Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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m.. J THE LARGEST CIRCULATION of Any Newspaper In the Fifth Congressional District of S. C. EVERY ONE PAID IN ADVANCE. The Ledger. SEMI-WEEKLY-PUBLISHED TUESDAY AND FRIDAY. WE GUARANTEE THE RELIABILITY ef Every Advertiser Who Use* the Columns of This Paper. BE8T ADVERTISING MEDIUM. A Newspaper in All that the Word Implies and Devoted to the Best Interest of the People of Cherokee County. ESTABLISHED FEB. 16, 1894. GAFFNEY, 8. C., TUESDAY, DEC. 19, 1905. AH Gaffney Is Shocked By An Awful Tragedy. TWO MEN SHOT TO DEATH IN A HOTEL. Mr. Milan Bennett and Mr. Abbott Davison, Two Members of The ‘‘Nothing But Money” Company Killed By George Hasty. Friday morning the usual quiet of the city was disturbed about 8.45 o’clock by the repoit of a revolver three times in succession, followed quickly by the screams of women crying “murder.” The police responded to the call from the Piedmont Inn, conducted by Hasty Brothers. As they went in, a man came out calling for a doctor. Investigation showed that Geo, Hasty, one of the brothers, had shot and in stantly killed Mr. Milan Bennett, musical director of "Nothing But Money” com pany, which showed here Thursday night, and possibly mortally wounded Mr. Abbott Davison, the comedian and star performer. It was Mr. Davison who Came down the steps calling for a doctor. The sheriff and police force arrested Hasty and lodged him in jail. The coro ner was notified and empaneled a jury. The jury was taken to the hotel where the dead body was viewed and they adjourn ed to meet at the court house at 1.30 where the testimony was heard. The fol lowing is the testimony as given by the witnesses: The I.atly’n Evidence. Miss Verne Sheridan testified that after coming back from the theatre she and Mr. Bennett had a little lunch in her room, after which Mr. Bennett left, lock ing her windows securely, before telling her good night, as he heard how Miss Bishop had been annoyed by a man early in the afternoon. Soon after Mr. Bennett left she heard some one at the door. She did not say anything. In a moment he went out on the veranda and attempted to pet in her window, which opened on the veranda. Failing there, he came baak to the door and attempted to break it in by putting his weight against it. He than climed up to the transom and at tempted to look in by striking a match. She then recognised George Hasty. She then called Mr. Bennett, and Hasty drop ped down from the transom. She opened the door and called Mr. Bennett again. Mr. Bennett came but could find no one. He then told her to go to bed and he would sit up in the room and write music. She objected to this, but he would not hear to leaving her there alone. So he sat there until 4 o’clock this morning, when he went to his room for a comfor ter, which he wrapped around him, sleep ing on the foot of the bed till 7. He left her then, telling her that he would call her in time to catch the train. At 8 he called her and went to the posloffice, tell ing the negro hoy to make a fire. The negro came to the door and she told him to wait a few minutes till she could let him in. In a moment or two George Hasty knocked at the door and asked her if she had a fire, when she told him that she did not have any, nor did she want any. She then shut the door. When Mr. Bennett came back she told him of the occurrence as they went to breakfast. Soon Hasty came in from the kitchen and was pointed out to Mr. Bennett. The young lady begged Mr. Bennett not to bother with it, not to have a fuss. He said he would speak to him about it in a moment. He then went to Hasty and said something to him in a low tone. Hasty began at once to deny what Mr. Bennett had said. When Bennett turned to her and asked if he was the man, being told positively that he was, Bennett said: “I do not wish to cause any trouble, but just wish to tell you that any man who will look over the transom of a lady’s sleeping apartments does not conform with my ideas of a gentleman.” The young lady then told Mr. Bennett to let him alone, if he was low enough to do the trick he was low enough to deny it. Mr. Bennett then started to walk away, when Mr. Hasty asked him in the hall. When they went out Miss Bishop came in and asked what the trouble was. When Miss Sheridan told her of the oc currence, she