Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THREE KILLED AND OTHERS WOUNDED BY NEGRO DESPERADO IN HAMPTON Following an Attempted Assault on Hampton County White Lady, Negro Man Kills Three Pursuers. ?? The Negro's Victims, ii Dead: J. Frank llowcrs, ?> Hampton county farmer; P. H. ?> ? ? Fidenfiold, Allendale magls- J | <? tr?te. ' ? Wounded: Dr. S. C. Moore. '>', 't* George Hannn, McTecr Bowers, ?? unidentified white man. '* Hampton, April 30.?Pursued into a swamp by a hurriedly organized poBse of determined men, Richard Henry Austin, a negro, charged with attempted criminal assault upon the ?wife of a prominent citizens of Luray, turned upon the hunters and 11 red shot after shot from his buckshot loaded gun. two of the loads Unding fatal lodgment in the bodies of F. H. Edenflold, magistrate of Allendale, and J. Frank Mowers, a farmer of the Luray section. Four other men?Dr. S. C. Moore of Hampton county, Mc Tecr Bowors, George Hanna and an unidentified white man?were wound ed. Late this evening the negro broke through the lino and make his es cape. He is still being pursued. Mr. Bowers was killed and the other three were wounded about 4 o'clock this afternoon, when they attempted to capture tho negro, who had been chased into a patch of woods, a low marshy tract of about five acres, four miles from Hampton. Thither they had pursued tho negro after he had attempted to assault the wife of a farmer at Luray. After the first fata! attempt, he pursuers decided o wait for rein forcements. Late this evening more men, led by Magistrate Kdcnfield, ar rived, The magistrate headed a charge on the negro's hiding place, but a shot rang out and the leader fell dead. Then the hunters settled down to 'wait. In the gathering darkness, how ever, the negro broke through the line, while the guns of the pursuers barked in vain. About 4 o'clock today news reach ed Allendale that a negro, Henry Aus tin, had attempted an assault upon tho wife of a farmer near Luray, In Hampbon county, loiter th,c negro was frightened away tho intended victim telephoned to a neighbor, Qua Folk, who at once went to her assist ance. On meeting the negro on the road, Mr. Folk attempted lo arrest him. The negro, heavily armed, threatened Mr. Folk's life, saying he had come from Georgia for the pur Pobo of killing several white men. Mr. Folk gave tho alarm among his neighbors and a posse was quick ly formed by men of that section. Thoy trailed the negro and had him located in a small swamp. They announced that they needed help and bloodhounds. Before Judge Bdonficld got off with his posse, the news came that J. Frank Bowers had been killed and three others wound ed in their attempt to approach the negro In his hiding place. On arriving on tho scene, Judge Kdcnfield formed a skirmish lino of seven volunteers, with himself as tho loader. They wore proceeding cau tiously through the dense growth of the swamp when suddenly a shiot from the desperado's gun rang out and tho brave lOdcnfle.ld lay dead. An unidentified white man, who was with the magistrate, Is said to have been seriously wounded. How he Joined In the pursuit has not boon learned, nor has tho extent of his wounds been discovered. Other mem bers of the posso shot In tho direc tion of tho negro, hut on account of tho thick swamp none of the shots took effect. Tho body of Judge Rdenfleld being In rnngo of tho negro's gun, It was suicidal for the men to attempt to rc . movo it. The body of Frank Bowers also was left In the swamp. Dr. Mooro was hurried ?o a hospital in Columbia. Sheriff J. B. Morris of Bamwell passed through Allendale tonight In an automobile with his blood hounds, bound for tho scene. Two or threo hundred men bad tho swamp surrounded and ther seemed little chance cf the negro es caping alive, hut at 12 o'clock news w;is received that the negro had be in routed from Iiis hiding place and the hounds and men were in pursuit. About i) o'clock tonight, it was learned, the negro, seeing his chance to make off in the darkness, dashed through the lines of men surrounding the swamp and fled, With the men and hounds in full pursuit. When it was seen that the negro was coming out every one of.the guns of the pur suers were llrcd at him as lie tied, but his return lire indicated that none of them had taken effect. Judge Kdcnlleld's body is being conveyed to his home in this city. The people of Allendale are appalled at the tragedy of Judge Mden field's death and d#ccpcst sympathy is ex pressed for his young wife and two children. Dr. S. ('. Moore