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?lTOR 18 VICTIM OF PISTOL ACCIDENT J. Ross Wilson of the Dem orest Stock Co. PLAYING IN LAURENS Heroic Efforts Made to Save Unfortu nate Man After the Tragedy? Itody Carried to Illinois. The people of Laurens were shock ed la6t Thursday night when the news spread abroad that Mr. J. Hoss Wilson, a member of the Demorest Comedy company, had been seriously wounded by an accidental shot fired by Mr. Dick ! ewis, another member of the compa ny; and especially were the sympa thies of the community stirred when on Friday afternoon at ?> o'clock it was it ..rued that Mr. Wilson was dead. This accident was of a distress ing nature, and the first of the kind that has occurred in Laurens, in many years at least. The shooting took place at 8 o'clock Thursday night, |ust before the time for the show, in the tent on Main street near the de pot, facing Childless' stables; Mr. W ilson was operated on at i o'clock I 1 ursday night and (lied at ?'- Friday afternoon. On Saturday the remains. ; ompanlcd by Mrs. Wilson, were i ken to Hammond. Illinois, the old I me of the deceased, for burial. The story of the accident, as told at Ihe Inquest late Friday afternoon by Ibe members of the company who hap pened to be In the tent at the time, is as follows: it was at S o'clock, and all the mem bi : s of the Demorest Comedy com pany, which was lilling a week's engagement here, were dressing for the play Of the evening, "The Ku I I.ix Klan ". Mr. Wilson was at his dresser in the gentlemen's part of the I. it, back of the stage, when he was < led by Mr. nick Lewis, the young i operty man and pianist. The pur I S6 of this call was to hand Mr. Wil son his two pistols which were to he used In the play, for Mr. Wilson was I i take the part of the sheriff. Mr. I ? .'. is had not looked in the pistol to nee if there were any cartridges, either blanks or loaded was .iust about to hand Ihe pistols, saying: "Here, Mr. Wilson, are your pistols I to-night" And Mr. Wilson turned half way around toward Mr. L< wis wn one of the pistols was dis ? barged, ,no one knows exactly how. Mr, Lewis was holding the twOplstols i i the same hand, ore on top of the Other, extended toward Mr. Wilson Who was some 0 or 7 feet distant, '?..?en the shot was tired Mr. Wilson exclaimed that he was shot, but all the men though! he was joking and del not at Iii rt co to his assistance. In fact. Mrs. Wilson was tbe first to reach him, sin- coming from the other H ?? oi the tent, the ladies' dressing looms. Mrs. Wilson recognized the Cry Ol distress and knew that her husband would not joke about nny I ? Ing Of a serious nature When it was learned that Mr. Wil son was wounded he was taken to a i it in (lie tent and the doctors hur riedly summoned, i>; sehayor beinn the first to reach the scene ihowever. i ii the physicians of the city re rtded and did all in their power lor the suffering man. I'pon exam ination it was found that the bullet, a Colt, had entered the lower al> ih men oi the right, side, ranged di reclly across and was just under the Hkin on the left side. An operation WiiS necessary ami Dr. Cur rail It. 10 rlo of Greenville was summoned. Dr, Karle with a trained nurse, Miss Sanders, arrived in an automo bil? at about ! 1: 15, ami everything \.:s made ready for Ihe operation at Ihe Hilbert house, where Mr. Wilson \.;s staying and whither he had beeil i< noved at about i" o'clock, The OpCratlOtl was performed and conclud i I at t.SSO; it was found that the in. |.-tines had been perforated in eight places Including the puncture of lite peritoneum In two places: two bcc* i.s of the Intestines had to he re - . i d and the ends ro-eappi (I, After (he operation Dr. Karle stated that 41 ???? was little hope 01 recovery. \n jfl.fiI could pOSSlbl.V be ('one for the 1 iiYerlng man. du rinn the. entire night 1 1 tl the following day. was don.