Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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YOUTH SHOT FATHER TO SAVE HIS MOTHER Jesse V. Fuller, Well Known Farmer, Meets Violent Death SEQUEL TO SERIES OF FAMILY STRIFES Terrible Tragedy Enacted Early Fri day Mornng at The Fuller Home Followng the Father's Con duct the Day Before. "I am badly Shot ? I believe I'm killed; can't you do something?won't you pray for nie?" These were the words and the pite ous appeal that greeted John L. Whit ? i k as is* lushed almost breathlessly from his cottage In the early dawn ? it a new day to the side of his brother in-law, Jesse V. Fuller who, In his ; gonfxing helplessness, was struggling to rnlae himself from the hallway] floor c/ his home where, mortally wouutfed he laid collapsed only ;i iuq? ! Meat oi o before. J "Ti-.r.t cowardly boy. li b, shot me I und I'm going to die," continued the j denth-strick? n man as he was support- I ed and led back into his room and ; placed on the bed by Mr. Whitlock. j This was shortly after live o'clock in i the morning, and a little over four J 'iiui'.it; later Jesso Fuller breathed his last, the victim of a terrilic gunshot wound inflicted at the hands of his eighteen year old son, John lrby Pul ler. The boy used a cheap shotgun .ind he claims that he fired on his fa ther to save the life of hie mother. The former elegant country home of the late L. \V. Ramage was the scene last Friday morning of a terri ble family tragedy, the enactment of which resulted in the untimely death -if Jesse V. Fuller, a substantial and hardworking farmer who with his* family has lived at the Ramage place, now owned by Mr. R. B. Bell, since Thanksgiving day 1903. This unfortunate affair was, it seems, the culmination of a series of domestic troubles, invariably preclpi. tated, it is claimed, by the head of the family himself, who possessed a vi elem temper and when aroused ap peared to have little or no centred of his passion. The beginning of Fri day's fatal clash was on Thursday the day before, when it is alleged Jesse Fuller, tb" father, brutally assaulted his eldest son. Hen Tillman Fuller, out in the held whore the latter, together with others was engaged in plowing. The father found fault with Hen's work and upon receiving from the youth the reply that he was doing the best he could in such rough ground, Jesse knocked the boy down and oth erwise cruelly assaulted him. Hen was sent from the field and put to picking cotton in another part of the faun. That night Hen told his mother he was going to leave, that he was 20, and that he could not longer stand his father's treatment. He carried out his intentions without the father's knowledge, it seems. Somewhat earlier than usual, Jesse arose Friday morning and aroused the entire household, giving orders that everybody get busy. He appeared to bo in an extremely irritable frame of mind. After getting lrby and Wash, the second and third sons, oft' to the barn to feed and water the stock, Jesse returned to the family living room to finish dressing. As Mrs. Fuller was about to leave the room for the kit chen. Jossa brought up tho subject of Hen's disappearance during the night, having discovered his absence, and Charged his wife With encouraging the boy's leaving home. She denied the accusation, whereupon the hus band flow Into a rage and aft?r using Ian/mage that cannot be repented here he struck Mrs. Fuller several blows on the bend with* his shoe. Inflicting one 01' more Ugly wounds which dazed Mrs. Fuller and caused her much pain afterward. About this time the boys. lrby nnd Wash, returned to the bouse, having heard the screams oT their mother and the cries of some of the smaller child ren. Wash stopped in the hall while, lrby rushed up the stnriwny. got n shotgun thai lie had left the night be fore at the head of the sli ps, and re traced bis steps to about half way the staircase. Beholding his father nour ishing a pistol nnd in (he net of lev^l ito It on his mother, with the threat itnd declaration that he, Jesse, would exterminate the whole family, begin ning with his wife, Irby raised his gun and flred, after warning his fathe'* not to shoot or strike his helpless mother another blow. The entire charge of No. ii shot took effeet in Iiis abdomen and the wounded man fell out into the hall. Mr. Whit loek heard the report of the gun and hurried to the scene. Besides assist ing the wounded mail to Iiis room. Mr. Whitlock told Irby to go for a doctor. Drs. Bailey of Clinton and Walker of Watts mills were secured ami both re mained with Mr. Fuller until the end. Neighbors and friends hurried to the beclouded home and offered sympathy and assistance. Meantime Irby. after getting Dr. Walker to his father's bedside, came directly to the city and surrendered to the sheriff, requesting that he