. Fraternity played a part in the adventure, according to the Blythe-( wood farmer. He said his first thought was to search for a member of the Woodmen of the World. He was penniless, hungry, and many miles from home and was lookingfor a Good Samaritan. He said he met a Jacksonville policeman who was a Woodman, who listened to his j South Carolina Conferem Charleston District. S. B. Harper, presiding elder; Allendale, J. T. Fowler; Appleton, J. A Graham; Beaufort, Cateret Street, .M. F. Dukes; Bethel circuit, G 0. Gardner; Black Swamp, J. K. Inabinet; Bluft'ton and Ridgeland, T. W. Godbold; Charleston, Bethel. 0. F. Wimberly; Hampstead Square, I) X. Busbee; Hampton park, R. R. Tucker; Spring street, J. H. Danner; Trinity, H. J. Cauthen; Cottageville, B. H. Covington; Cypress and Wando, W. E. Sanders; Dorchester, H. W. Whitaker; Early Branch, P. T. Morrison; Ehrhardt, T. L. Belvin; Lodge, R. P. Hucks; Meggetts, M. M. Byrd; Ridgeville, B. A. White; Summerville, S. D. Colyer; Walterboro, J. P. ^nabinet; " -??- t~> ^i j paMi'qp no P R X\.U J ell clilU OV/iUici puui/Vi j ^ , Burns. " Professor Columbia college, F. Mason Crum, Summerville. Florence District. F. H. Shuler, presiding elder; Benstory and furnished him a refreshing breakfaSt. Other fraternity men made it possible for the Carolinian to get a ticket to Columbia and forward a telegram. Marion Hagood said four men made the trip to Jacksonville in the car and one was kind to him. He said he felt sure that the other highwaymen wrould have done him bodily injury had it not been for the opportune interference of a medium size man who wore a derby. One of the men wore army clothing, and the J l^rorp man with the red face and anf' I o ~ other smaller man were the other members of the party. The farmer I said the large man wore a broad brim black hat. Dr. S. E. Harmon put him through an examination. He found a contusion on the back of the head. The physician said' Hagood's condition was not normal, and he did not possess his usual astute mind. He showed signs of being fed on "dope." Curious crowds met the Seaboard train from the South and diappointment was written on many faces when it was announced that Mr. Hagood had left the coach at- Cayce. Hagood suddenly disappeared late Saturday afternoon. His touring car was found on the Koon road, about four miles from the State House. The machine was locked, and the keys were in a dobr pocket. A note read as follows: * "We got him and the money. You will find hj^ body in the river." Blood signs were on the floor and running boards of the car and a loaded pistol was in the machine. City and county officers aided I scores of friends and acquaintances of Hagood scoured the roads and woods north of Columbia, the search continuing all day Sunday. Many theeories were advanced, but nothing developed until the father of the missing man received the glad news of his son's safety. ThA first news to reach Columbia came to the sheriff's office at 9:30 o'clock. The city police were notified and the search ceased. The message said, "Have just been released by burglars. Will be home this afterv noon/' Hagood was in a nervous and unstrung condition, and showed signs of inward suffering and hunger. "Not for a million dollars would I undergo another such experience if I could prevent it," he said, and he looked as if he meant every word he spoke. ? <o? ? ? , INDIANA MOB GETS NEGRO. Begs Off, However, on Plea of Inno- j cence Last Week. Seymour, Ind'., Nov. 27.?Henry Bently, a negro, was released by a mob which took him early today from the city jail. The negro promised members of the mob that he would return to the jail. The negro was beaten by the mob before he was released. Marion Wendell, night officer Mn charge of the jail, was overpowered by the mob and the jail keys were taken from him. Bently, wiien ne recu I UCU lu | jail, said the mob had taken him to the outskirts of the city, placed him with a rope around his neck and lifted him from the ground but lowered him when he pleaded that he was innocent of the charge of trespass