- by ; rj people Of tills City and by the ? .? .? r members Of the company, but \\ s O'clock Friday night, CorotlOl' Halrston who had been summoni I. empanelled a jury and hold the in quest, ihe verdict being in accord with the above statements, and com pletely exonorating young Lewis of any charge, declaring it an acciden tal shooting. During some of bis conscious moments, Mr, Wilson called to the officers who were near not to arrest Lewis for it was accidental; and on Friday Mr. Wilson told Mr. Lewis "not to worry, for he knew it was an accident." That it was an accident seemed to be the unqualified opinion of all who were in tbe tent at the time, and all who heard the in quest. Mr. Lewis is quite a young man, being just 17. and was on per fectly friendly terms with Mr. Wilson. On Saturday at 2:M0 o'clock, Mrs. Wilson accompanying the body of her husband left on her long journey for Hammond. 111., where Mr. Wilson's parents, an aged couple live, and where the interment took place yes terday, Mrs. Wilson having arrived at noon on Monday. Mr. Wilson's fath er. Mr. William M. T. Wilson is about 7"i years of age and in failing health; he requested that the body be sent to Hammond. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the par ents of two children, Louise and How ard, aged 13 and 12 respectively, who were up until the tragedy In a con vent school at Saint Anne. 111. Mrs. Wilson has wired for them and to gether they will reside at Hammond for a short time at least. Mr. Wilson was 1 <? years of am*, and a line speci men of physical manhood; lie was an extremely devoted husband and father, so tin- members of the company agree, and his entire thought seemed to he the educating of Iiis children. He was popular with Iiis mates, all of whom liked him and regret the un timely accident that has removed him. It was learned soon aller the acci dent that Mr. Wllcon was a member of the Pythian order, his membership being at Sullivan. 111. Mr. .1 no. II. Brooks of the local lodge at once took up the matter ami in behalf of the Laurens lodge rendered all the assis tance possible, and communicated with the Sullivan lodge. The Pyth. Inns of Laurens took charge of the embalming ami funeral affairs, and bore pari of the expense! it is ex pected that the Sullivan lodge will al so bear a part. The total expense. Including the operation, burial and express charges, will amount to $233. At ihe benefit performance given on Saturday night, .?>:"!..".."? was realized and will he used in paying the bills. Mayor Babb, on the part of the Coun cil refunded to Mrs. Wilson the $23 license paid by the Demorest company, and Mr. Demorcsl paid to Mrs. Wilson the full week's salary both for herself and husband. Thus it is seen that both the Pythian lodge of Laurens. the city council and Mr. Demorest did all in I heir power for the unfortunate ones, who it is learned were almost 'without means. Mr. Wilson bad no insurance at all. The pall bearers who were appoint ed by the local lodge were Messrs. .1. II Peterson, 0. W. Haid?, c. a. Bower. W. B. Sloan. M L. Roper, .1. F. Tolbert. .1. r.. Brooks, and ,i. m. Cannon. Ac companying Mrs. Wilson and the body 10 Spni'tanbttrg were Messrs. C. m Babb it. Brooks, s. 13. Honey, and I M, Cannon. As stated. Mi-. Demorest gave a beil i lit performance on Saturday night to assist in defraying the expense, from which was realized $00.33. On Sunday niorUIng the Demorest com pany left for Greenwood where I hey are filling a week's engagement, sub stitutes for Mr. and Mrs. Wilson hav Ing been secured at once. Mrs. Wilson's Thanks. Before leaving the city Saturday. Mrs. Henrietta Wilson, the bereaved