be allowed to attend the funeral in the event of his father's death which had not occurred at that time. In the af ternoon. a?c'0tttppnled by the sheriff, young Puller weuf; back home and got a change of clothes. Sheriff O.v IngS, while there, secured the" {5!M ' pistol which played their part In the tragedy. On Saturday morning Un voting man was released on a $1,000 bond. At o o'clock Saturday after noon, he Joined the other members ? ot the family, including Ben who had returned home, and a largo concourse of friends and neighbors around the grave of him whose life had come to j a sorrowful close the day before. The j burial service was held nt Leesvillc, Church and was conducted by members and ofllcers of Oak Grovo Oftnp Wow which is located within sight of his late home. Jesse Puller was only 33 years of nge. .He married Miss Alice Whitlock ' 23 years ago and to them were born j nine' .children. Coroner R. O. Hairston conducted .e inquest Friday afternoon. The testimony was taken of Mrs. Fuller, Wash Shell Fuller, and .lohn L. Whit lock. The verdict was In accordance with the facts as testified to by those eyewitnesses, nothing more. At The Second Baptist. At the Second Baptist church Thurs day night at 7:30 o'clock. Rev. .1. F McGlll, of Clinton preached a very in teresting Thanksgiving sermon, after which an offering was made by the congregation for the Connie Maxwell orphanage. Rev. Mr. McGlll has just closed a re vival meeting at the Lydia mills at which he received about seventy mem bers into his church at that place, fif ty of which are for baptism. in connection with the Lydh church and Clinton Second, he will also preach at Holly Grove church, begin ning in January next. TUESDAY WAS MOVING DAY. Many ( hamrcs of Residence Made in The City Yesterday. Tuesday of this week was moving day, there having been a number of changes in places of residence in the city. Mr. J. C. Shell has rented his house to Mr. William Solomon, who moved on Tuesday. Mr. Shell will re tain a room in his old residence and take his meals at bis father's. Mr. .!. M. Shell's. Mrs. Lena 10. Moore. Mr. Shell's mother-in-law, who has been living with him, has gono to l.anford to live with her son. Mr. F. II. Moore. Mrs. By die Watkins has moved from her former residence on West Main street to the house vacated by Mr. 10(1 ward Barksdalo on Sullivan street, while Mr. Barksdale moved to Mrs. W. B. Bramlctt.s on South Harper Street. Mr. S. F. '?oney will occupy the (Janet t residence on West Main street. Mrs. \V. II. Garreit will continue to reside at her old home. Mr. Sam D. Saxon, n former resi dent of this city will remove to Lau rena in about ten days, taking the house now occupied by Sheriff Owings. It Is not known yet where Sheriff Ow ings will move. Oyster Supper at Grn> Court. The ladies of Gray Court will servo an oyster supper, and gonoral "hot snppM-" on Friday evening, of this week, December 3rd., in Gray's new store room. Fvorybody Is cordially invited. MISS JULIA CLARK IS CRITICALLY ILL eiiiit<;n. Nov. 29?Much sympathy has been rroused In Clinton by the serious illness of Miss Julia Clark at the Thornwell orphanage. The Phy sicians hold out no hope for her re covery. She is a graduate of Thorn well Orphanage, In which her mother held a position as matron until her death last January. Miss Clark is very young, not much over twenty. She had accepted a po sition to leach in Ahheville county and up to a few weeks ago hoped to be able to till her engagement. ? Another ease of illness which has aroused interest in that of Mr. E. C. Mriggs. His condition is not regarded as critical, but he is quite sick and has been for some time. Mr. Crane of FunnuAi Preached. Mr. .1. l). Crane, a FVirman univer sity ministerial student, preached for the congregation of the First Daptist church last Sunday at both the morn ing and evening services, (he pastor. Rev. \V. F. Thayer. being absent from the city. Mr. Crime's sermons were earnest, helpful discourses. While in the city he was the guest of Mr. M. H. Powlc r. .IjOVERNOR'S ORDER STOPS COCK FIGHT The following Columbia News and Courier on Saturday wlfl interest Ad J vertiser readers. Some folks up In Laurens county wore a little disappointed today. They were planning a bin old time. Whal ? lse could this be but a chicken fight! But? The telephone rang In the Gover nors office this morning. "Hello, who's that?" asked Secretary Bethen. II was an officer in Cross Hill to tell of the cock fight that was to be held tiiis afternoon. Secretary Bethen informed the officer of his authority to stop the tight and then sent a telegram to Mag istrate Culberston at Cross Hill, tell ing him that he would be expected to put a stop to the light. There is a law on the statute books prohibiting cock lighting in this state. True they get away with 'em some