on which he was arrested. ?'Rev. S. O. Cantey and W. D. Rhoad returned to the city Tuesday from Georgetown, where they attended the sessions of the South Carolina | 'Methodist conference. Methodist ze Appointments nettsvilie, G. T. Harmon; Bennettsville circuit, M. \V. Hook; Brightsville, J. A. Campbell; Bethlehem circuit, W. 0. Henderson; Blenheim, S. D. Bailey; Cheraw, G. F. Kirbv; Chesterfield, L. E. Peeler; T. B. Owen, supernumerary; Darlington, Trinity, J. H. Graves; Darlington circuit, .J. P. Attaway; East Chesterfield, C. P. Chewning; Florence, Central, L. I. McCoy; junior preacher to be supplied; Hartsville, M. L. Banks; Jefferson; W. V. Jerman; Lamar, G. A. Teasley; Liberty, T. G. Phillips; MarlV?r?T>/~w T T) A TnPn 11 T T "D ~ WU1U, o. U. i lUisacl , .Wt^UU, JU. JU. DC" denbaugh; McColl mission, J. C. ; Bunch; Patrick, W. S. Myers; Pagej land, J. R. Sojourner; Timmonsville and Pisgah, W. R. Phillips; Timmons! ville circuit, A. S. Leslie. i Kingsti'ee District. C. C. Derrick, presiding elder; Anj drews, D. D. Jones; Black River, H. W. Shealey; Cades, D. H. Everette; Cedar Swamp, H. D. Shuler; Cordesville, B. S. Hughes; Gable and Trinity, W. L. Guy; Georgetown, Duncan Memorial, R. H. Jones; West End, J. L. Stokes; Greeley ville and Lucas, W. R. Jones, Hemingway, B. J. Guess; Ploney Hill, J. Z. McConell; Johnsonville, W. A. Massabeau; Kingstree, W. W. Daniel; Lake City, W. A. Beckham; McClellansville, W. G. Airail; New Zion, T. E. Derrick; Pamplico, F. A.' Buddin; Pinopolis, J. E. Clark; Rome, G. K. Way; Sampit, D. O. Swires; Scranton, F. A. Lupton; Turb^ville, J. J. Stevenson; Trio, G. T. Rhoad. Marion District. * D. A. Phillips, presiding elder; Aynor, E. K. Garrison; Brownsville, J. L. Mullins; Bucksville, W. L. Parker; Centenary, R. W. Humphries; Conway, J. C. Atkinson; Conway circuit, j E. W. Hurst; Clio, S. G. Murphy; Dil| Ion, W B. Duncan; Dillon and Hamer iMills, J. D. Williams; Floydale, P. K. I Cresby; Lakeview, S. E. Ledbetter; batta, W. C. Kirkland.; S. J. Bethea, supernumerary; Little River, J. E. | Carter; Little Rock, E. Z. James; i Loris, C. S. Felder; H. L. Singleton, supernumerary; Marion, W. I. Herbert; ^Iarion circuit, J. E. Cook; Mullins, C. P. Watson; Mullins circuit, T. J. White; Nichols, C. W. Burgess; Waccamaw, E. F. Scoggins Business manager Southern Christian Advocate, J. H. Xonald, Little Rock; president Paine College, A. D. Betts, Conway; president Horry Industrial school, S. C. Morris, Aynor; president young peoples and adult work, W. C. Owen, Dillon. Orangeburg District. Peter Stokes, presiding elder; Bamberg, S. O. Cantey; Bamberg Mills and Embree, to be supplied; Barnwell station, F. L. Glennan; Branchville, J. A. McGraw; Cameron, P. A. Murray; Denmark, W._ E. Wiggins; Edisto, P. B. Ingraham; Elloree and Jerusalem, W. P. Way; Eutawville, Woodrow Ward; Fort Motte, W. A. Youngblood; Grover, W. G. Elwell; Harleyville, W. T. Patrick; Holly Hill A. V. Harbin; J. F. Way, supernumerary; .Norway, J. B. Weld-on; North and Limestone, E. H. Beckham; Olar, C. M. Peeler; Orangeburg, St. Paul's, T. G. Herbert; W. S. Stokes, supernuemarry; Orangeburg circuit, J. W. Araial; Orangeburg circuit, S. W. F. Danner; Providence, P. K. Rhoad; Rowesville, L. T. Phillips; St. George, S. W. Henry; St. Matthews, J. T. feeler; Smoaks, W. T. Bedenbaugh; Springfield, A. Sassard; Spring Hill, A. C. Corbett. Conference secretary of missions, A. J. Cauthen, St. Paul; conference secretary of education, G. E. Edwards St. Paul; Sunday school field secretary, J. E. Ford, St. Paul. . Sumter District. D. M. McLeod, presiding elder; Bethune, A. M. Gardner; Beaulah, Paul Wood; Bishopville, Bethlehem, W. V. Dibble; Camden, Littleton Street, W. H. Hodges; College Place, W. S. Heath; Columbia circuit, C. T. Easterling, Jr.; Elliott and Wells, R. M. DuBose; Heath Springs. W. D. Gleaton; Jordon circuit, F. E. Hodges; fvershaw, R. R. Doyle; Lynchburg, J. M. Rogers; McLeods and Bethesda. M. G. Grant; Manning, C. B. Smith; McBee, E. P. Hutson; Oswep-n .T W Elk ins; Pinewood, G. W. o *-* J ' Dukes; Providence, W. H. Perry; St. John's