said, “That’s the man who insulted me yesterday afternoon.” At that Mr. Davison, who was sitting at the table, jumped up and took his glasses off, saying to Miss Bishop “Is that the fel low?” Miss Bishop told him he was, hut asked him not to have any row with him. She tried to hold him hack, hut he would go; he went out ami said “You are the same fellow” and struck him. The Shu'itlng. Immeniately Hasty shot twice at Mr. Davison, one ball taking effect in his side and the other going astray. Mr. Davison grappled him, trying to get the weapon. Hastv jerked loose and shot Mr. Bennett through the heart. Mr. Bennett threw his arms across his body, ran [down the hall, and in a moment fell dead. Mins BUbop’M Account. Miss May Bishop testified that about 4 o’clock on the previousafteruoou, while sitting in her room, which had a window I opposite Mr. Davison’s £room, Hasty came in there to get some cards he had left. In a moment or two became back and then came a third time. The third time he came to her window, she asked him what he wanted. When he asked her if she did not want a drink, she told him she never drank. He talked with her a moment and then insulted her. Fhe told Mr. Davison of it. The rest of her testimony was about the same as that of Miss Sheridan. The negro servants were examined, but no new facts were brought out. Th« itrother’H Story. Will Hasty, n brother of the prisoner, was sworn and testified that Mr. Bennett told him to have a fire built for Miss Sher dan and that he sent his brother George to build it. He was in the kitchen when he sent George out, that he stayed there a few minutes and thwent out in the out hall. As he went through the dining room he saw Miss Sheridan, Miss Bishop and Mr. Davison in the hall and saw Mr. Bennett and George talking. Just then Mr. Davison brushed by him and went to George and grabbed hold of him with his left hand, at the same time striking him with his right. George stumbled when he was struck and Mr. Bennett caught hold of him. Quicker than he could tell it, George shot Mr. Davison. He testified that he saw Mr. Davison with something bright in his hand. He also exhibited a pen knife he found after the body was taken up,six hours after the shooting. Dr. Nesbitt testified as to the cause of death and the jury brought in a verdict in accordance with the facts. The affair is greatly regretted by the people of the town, who offered every assistance possible.Mr. Davison was a Mason and a Knight of Pythias and was not among strangers. UaviM on’* Testimony. Mr. Davison was able to make the fol lowing statement: “State of South Carolina, Cherokee county. Statement of Geoige Abbott Davison. “Mr. Bennett, Miss Sheridan, Miss Bishop and myself were in the dining room at the Piedmont Inn and a man came in about my height (I am about six feet high), smooth face, slender. Miss Sheridan said that ‘there’s the man who tried to climb over my transom.’ Said it in a low tone to Mr. Bennett. Mr. Ben nett walked over to him and said, ‘You owe that lady an apology, you insulted her, you tried to climb in ihe transom, you rapped 011 the door, said you were the porter and asked if she wanted a fire built,’ and said ‘that was no way for a gentleman to act, and you owe her an apology.’ This fellow said, ‘I am not, afraid of any man alive and if she says I did that she lies.’ Said, ‘Come out iu the hallway and I will tell you how it hap pened’. Then he went out with Mr. Ben nett into the hall. After they got into the hall, Miss Bishop said, ‘That is the man who tried to get into my room yes terday afternoon.’ I walked into the hall as this fellow was saying, ‘She is a liar.’ 1 said, ‘No, she is not, and you tried to get in the other lady’s room yesterday after noon,’ meaning Miss Bishop. He said, ‘No, I didn’t.’ 1 said, ‘You lie, you did.’ “He pulled out a revolver and started to shoot and I grabbed bis arm again. This was the finish. He shot Mr. Ben nett. When he first shot, he shot me, hitting me on the right side of the stom ach. I grabbed his arm, he broke away ami shot Mr. Bennett. He (Bennett) fell over on his face and I grabbed his arm again. People came in then and I step ped over Bennett and out for a doctor and came over here (Commercial Hotel).! Signed, George Abbott Davison.” The Autfi|My. An autopsy was performed late Friday j night upon the body of Mr. Milan Ben-; nett .and the bullet reported above as! entering the heart or near it was located. ! Had entered between seventh and eighth : ribs, penetrating the heart, causing al most instant death. It had been dis closed late Friday that two shots struck Mr. Davison, the wounded man, only one, however, taking effect, the other lodging in the clothing, although passing through the coat and vest. Mr. Davison Dead. Mr. Davison died about 7 o’clock Saturday night. Physi cians and the faithful women the of company did all in their pow er for him, giving him every attention. The whole town was ready to do anything possible for him to relieve his suffering. Those who remained over with him expressed themselves as feeling that they were among the best people in the world. They were more than pleased with the expressions from the citizens and the proffers of as sistance. The Masons and Knights of Pythias were most attentive. Gaffney has never had anything to occur in her history that has been regretted more than this. The members of this company showed themselves to he the most perfect ladies and gentle men, and had every appearance of being considerably above the average of show people that visit our town. Mr. Walsh, the manager, is a most polished gentleman, while Mr. Davison made friends by the score even since he had been struggling to keep the faint spark of life in his body. Mr. Bennett, the young man shot dead, was not a “show man” as they are called, but a musician who had gone out with the company because of his friends’ connection with it and in ordei to get to see the coun try. The company has been dis banded and all the member* have departed for their homes. Mr. Hatty Talk*. When seen Saturday after noon in the county jail Mr. Geo. Hasty, charged with the mur der of the men, stated that he shot in self-defence, that neither of the men would make any explanation and both , ad vanced on him, one with a knife and the other with something in his hand, but he did not know what. He said that even after he shot he tried to jerk loose from them. He said that the ladies who testified knew nothing of the affair, that he did not invite Mr. Bennett out, but that he was followed by both ot them who came almost in a run He said that he re gretted the occurrence very much, but if he had to do it over be would do as be did. He did not care to talk much. Friday night the Pythians and Masons ordered a floral design. It came in Saturday and was a thing of beauty. It contained the emblems of both orders with the number of the lodge, each emblem being made of the flow er of the order. FuihI KhIm«mI for I'Hrty. Both lodges sent Mr. Ed. H. DeCamp, editor of The Gaffney Ledger, as an escort with the body. It was learned that there might he a possible lack of funds and almost $300 was rais ed, and when the guests, for such they were, went to pay their bill, Mr. Parish would take nothing. The subscription was kept open Sunday and two Sabbath schools, tho First Bap tist and the Presbyterian, con tributed to the collections for the day. Saturday at the inquest, and in fact all day Friday and Satur day the best ladies of the town were with the unfortunate young ladies who received such a blow. Time Set for MurriaKe. The time had been set for the marriage of these two young ladies tothe gentlemen who were slain, and their condition was truly pitiable. There were 500 citizens at the depot to bid them 11.00 A PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS. Robert Leavell, of Newberry, was a visitor in the city Friday. R- H. Nesbitt and G. F. Henry, of Spartanburg, were among the visitors in the city Friday. R. W. White, of Gastonia, N. G., was in the city Saturday He called at The Ledger office good bye and to pay their re- and left his subscription. spects to the dead. It was not a crowd of idle snectators but of noble, sympathetic men and women, who had come to do what they could. When the committee handed the donation to Mr. Walsh he said, “For the company I will accept it, but for myself I cannot,” and with much feeling said, “All I can say is I thank you.” One of the men, a noble hearted man who would not leave the ladies in their distress, broke down and wept, while some of the strongest men in Gaffney joined with him and drew handker chiefs from their pockets. When the witnesses come back for the trial the homes of Gaffney will be open to