wife of Mr. .1. Loss Wilson, requested the editor of The Advertiser to thank the people of this city for their un bounded kindness ami tender sympa thy for her in h?r great 8QIT?W, Mrs. Wilson said that while she knew the people of the South were kind, sympa thetic and hospitable people, their acts during last week had been a revela tion to her. "I had no idea" said she. "that the people Were so big hearted: ami I Wish you would convey to them my heartfelt thanks for all ihey have done f?t? inc." School Picnic ,,l Uark-d.ile. The school at Barksdale will close on Friday of this week. Oil Which OC i urged to XKW PASTOR AT MOCMVII.l.K. Rev. ti. M. Hollingsworth Installed Sunday Iftcruoon. Mountville, May 17.?Rev. G. M. fiollingsworth was installed hero Sunday afternoon as pastor of Mount ville and Lisbon Presbyterian chuches ?Drs. Adams, Bean, and J. P. Jacobs of Clinton being present as a presby tery to perform tbe ceremony of in stallation. Dr. Adams preached the sermon. Dr. Bean delivered the charge to tbe pastor, and Dr. Jacobs the charge to the congregations. The same presbytery had ordained Mr. IIolllng8WOrth at Liberty Springs Church Sunday morning and also in stalled him as pastor of that church. Mr. Hollingsworth has had charge of this Held several months and is es teemed and loved by bis congrega tions. Do has just completed his work in the seminary at Columbia and will devote bis time now to the ministry in these three churches. Mr. m. B. Crisp is on a several days' visit to his sons at Whltmlre ami Concord. Sandy Springs School Picnic. The session of the Sandy Springs school. Miss Flla Peterson ten, her, will (dose on Saturday with a picnic. RCV. .1. B. Mnhnffcy of Clinton and Mr s. B. itomy of Laurens will be the speakers for the occasion. ANNUAL MEETING CAMP GARLING ,S 0ulcers Clccted for Vnether Year and Relegates Chosen to state ami National Reunions. The annual meeting of Camp Gar lington, No. r>01, Cnlted Confederate Veterans, was held Saturday morning at the ofllcc of Probate Judge 0. G. Thompson. The meeting was pre sided over by Col. Thos. It. Crews. commander of ihe camp, with Judge Thompson acting as adjutant, ("apt. B. W. Lanford, the adjutant, being absent. The camp was reorganized by the election of Col. Crews as commander, Jon M. llUdgeus, lieutenant comman der: 1.1, W. Lnnford, adjutant; R< v. J. K. .McCain, chaplain, successor to Rev. John d. Pitts, now of Blnckvllle. \t the Conclusion Of these < lections, the camp selected its representatives to tbe state and national reunions. Messrs. \\*. I'. Cok.-r. O. G. Thompson ami Messer lliibb beiiig chosen as del egates to Chester, Col. Crews. Jared D. Sullivan ami .1. D. Mot'k to M< 111 pit is. Miss Ihn in a Dial of Owings was elected as spon-er M the Memphis reunion, while the commander was authorized to appoint the state spon set". THE XKWS FROM \\ Vi i s MILLS. Sunday Scheid Will Observe Children*' Day in June. Watts .Mills. Ma. 17. -There were quite a number of youngsters who went to Yarhoi'OUgh's mill today to llsh. Among the number were Messrs. Iiuil Hobo, Rdwnrd Sims, Robt. I.e. Gary i?*OWler and Misses Ophelia Wat son. Grace Owens and others. Mr. Robert Butler and son, Wade. of cbu it in in Inn, visited relatives here Friday and Saturday, returning home Sunday. Mr. Bd. Simmons b it this morning for North Carolina. Where UC will spend a week with his parents. The Sunday school here has decided to have children's day the (bird Sun day in .lime. The Sunday seined contributed $?.