Dies. Columbia, May 5.?Dr. S. C. Moore, a prominent physician of Luray, who was siiol by the negro desperado, Richard Henry Austin, on William Bryan's place, in 15am well county, Wednesday afternoon, while the mur derer was surrounded in a swamp, died this morning at G o'clock in a local infirmary from his injuries. Dr. Moore was shot in the arm and shoulder and a buckshot penetrated one of the lungs. Dr. Moore was brought to Colum bia Wednesday night by Mr. Mole, Mrs. Moore and others, and since that time has made a brave fight for life, but the desperate nature of bis wounds precluded his ultimate recovery. With the death of Dr. Moore, Aus tiu Is a triple murderer, he having killed J. Frank Bowers and Fred H. Bdenfleld. Desperado Still at Lurge. Savannah, Qa., May 4.?After anoth er day of fruitless man hunting a part ?f the posse which has been searching the Savannah River swamps for Rich ard Henry Austin, the South Carolina desperado reached Savannah this af ternoon on their way back to Hani well. The bloodhounds from the pen at Columbia were sent back and put off the train at Mcinbardt this morn ing. With these dogs the posses un dertook to pick up tho trail but they made absolutely no headway. Most of the day they scoured around, overlook ing no nook or cranny where a man might be concealed. In the afternoon, completely exhausted and somewhat discouraged the men, carrying their riles over their shoulders, enme into Savannah to take the train to their South Carolina homes. >'o Primary Here. Several dally newspapers of the stnte have recently carried stories to the effect that Congressman Johnson had ordered a primary at Laurens for the purpose of selecting a postmaster. These papers musa have gotten the Situation here and at Clinton con fused. While Congressman Johnon did order a primary at Clinton to be held last Saturday and later with drew the order, no election has been ordered for the Laurens olllco and It is hardly likely that one will be or dered, for some time at least. How ever, the would-be postmasters are riulte numerous and they let no op portunity pass to lay their cause be fore the Congressman. Winthrop Scholarship. The examination for the Winthrop college scholarship will take place in tho court house here on July 4th at 9 o'clock in tho morning. These scholarships are open to all who are 16 years of age or older and are worth $100 and year's tuition. The fine rec ord of Winthrop is ample proof that these free scholarships afford an ex cellent opportunity to some Laurens county girl, and no doubt many will compete. Cnrlnntl of Aulos. Messrs. MoLaurln and Tongue have received another carload of Stmlor baker automobiles. This car is be coming very popular in this county and the above firm Is selling them as fast as they come in. GREENWOOD ACTORS TO BE SEEN HERE Will Present "Tlie Elopement ?>f El len*' at the Opern House next Fri day Night;? -V well Played Comedy. The delightful little three-net com edy, "The Elopement of Ellen" will ho played Friday evening at S.30 in the Opera House hero by a company from Greenwood. This will be prac tically a local talent performance as most of those takjng part are known here pi Laurens. The play was given in Greenwood last Friday ami won the very highest compliments from folks over there. It is a particularly interesting comedy, lull of wit and humor mixed with just the proper amount of seriousness. Those tak ing pari were highly complimented on their histronio talent and have been repeatedly urged to present the play again in their home town. Tin? play Is being given for the benefit of tho organ fund in the Baptist church of Greenwood. The play In itself Is more than worth the price of admission and that combined with the worthy cause ought to assure them an excellent audience here. Tho admission will be 25, 36 and 50 cents. Reserved scats Will be on sale at the Palmetto Drug Company. The ca.