time. Ihn it i- mighty seldom, and never when the governor's Office know of it in ad vance. On those occasions be puts the law to head off the bout, and If J the performance is pulled off th ro is trouble for someone because then someone Is responsible. To be Given Away Christmas is coining, and The Advertiser is going to give four little boys and girls a present each. How to get it? Write us a Christmas story. By December 18th have the story in The Advertiser office and a committee will judge the papers, award the prizes and the four stories will be published in The Ad vertiser, with the names of the writers. Any subject that bears on Christmas time, an essay on Christmas, what it means, the story of Christ, or any thing that pertains to the season?that is what we want you to write about. Note the following* Instructions: 1. All children under .14 years of age are en titled to enter the contest. 2. The story must be in the office by Satur day, December 18th. 3. The story must not contain more than 1000 words, and must be written in clear hand, using one side of the paper. 4. The writer of the best story will be given $2.00 in silver; the-writers of the three next best will be given $1.00 each. Now, children, try for one of these prizes, have your story printed in The Adve rt iser. Think of it, there will be something like 12000 people to to read your story. What say you? To the school teachers in the county, we di rect an urgent appeal that they endeavor to have a.^ many of their pupils enter the contest as possi ble. What say you, Prof. Culbertson? And you, Prof. Jones? And you, Prof. Parrott? And you, Prof. Martin? And you, Prof. Hall? And all the teachers in all the schools of the county, what say you? It will be beneficial to your pupils and to your school. Urge the children to begin today; tell them some subject upon which to write, and see that they send the stories to the office by Sat urday, December 18th. The time is short and de lay will hurt or hinder. Begin today. $f).00 to be given away. Why not get part of it? It will help you get some pretty present for some friend. Get in the contest and win. MISS T. CRAIG HUNTER WINS THE FIRST PRIZE MUH I TUE TROLLEY LI \ K. I.aureus Chi in ms lluvc ItOOll Sei Hc fore Dukes Sj ndlcntc. As announced last weck, the Lau rens chamber <>i' commerce will nol iu> found lagging in the matter of get ting the claims of this city before the Dukes syndicate, who contemplate constructing a great bell line In the Piedmont section of the state. A few days ago, Dr. II. K. Alken, president of the Chamber of commerce, mailed to ("apt. Ellison A. Smyth, a member of the new trolley company, a copy of the prospectus recently got ten out by Mr. .). B. Slrrinc of Green ville, of the line from Clinton to Lau rens; also the prospectus made by Mr. J. F. Jacobs of Clinton some yea s ago. ('apt. Smyth ncknowlcgcs the re ceipt of these ami stales that, of j course, nothing definite can yet be said regarding the Intentions of the Company, except that it will build an electric line from Helton to Greenville i and on to Spnrtanburg. The other j lines will comp later. it is the hope of Laurens thai the line will he extended to I'nlon, thence: over the Union & Glenn Springs road. , ihcnco to Clinton, thence to Laurens and <<n to Helton, thus forming a most ! excellent belt. THANKSGIVING ( IM IM II SERVICE. Scrinan by Dr. Hoper Contribution For Connie Maxwell Orphanage in conformity to a long established custom. Thanksgiving sei,ices were held Thursday evening by the congre gation of the First Dnptist church at the graded school nutitoi'ium. By in vitation. Dr. I.. M. Roper, pastor of the First Baptist church, Spartanburg, oc cupied the desk, preaching an eloquent ' and inspiring sermon, abounding in beautiful and practical thougths fit ting the occasion. As usual, the collection, amount ! ing to $27.12, goes to Connie Maxwell orphanage, Greenwood. Shell Defeats Lenk Far Mayor. In the election yesterday for mayor ' of Cray Court, Mr. K. T. Shell defeated Mr. J. X. Leak, the incumbent, by a ! vote of 21 to 1".'. Messrs It. I.. Cray. G. T. DorrolL and *'. Bodgors were elected aldermen, nnd Messrs. .1 W. i Wells and I.. C. Dor roh inn the second I race for i hat posit ion. Miss KENNED) WHITES BE AY, Endorsed Bj Clinton t . B. ("<? IM?) Of Confederacy. Clinton. Xov.3!) The Stepreil D. Lee chapter I . D. C, met yesterday after noon at the residence of Mrs. W. II. Shand's to give certain final Instruc tion tO IhO delegates to Xewberry. Among other tilings they passed reso ; hnions endorsing an entertainment called " Secession" just published'by Miss Fremde Kennedy. The endorse ment of the state convention will ho asked for at New berry. This entertainment wns presented here last spring for the benefit of (he monument fund by the pupils of Thornwell