and Rembert K. L. Knight; Sumter, Trinity, J. W. Daniel; Broad Street, J. G. Ferguson; Summerton, T. E. Morris; Wateree, L. H. Shealey; West Kershaw, F. S. Hook.. Secretary Federal Council of Churches, E. O. Watson,. College Place; chaplain to penitentiary, J. C. Chandler, College Place; professor Columbia college, D. P. Munson, College Place. Tl HNS DOWN A MILLION. Massachusetts Man Denounces System That Made the Money. Buzzards Bay, Mass, Nov. 29.? Charles Garland, the young man who has renounced his right to a million dollar legacy, left him by his father, James A. Garland, who was a wealthy club man and yachtman of Boston, today made a formal statement of his reasons for rejecting the money. His statement, he said, was due to the fact that the many reports of his failure to accept the legacy had failed properly to present his position. "I refuse to accept the money be cause it is not mine, was young garland's summary of his action. "A system which starves thousands while hundreds are stuffed condemns itself. A system which leaves a sick woman helpless and offers its. services to a 'healthy man condemns itself. It is such a system that offers me a million dollars," he continued. "It is blind to the simplest truth; known to every child, the truth that the hungry should be fed and the naked clothed. I have had to choose between the loss of pVivate property and the law which is written in every human heart. I chose the one which I believe to be true." Believes Christ Would Have Rejected. Garland, who has stated he renounced his claim to the million dollars because he thought Christ would have done the same, continued: "I believe I could not do good with the money. It is the man who gives food to the hungry who does good, not the dollars given in exchange for the food. I would be happy to be the man if I had the food to give, but I can not lend myself to handling the money that is not mine even though the good that might be done is possibly great." Many people have written to tell him wrhat could be done jvith the money, he said. "They seem almost proud to point out the power that I have in my hands, but it is the most pitiful thing you could point to. You 'cannot serve God and Mammon.' So many people ready to serve the dollar means so many less to serve God. There are great opportunities to do good, but they are in men's i hearts, not my check book. A preacher in the name of Christ said this million should have been turned to good. He thinks that God's work is paid for in dollars. God's work will never de done until men see that this theory is untrue." Living at Mother's Expense. Mr. Garland's statement was made from his home here, a former inn of stage coach days. The young mail, who is 22 years of age, is living at the house with his wife and infant daughter as the guest of his mother, Mrs. Marie Tudor GGreen, who supplies them with a maid and keeps their larder full. He plans to go to work eventually, he said, but a year at Harvard, which he left to get married, and preparatory schooling in this country and in England fitted him for no work ready at hand, and he said he thought^ it would be spring before he found anything. His wife joined him in his renunciation of the million, Garland said. His mother, although not holding the same views, has told him to do what he thought right. In another house on the estate lives James A. Garland, third, a brother of Charles Garland, who has accepted his share of his father's estate, made larger by the fact that the mother of the boys abandoned her rights in order to marry Francis C. Green after the death of her first husband. At Harvard college is Hamilton Garland, a third son, who lacks several months of reaching his majority. His brother, Charles, said today that he understood Hamilton was also considering refusal to take his share when he hename of as:e. Their ideas on the subject are somwhat similar, he said, although the influences of'education and environment were not identical. Garland indicated that his refusal to take the money was not