-:t of characters follows: Richard Ford, a devoted young husband Irvin Colcman Molly, his wife Blanche Simmons Robert Shcpard, Molly's Brother Ivos Townsend Max Ten Eyek, a chum of Roberts Ben Badger Dorothy March, engaged to Max. a guest of Mrs. Ford's Lottie Jennings June Havcrhlll, Wellesloy '13, who is doing some special investiga tion for economics during the summer Elizabeth Calhoun John Hume, Rector of St. Ages Phil I lamer COUNTY SINGING CONVENTION. Enjoyable Day at Highland Home Church During Meeting of Singing Convention. The Laurons County Singing con vention met at Highland Homo church last Saturday and Sunday, both days being noted for the large crowds pres ent and the enthusiastic interest shown in the singing. Prof. W. C. Wllkic lend in the singing and hun dreds pf people joined to make the days successful, ft is estimated that between a thousand and twelve hun dred people were present to enjoy tho ?eonidon. It is tile intention of the associa tion to have a fall session. As the upper part of the county has already enjoyed the privilege of having the convention, in all probability the next session will be held \n the lower part of the county. Tin; association is op en to invitations from any Sunday school or church, the organization be ing inter-denominational. LAURENS YS lTlt.MA.N. Fitting School Here for Game Todn} ?An?tlier Game Thursday. The Furm.in Fitting School team from Greenville will mix sticks here today with the local high school bunch. The game will be called promptly at 1 o'clock on the now high school ball grounds. The locals havo strengthened their gnnn all round since the last game and expect to walk away with tho prize today. Another game will be played Thurs day on the same grounds at the same time between the Greenwood school team and the Laurens school team. QUARTERLY CONFERENCE HERE. Tfi he Held Here May '-?T-'J?. Bishop J?hn C. Kilgo lo Preside. The district quarterly conference of the Methodist church is to be held in the First Methodist church of this city the 27th, 28th and 2ftth of this month. About one hundred and forty delegates are expected to attend from tho various counties in the district Bishop John C. Kilgo will preside ov er tho meetings .:f the coniferenoe Ilex. J. D. Pills Here. Rev. J. 1). Pitts, who has just en tered upon Iiis pastorate at Fountain Inn, was in the city shaking hands with his old friends Saturday. Though it has now been some years since Mr. Pitts preached,hero his friends or.sily recognized him and cordially greeted him in his old home again. MOTORCYCLE COLLIDES WITH HORSE AND BUGGY <?. C. Smitii of Newberry, Painfully Injured and Horse hud to be Killed. (!. ('. Smith, of Newberry, was pain fully Injured and n horse'belonging to Mr. N. J. Anderson was mortally Injured Saturday night between here and Clinton when the motorcycle be ing ridden by Mr. Smith collided with the horse and buggy being driven by Mr. Anderson. Running at a high rate of speed and without a light on a rather dark night, Mr. Smith ran into tiie horse and buggy before ho was able to slacken speed. Having with him a roll of moving picture dims intended to bo shown at tho lo cal opera house that night, he was making fast time in order to got hero to show the pictures, the train hav ing boon delayed by a wreck. 'rin> ac cident occurred near the home of Mr. I*. I!. Bailey, Whon tho machine crash ed into the team driven by Mr. An derson, both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were thrown out of the buggy and tlie shaft of the buggy almost pierced (lie shoulder of the speeding rider. The impact from the machine broke the right fore-leg of the horse and it Was necessary to klP him to relieve the pain. The shaft made a very ugly wound in the shoulder of Mr. Smith, the re bound of the buggy causing it to free itself from his shoulder, Mr. Smith falling beside the road. A few min utes later several young men came by in an automobile and picked him up and carried him to Clinton, where medical attention was given. The last reports from his bedside yesterday were to the effect that he was getting along as well as could he expected. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, though con siderably the worse for their experi ence, were not injured in any way. K. M. HENDERSON DEAD. Young Man. Formerly a CHizcn of >Vu terioo, Dies in Florence. Mr. Bmest M. Henderson, who was born and raised in Waterloo and who was well known in Laurens where ho participated in athletics for several years, died at his home in Florence last Thursday after a short illness. Mr. Henderson was about thirty years of age. He had been in the real estate and insurance business In Florence since his graduation from college about eight years ago. The body was brought to Waterloo Friday, where It was interred In tho family plot. Mr. Henderson was a man of many estim able qualities, being very popular .among nil those who knew him. Mr. Henderson was tin* son of the late Dr. L. M. Henderson and Mrs. Henderson. Ills mother and the fol lowing sisters and brothers survive him: Mrs. L. 10. Llpscomb, White Stone, Mrs. Joe Loach, Mrs. Justus, Mondersonvlllc, N. C, Mrs. J. R. An derson, Waterloo, Messrs. W. M? L. D., and