*,(i last Sunday lor ot phannge support. "Rev, J. A. Marler preached Sunday morning and night at Ihe Watts chapel with a good atteialai.ee ; t both Of the Spoke en Suinlaj Ohsenaacc, Dr. Bdwat'd Thomson, national sec retary ot the Sunday League of Amer ica, was in Laurens Sunday and de livered two able and highly Interest ing addresses on the subject of Sun day Observance." The first add res* was at II o'clock at the First Method' ist church, and agfiiii in Ihe evening he was heard at Ihe Firs! Presbyteri an church. At both services Dr. Thomson was greeted by large and sympathotIc audb nei s, .\t :; o'clock Sunday afternoon Dr. Thomson's appointment ai the Seiend ? ; > i ? I f not be sure to see our lili? ka's in dlffi real si ?-. money savers in Cm ainoni one v, i|| Coiisuine, Sold on 8. m. .v ::. H. SVilke SKHVK ES \t Krise or VI. < III TO II. Rogation Bays \vill Be Observed Here Tills Week. At the Church of the Epiphany an nouncement was made last Sunday that service would he held on Monday. Tuesday ami Wednesday at Id o'clock n. in., these being Rogation days. The observance of Rogation days is an ancient custom in the church, dating, in England, from the time of the Ven erable Bede (about 7<ui a. D.), who Instituted in that country the custom of processions in planting time with [special prayers for favorable seasons and bounteous harvests. There is ' record of a somewhat similar custom on the continent .instituted between 500 and COO A. 1>. by S. .Mamertus of Vienna. In our day. while the orlg ! inal purpose of the Rogation days (Latin, rogarc. to ash a boon i is kept In view, still the scope of the peti tions is conceived to be broader than formerly, including all human neces sities, even of a spiritual sort. Thursday, May 20, in church calen dar is Ascension day. Appropriate services will be held at the Church of the Kpiphany Thursday night at S:!10 o'clock, with sermon from the text, "It is expedient for you that I v<? a way.*' The choir will meet at the close of this s?rvi<???. MOUiNTVILLL SCHOOL CLOSING EXERCISES Hun. .lue. M. Cannon of I,aureus De? livers Xotuble Vddress vi-vs Nellie Miller Graduates. Mountville, May it. Last week witnessed the closing work and ex ercises of the Mountville school, n was a busy week with teachers and pupils in examinations, promotions, and finishing up the session's work. By Thursday this was all accomplish ed and Friday was devoted to the Closing exercises proper ami to social enjoyment. in the morning a good audience of patrons and friends as sembled at the school building where tin- Commencement exercises Were held. At ii:''0 o'clock, after dovo. ilbnid exercises, Miss Nellie Sillier, the rsjiiy graduate of ilie high school departmcni. rCad an essay on the sub ject < f '?The Probhble Results 61 Present Hay Teiideiieies.'' This wits' : Idn l.'.jecl The IN il>i and liesitUs ot Life," For one hour ? ed Ihi of Ii" i? a most practical ami logical manner. it was a very interesting and helpful oration and was received with attentive eugenics* liy the entire audit nee. Afti r a brief talk oil the ohjeei ol education by the principal, a diploma of graduation was delivered to Miss Nellh Miller, who had completed the four year course prescribed for the hith school; The meeting then adjourned to the Shady park where a bountiful picnic (limn ;? was Hpl'ead, to which full jus tice was done, and which served verv acceptably to please and refresh the physical mati in ike afternoon a business 111??? ti>;: of trustees and patron- Was held in which the lireseiii corps of teachers i for Uk. ( IKISS IUI.I, SCHOOL CI.OSKS, |'!ti,lo?iiblc Ktifc rbilltlticnl (ilven hj Pupil* Pastor Installed. i by a large audience, and ;is another expressed it. it was simply i i 11?