them. A number of the citizens insist ed on the ladies remaining here as their guests till the trial in February, but they would go home. And thus the curtain falls upon the first act in the most tragic drama ever enacted in Gaffney. The following message was received by Mayor Gaffney yes terday afternoon : Malden, Mass., Dec. 18, ’05. R. M. Gaffney, Mayor, Gaffney, S. G\ Your kind message of sympa thy for our terrible loss greatly appreciatin. Body arrived all right. Mrs. T. S. Bennett. A Card of Thank*. In behalf of Mr. Austin Walsh, manager of “Nothing But Money” Company, and the members of the above company, I wish to thank the citizens of Gaffney for their kind assistance and sympathy shown us in our hour of need. We cannot ex press our appreciation, but al low mo in behalf of the mem bers of the company, to thank Dr. B. L. Allen and Mr. 0. G. Parish, of the Commercial Ho tel, and to again thank the citi zens and their spokesmen, Mess. J. Q. Little and E. II. DeCamp, also the Masons and K. of P’s, for their beautiful floral tributes aud many kindnesses and ex pressions of sympathy. Believe me, truly yours, Robt. Taylor. Business Representative.” J. H. Turner, who lias been in Covington, Ga., this season buying cotton, has come to spend the holidays with his family. L. C. Posey, of Spartanburg, a prominent traveling man, was in the city Friday. President T. E. Moore, of the Gaffney Mfg. Co., spent Friday in the city. Chas. P. Ligon, of Spartan burg, spent Sunday in the city. J.'Eb. Jefferies is in York- ville for a few days on busi ness. Will Borders, of King’s Creek, was in the city for a few days this week. Rev. F. C. Hickson left last night for a visit to relatives in Alabama and Louisiana. He expects to be away for several weeks. H. A. Turney and J. J. Gib bons, of Grover, N. C., were business visitors at The Ledger office yesterday, Misses Ara and Ola Stacy, who have been attending Lin- wood College, in North Caro lina, have come home to spend the Christmas holidays with their sister, Mrs. Hedrick. I Think I Thunk a Li*. I used to think when I was young, And my heart was free from gut)*, That there was grief in every t*ar And joy in every smile; And friendship wa» not a cheat And love could never die; But thinking now of what I thunk. I think I thunk a lie. I used to think about myself And think that I would be A governor or a president, Or a general like Lee. But I, have waited long in vain, While years rolled slowly by, And thinking now of what I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I used to think the ladies were All sweetness combined, That they were all God’s last and best Of perfectness refined: That they were not half pads and paint, But angels from on high, But thinking now of what I thnuk, I think I thunk a lie. The preachers, too, I used to think, Were not like other men. And were not tempted of the flesh, And could not therefore sin, But since I’ve traveled round a hit, I’ve watched them on the sly, And thinking now of what I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. The honest tiller of the soil. When marketing his crop, i Takes pains to put Ihe ripe and best. Always upon the top. I used to think those honest men Would never cheat or try, Bu< thinking now of what I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. The editors, a lordly set, Who live on milk and honey. They’ve nothing else on earth to do But write and rake in money, Leastwise that way I used to think, And now it makes me cry To think about the way I thunk, And how I thunk a lie. What, noble men the doctors are, I used to think they camp Childrrn’H D*y. There will be children’s day exercises at Providence church next Sunday, the 24th, and on Monday a Christmas tree. Ad dresses will be made by Rev. F. C. Hickson, and other promi nent speakers at the Sunday exercises; and dinner will be served on the grounds. Ituuk* Will Clano. The Merchants and Planters Bank and The National Bank of Gaffney will remain open till 7 o’clock P. M. on Saturday, De cember 23rd, for the accommo dation of their customers, and will he closed Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th, December as Christmas holidays. Change at Kxpre** Office. Mr. Fisher, the agent of the Southern Express Company, has moved his office into the Com mercial Hotel. The larger packages will be handled there, while the small ones, and