J. E, Henderson, of Waterloo, The burial services were conducted by Rev. J. O. Martin, of Cross Hill. TRAYXHAMS YS CHAIR.WARMERS. Played Las! Monday and Will Repeal the Performance Next Monday. In one of the fastest, noisiest, snap piest, most errorful games of the twentieth century, Traynham Guards did not defeat, the "Chair-Warmers" here last Monday by a score of C to G. The last named team is a local band so labelled from their principal occu pation. Both teams were In great form, having had thorough practice In the spring of Kto:'., and the seven-act tragedy staged Monday was the most fearful battle in the annals of this school district. These same guys have planned to play off the tie next Mon day, the 12th, and both teams are ab solutely sure of winning provided they make enough scores. The heavy hit ters have hid so many balls 1 nthe woods that they have decided to cargo "? and 10 cents admission In order to buy new ones. By buying, your tickets yesterday you can get three for a quarter,. Meeting of i>. A. b. Tin r?gular meeting of the Henry Laurens chapter, d. A. it., will be held Friday afternoon at I o'clock, at the home of Mrs. John M. Cannon, Only <?ne Sale. Ralesday for May was rather a QUloi affair, there being only one sale made. Tills wafl :i 2IJ?acro tract of land be longing io Jane McCoy sold to R, F.. J'.abb for $1501.00. clinton post office goes io McMillan After Ordering Primary mid ?then Withdrawing tho Order, Congress, mau Johnson Recommends IV. m. McMillan. Clinton. May ?'.. The postofllco sit uation lias been settled by tho an nouncement that Congressman John son lias recommended the appointment Of Mr. \V. M. McMillan, who is mayor of tho town. This selection precipi tates a turmoil in local politics and the candidates are already stirring themselves for the mayor's ofilco. There were several strong appli cants tor tho postmnstorshlp, a job that pays $2100. Mr. .1 sillies Simpson, a Confederate veteran TS years old, and lor a long time an Invalid died, at Iiis homo here las: night and was burled this after noon at Holly Grove church in the county, the Itev. S. O. Cantey conduct ing the service. lie leaves a widow, who was Mrs. Kinnia Tribblo Hums, and a stop-daughter, Mrs. 11. M. Dut ton. He lost a limb in the war and went aiming his Intimates by the name of Cog leg. .Memorial Day Program. Tho program for Memorial Hay be gins at half after nine o'clock Satur day morning when the procosslon of school children, daughters ami sons and veterans will start from their ap pointed meeting places for the monu ment square where the Confederate monument will be decorated. Tho line of march will then proceed di rectly to Carolina Memorial chapel Whore the exercises will be opened with -a prayer by Dr. Jacobs. The Items on the program include a paper by Dr. \V. A. Shnnds, a prize essay on "The War Record of Stephen D. Lee," a Bonnie Rluo Klag drill by twelve small girls, a song by Miss Lenora Pureell, a song by the Thorn well college chorus, and several piec es by the college orchestra. Following the exercises dinner will he served to tho veterans In the grove. Social and Personal. Miss Ola Young entertained the Cecillan music club on Monday after noon. Mrs. II. L Scalfo entertained a din ner party of twelve ladies, friends of Mrs. S. L. McCaslan last Thursday. Master R. /. Wright Is at home from Porter Military academy for a few days Miss Emmie McCrary left today for Sumtor to visit Miss Holly Flrown. Mrs. J. I. Copoland and Marlon left today to visit relatives in Anderson. .Mrs. Henry Young is visiting in En orco. Mrs. J. Whitman Smith is expected home this week from a visit to her mother in BishopvMle. Several people hero expect to at tend the pageant at Winthrop noxf Tuesday. Mrs. Walker of Maeon is visiting relatives here. The Hev. T P. llurgess and family of Yorkvllle spent Thursday and Fri day in Clinton With the Misses llur gess. WATTS LOSES SECOND. \c\l Gnrno Mere Solurd?) with Lydia Mills of Clinton. Watts Mills played Nowberry here last Saturday and (osl by B score of (! to I'., this being the second gamo of the ('. X. K- L. League schedule. This name, like tho first, was an ex cellent specimen of base ball, taking ton rounds to dOOldo the winner. Up to the tenth enning the score was " to 3. In the first half of tho tenth the locals caught the aeroplane limited and NoWborry put three across the pan. Watts failed to score in hor half and tho bets were handed over. On the same day Clinton Mills de feated Lydia by a score of 3 to 0. Next (lame Here. The