The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, May 19, 1909, Image 1
?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