money orders also, will still be hand led at the former office in the Settlemyer building. * Working Under Difficulty. This issue of The Ledger has been gotten out under unusual difficulties. A piece of our linotype machine is broken and we have had to order anew one from the factory ; the editor ancK manager is away, and we are short on help. We beg the in dulgence of our readers, and hope to have everything in prop er order by next issue. Freight f’»r Wrecked. A freight car was derailed last evening just before train No. 38 arrived in the city. The train was delayed some time on account of this car blocking the track. The car was loaded with whiskey and tobacco, but fortunately the booze a/rtists of the city did not “g contents. *'on” to its One Kcgru Ktfiot* Another. News of another scooting affray in the county reached thweity Saturday moyn- ing. This time trf participants were ne groes, one Tom Scruggs being the man behind the gun/and Hay Ross the vic tim-. J The shooting \occurred early Friday night, about oiAht miles northwest of Gaffney. Sheriff Thomas went to the scene of the difficulty; but, so for, Scruggs has eluded arrest. Clear thinking, decisive action, vim and vigor of body and mind, the sparkle of life, comes to all who use p r0 m heaven or some heavenly land Hollister’s Rock Mountain Tea. 35 ^ n ,j wor ked for love and fame, cents, Tea or Tablets. Gaffney Drug Thaf th ,, v con | (l fc ure all human ills Company. ; \ n ,] nover let us die, R„ t thinking now of what I thunk, —You have been calling constant-; f think I thunk a lie. ly for ‘‘Aunt Dina’s” Sarsaprilia. We The lavvy p r3 , t oo. I used to think— have it now. 50 cents per bottle, q‘ 0( j forgive the thought— three bottles of $1.25. Gaffney Dnis T))at their ronvic tjons of the right Company. ; f' on ] ( i not by knaves be bought; ~~~ “ ‘ . That they would not a silent rob —Hats for Men, Youths and (Jib 0r « 3eir . hlm OT , tho s i y: dren at bargain prices at J. I- sai** p ut thinking now of what T thunk, ra ^ 8 - I think I thunk a He. o .. » a ♦ v, it The dry goods men are honest, too, -See my line of Scotch mixtures If Th(iy ^ KW< , ar they soll at POHt; j I used to think they told the truth. A. Gregg riusoug, of Green ville, Tenn., was in the city Saturday. Killing at Greer. Friday at 10 o’clock Chief of Police M. I). Littlefield, of Greer, shot and killed Lewis Brewton, colored, fwis- pected of selling blind tiger liquor. Chief Littlefield went to Greentown, a negro settlement in that place, to arrest Brewton. He found him in a negro house, arrested him and was leading him out of tho house when the negro drew his gun. The chief was quick enough for him ami both began firing about the same time. Five shots were exchanged, Brewton firing three of these. The negro ran out, firing as he went and fel! dead within 100 yards of the house, f’oro- ner Wooten empaneled a jury Friday evening, which rendered a verdict of justifiable homicide. Lewis Brewton was one of the most notorious blind tigers in that section. He boasted of the piles of money he had made out of the business. It is thought that Brewton was but the agent of whi*o men in the Dark Corner. in need of Dress Goods, ratt. And all their profits lost. -Shoes for everybody at slaughter I thought a yard was full three feet- prlces at J. I. Sarratt’s. —Fresh Pork Sausage at L. W. Mc- Guinn’s market. Turner wheat $1.25 per bushel at my home in city. Moses Wood. 11-20 tf. M Q*t th* Habit," go to NBLSON’B. Don’t ask my reason why— But thinking now of what I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. ItJ The niggers, too, I used to think. If once they were set free Would make good honest citizens Like white folks used to be. But they have wandered far from grace. The chickens still roost high And thinking now of what I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. Beautifying methods that injure the skin and health are dangerous. Be beautiful without discomfort by tak ing Hollister’s Rocky Mountain Tea. Sunshiny faces follw its use. 35 cents. Gaffney Drug Company. —Conundrum. Why are price like a broken drum? they can’t be beat. Nelson’s Because —Nice line Fancy Vests at J. R. Tolle- son & Co. it —Swell Fancy Vests at J. R. & Co. Tolleson it —If time is money, where else can you save as much of it as at Nelson’s? —Big lot of Quilts from 85c to $2, at J. I. Sarratt’s.