third game on the schedule will bo played at Watts Mills ball park next Saturday when Lydia Mills will lock horns with the locals. The game will be called at four o'clock. So far the games show that tho teams are evenly matched and everything points to a Close contest next Satur day. Teachers Examination. Twenty four ladies and six- young men took the proscribed t< achor'8 ex amination In tho olflco of Supt. Pitts Friday, Mr. Pitts was assisted in the examination by Mr. P.. Y, Culbortson, a membor Of thO COUr.r.y board of edu cation. The reports on the examina tions will not be made for some time SULLIVAN HEIRS LOSE TO RAILROAD Verdict Directed by Judge Prince for Defendants. THOS. TUCKER CASE NON-SUITED THURSDAY Judge Hiiytio V, lllce, of Alken*, Pre siding I'liis WvvU. T\w Kntlrc >Vook lilkelj lo bo Taken up as Several Cases jiro Yet on 1 lie Roster to bo Tried. Tho court of couimon pious in now upon its second wcok or work. Judgo I lay in? F. Rico, of Alkeil, is presiding for Hie first time In this county and is making a favorable Impression. The case of widest general Inter est and having a direct appeal to the Citizens of I.aureus generally booaUSO of its effect upon the development pf that part of the city affected by tho suit was that of the heirs of C. P, Sullivan against the Columbia, New berry ?v- Laurens railroad. After hear ing II large number of witnesses on both sides in this case. Judge Prince, who presided hist week, Instructed tho jury to render a verdict for the rail road. The attorneys for the plaint ills, K. P, Mc?owan and Irby & Sullivan gave notice of an appeal to the su preme court and yesterday Mr. Irby stated that tho case would be carried up. While the real quostlon at stake in the suit was the ownership of about two and a half acres of the original lot Of twenty acres, tho suit was brought, by the Sullivan heirs for damage for trespassing, this being a test case. In the absence of any deed showing how and when the land was transfer red to the railroad, the Sullivan heirs, contended that the land must havo been orlginnly secured by the railroad from ('. P. Sullivan to ho used tem porarily for railroad purposes alone, the right to condemn properly for this purpose being granted in the charter. The plaintiffs alleged that the portion of property now contested for is not being used for railroad purposes anil has not bet a used for a long period of lltuo and that therefore the rail road has no longer any right lo claim it, having, through abandonment, re linquished Its right to it. The defend ants introduced evidence to show that the railroad had been in undisputed possession of the land in ipio.srt.lon since tho railroad was built and that it had never ceased the occupancy there of. Judge Prince ruled 'hat the undis puted and uninterrupted possession of the railroad sineo its construction was conclusive evidence of its ownership. a non-suit, was grunted tin defend ants Thursday in the case of Nannie I,. Tucker, as guardian an litom of Thomas Tucker vs The Clinton Cotton mills. This is one of two cases ot $:i0,000 each instituted by the plaintiff for damages growing out of the di own ing of lor two little boys Roy and Thomas Tucker in the defendant's mill pond. This case had been tried twice already, the first time resulting in a verdict of $S00. for the plaintiffs and the second time in a mistrial. The. other case is now with the Supreme Court, the plaintiff having been given a verdict of $1,000. Counsel foi the plaintiffs have given notice of an ?;? peal to tin- Supremo Court in this case Friday morning the jury in the ( 1 of Louisa DuckOtt vs the S A. L. t ill road rendered a verdict of $85 dam ages for tin- plaintiff. This case something like the Sullivan case. <1 so resulted from a dispute ovei th< ownership of a strip of land lying between the plaintiffs home and 'be rallroud track. The suit was for damages for the destruction of (low ers shrubbery and fences when the railroad attempted to take possession of the property. Monday morning the court took up the case of Alfred W. West vs the C, N. & L. railroad for damages from In juries alleged to have been Inflicted by the defendant railroad when the plaintiff was knocked off the railroad track near the Lanrens Mill village several months ago. Wo?! was walk ing along side the railroad track when the train came up behind and knocked him down, he Icing deaf and unable to hear the approach of ?he tra?v, Judge RiCO directed a verdict for tho defendant on the ground that Ihf ~7Contlhucd on Editorial Page).