based on any question attached to the origin of the Garland fortune, saying he did not know from what source it was derived, but he believed it came down from his grandfather. i < > o Deathless Fame. "I can't see you at all,", said the contemptuous lipiousine. "Yet you get more notoriety than all the rest of us put together." "Versatility," snickered the flivver. "I tank, plow, cut ice and jit. Did you hear my latest?" "No." "I invented the shimmy." f METJ10DISTS WANT SABBATH LAWS AGAINST MOVING MAILS AND TRAINS ON SUNDAY. FOR STRICT OBSERVANCE. St. George Gets 1921 Conference. Session at Georgetown Concluded Monday. Georgetown, Nov. 27.?The work of the Methodist conference has been practically concluded. The session of 1921 will be held at St. George. St. George and Marion asked for the conference, but the vote for the former a was overwhelming. St. George had asked-for this year's conference and the body felt bound to the lower Car- , olina town. This is the first time that the Dorchester county seat has undertaken: the entertainment of such a body. It has recently built a very handsome church and promises generous entertainment. , The committee on Sabbath observance recommended very sweeping .and drastic laws regulating .the ob- ^ J servance of Sunday. It was recommended that Sunday mails and trains and all wo$k be forbidden. Mr. Cooper, of Tennessee, spoke on the subject and stated that all conferences of the Methodist connection were being asked to join in a petition to congress to pass laws regulating the matter. The conference adopted the report. Bishop Darlington addressed the class applying for full connection. Dr. R. E. Stackhouse, recently chosen editor of the Southern Christian Advocate to succeed Dr. W. C. Kirk land, resigned, was introduced and spoke of his new work. Dr. Kirkland edited the church paper for six years, during which time he purchased a home for the Advocate in Columbia. For the first time in the long history, of the paper it now owns its own home and plant. Dr. Kirkland not only accomplished this fine work but has given the church a fine paper. The new editor is considered one of the 1 most capable men in South Carolina Methodism. Rev. A. J. Cauthen, missionary secretary, read his report on the centenary collections. The collection has been excellent in spite of money depression. About 80 per cent, of this year's quota has been paid. Good Reports Heard. ^ Georgetown, Nov. ?4.?Reports of presiding elders show that the work . of the church is progressing finely. Financial reports show that only a slight shortage in either salaries or benevolences, the greater portion of this deficit being attributed to the break in the cotton market. Revivals have been quite fruitful in spiritual results and in a large number, approximately 3,000 additions to the church on profession of faith. The centenary movement is the cause suffering most from the financial depres sion. Dr. Bays was present, making a ; fervent appeal to the younger men that they be true to their Lord- and to humanity. The conference was saddened by the announcement that J. T. McFarlane and B. L. Tyler had died / during the year. ' r4 SUBSCRIPTIONS POUR IN. Farmers Are Interested in the New , Cotton Export Corporation. ? v MM Columbia, Nov. 29.?'The payments of the subscriptions to the capital stack of the American Products Export and Import corporation are continuing to pour into the offices in this city. This is considered one of the most remarkable evidences of determined spirit ever shown by the farmers and business men of the state. More than 5,000 subscribers have been heard from, leaving only a small per cent, of the subscriptions to come in. Of all of the hundreds of letters received in every mail only a very few have said that they were unable to take the stock and the total amounUTn these cases is not more than $100. Couldn't Be. ??? Bennett was having a chat with the charming Miss Alexander. ^ % "They say that a man is as young as he feels," he remarked. "Maybe," replied the girl, "but he is seldom as important."