Orphanage and was quite well received Negro Conference \t ('Union. (Minion, Nov.2fl The negro popula tion of Clinton uro greatly Interested 111 the meeting of Hie annual confer ence, i f the Clinton, A. M. i;. church, which is if) bo held here this wer k. Delegates nnd visitors are already pourli In. The IN'terson Concor! Company? On Thursday evening of this week comes Mio ivtrrson Concert company, the third attraction in the School ly count course. The program, of varied musical features will be pleasing throughout, nil the members of the company being accomplished In their line. There are four of the Peterson staters, and they are commended as artists of great skill. The perform ance will la-gin at 8:30 o'clock. Sec Prof, .loe.es ftnd SeCUre tickets; the season tickets for two are now ?':;.<h?, with four more attractions, Work fin Conrl House Plat. And grass will grow i n the court louse yard in the city of LnUroits. Mow do wc know? Because it Is boi ing planted there, tin Monday morn ing work was begun on the ground. Icvollng off. and laying out walks. The plat will present a duo appear. Second Award In Great Con test Goes to Roland Moseley ON EVE OF FINALS BIG VOTE WAS CAST Misses Smith mid Kinkel} the Winners oi' Third and Fourth Premiums, ItCKpoctlvol) (her 200,000 for Leading Contestant. Miss T. Crnlg 11unter of Ora wins the first prize in The Advertiser's ?reut popularity contest. Iier majority over the second contestant being. 52,400. Koland Mosley wins the se cond, the handsome buggy and har ness, while Miss Mary Smith and Miss Hello DlaUcly win the tl.ii?; and fourth prizes, respectively. Miss Hunter wins the piano. Duriufi the Inst week of the contest Miss Munter lias polled 07,070 votes, die musts remarkable work imagina ble. While th" other contestants worked hard and faithfully, this work by Miss Hunter and her fi'lei .is In phenomenal. Molnild Mosley polled darin;' t ho week 17,000 \ otes. Miss Hunter, who wins t!:< pretty piano, is the fourteen-year-old duught - er of Mr. and Mrs. () I,. Iluiltor oP Ora; sho is a bright, and altractive little lady, still in her "teens" and still at school. The readers of Th? Advertiser will sei her picture in next week's issue; it was Impossible to Bo on re it for todays paper. It was not exactly a merry seem: al Tin' Advertiser oflice last night. The interest was too intense; conver sation rather lagged at times, people keeping their thoughts to themselves. There was a largo crowd on hand, and a good deal of fun was had?? i this chiefly, though, by the friends of the contestants. Mr. Oscar Hunter of Ora. father of Miss ('ralg Hunter [was on hand; Mr. .Mosley and Roland were there. In fact, "wo wore all there". And everybody was watting for the. last count; it was somewhat delayed owing to the lr.t< n< ss of the train from Clinton. It is all over! The Advertiser'* "(Sreal popularity Contest" which has I occupied the hit ? I ? ' the people for so many we< ks hit cotno to ii (dose a happy close for the winners. They are to be congratulated upon j their success, and they will long rb i member the long and hard "bnttlo ol ballots '. There v ore i uiny pleasant Incidents connected with the contest and it will be tnony days before it is forgotten. The Advertiser fully appreciates all the work that has been done; it haH I worked for the Interest of the papor, and now the management are en couraged to make a better newspaper 'and to better serve the public. Tho paper lias, now, a circulation, that, it is confidently believed, is unequallod by tiny other in the entire state. This fact is deeply appreciated and the of j forts of the paper will now bo to give heller service to all tin- people. TllO . Advertiser sincerely thanks its many friends for the Interest manifested in \ lllo contest and for the good scrvlco. rendered. The Final llosiilts. At the close of the contest I I'M Aland I lug of (ho six contestants jvas ;<:?? - follow h: ; Miss T. Cralg Hunter, Ora :;</';??' Roland Mo. ley, liUiirons \(>l iO'? ?Miss Mary Smith, Waterloo 77.1:10 Miss Zelle Hlakoly, Laurcns .':(;,'j<;<> : Miss .Mary pailliviin, LtltireiiH 21,000 ; Miss Pearl .Modloek, Ft, [tin 10,780 And thus it Is i 1 >n that Miss 11 uti le;-. Koland Mo-1< >. Mi. -; Mary Smith, and Miss Zelle i:'.. kely Uro the four winners of lltd four prizes; tho piano. j the buggy, the watch mid tho rooking . chair, Collen (iiic^. Down. Cotton took a slump yesterday, bringing about it1'., during iho groat* cr pari of tin- day. Quotations from ! the Laurons Cotton cxohnngOi Mr. J. i K. Oallngly manager. rIvo the close at i i ::-s for strict mi Idling. Seminal j .' ihlloc I '.'>. On next Sttndi. morning, at 10 ' o'clock, a "seinIn I iblleo" will be All the Sunday nehoois (thd the p oplo generally are cordialIj lav I tod to iL t? nd; a profltabh r.i in la pro I d. I