*. * * The exercises were principally drills and tlx* young people and children went through their parts without a bobble, which shows great credit ti> the teachers. The dag drill, May pole drill, the wild woman In tin woods, the brownies with theli Otitis commanded by ('apt, Charles Rasor, nil were very much enjoyed, "t'nele Sam" with his pigeon-talc ?out and striped trousers bl'OUghl ttow n (ho bouse. it is hardly fair to ^i\e apo dal mention to any one part it was all splendid, and tine music added very much to the pleasure of the e\ cuing. Memorial day was observed here last Monday, the 10th. The soldiers" graves were decorated. It was not generally known, however. This cor respondent is glad to make the cor rection and hopes the day will he 1 observed e\cry yea r. Mr. J, M. I.owe and Miss l.urie Heeder were married last Thursday at the home of the bride's mother, Rev. W. 1'. Tinner ofllciatillg. Prof. Graham <>i the Presbyterian College of South Carolina was the Kiiest ot Mr and Mrs R. A. Austin Saturday and Sunday. Rev G. M, llollingSWorh was or dained and installed pastot ol the Presbyterian church here yesterday. Rev. .1. I-'. Jacobs preached the aer. mon; Rev, Robert Adams presided ami charged the pastor, and Rev, \V S. Ileail charred the people All tie exercises were interesting Rev. .1. 0. Ileavis will speak at the Presbyterian church Wednesday eve IliUg. We hope (ill oil) people wilt come out to hear him. Reuth ill" Mrs. Nancy Cranks. Mis. Nancy Pranks, widow of Mr. .lohn Pranks, died at hi r home nl Narnle Sunday morning, nged 8."i years. The funeral and burial services, con ducted by Rev. J. M. shell, wore held Monday at Chosnul Ridge, The de censed is survived by two sous, Messrs. Cd A. and J. Ilarley Pranks, and two daughters, Mr?. A. X. Ilrt inl.it of I.an rem; aad Mi.-.- Nannie Crank; who ? Ii Ml>. Susan lira in It i(. ? ? in:, ground, le-ai Ora. \ atlilci [lie for Next Wee!,. Manag* i Wallace announces a week's engagement, hcginniiiK next Monday nig hi the 2 Ith. lor the' Klve SedgeWIck " excellent Company Who Will show . ,e clitile Week ill the city opera hbu>< This proud e to he one Of the best attractions ol the season, these vaudeville artist: having been secured only by hard work on the part of Mr. Wallace. The ;,i ogl'l ?. \< i|| |,e chaiii." d ihre, limes during the week and each per formaiice wl'? last an hour and a half. ml Personal, with l?i Tliiiisdii Had Ii GRAY^COURT LOSES HEAVILY BV EIRE Undoubtedly the Work of Incendiary. THREE STORES BURNED Tin Fire Originating in Store of U. F. Moor?- lit (.'ray Court Destroys New Itrlcli Itiilldhifr. Gray Court. May 14. \t 11 o'clock Thursday night fire was discovered in the store room <>f G. vi. "ooro hy l>r. Karle and others passion in ;i" automobile from Greenville to Lau retts. The alurm ? :is f^ i \. t? Imme dlately und a quick response was made by the bucket brigade, but tlio (lames were beyond control Tho loss Includes: The stock of groceries belonging to <; K Moon*, valued at $1,000; amount of Insurance unknown. Willis A- Curry's stock of groceries, valued at $1,500; Insurance $l.0oo One store room used by If I. Gray, for storage room, containing six bug gies, three barrels of syi'lljl and about .'?o bushels ot corn; no Insurance. The building was a single-glory tu ick structure vvhli three rooms. The building was hew, Juki erected hol year and was the only brick storeroom in (his place, There was $1,7011 Insurance on the building. Tills makes bin" stores destroyed by tire at this place in Ihne years. Il seems thai I!ray Court lui suffered from lire mine than any town of ils size in the slate, but liiere h building going on all the time; as one build ing Is destroyed there are others bullding Prof, i \ Willis was a heavy loser in the tire last night, losing all his olllcc furniture und $100 worth of books, wllh no in urance. Ml*. Willis had just moved here and was running -,n Insurance olllcc und editing the Cray CoUl't-Owiij.V! Her ald ilmosl in to M r. <'.I'll y's i? siiI or so j it i d Im \ mil i Teacher^* K.\ a III illation