The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, July 07, 1904, Image 1
flje iownta Itofk
^OL. XX. KINGrSTREE, S. C., THURSDAY, JULY 7. 1904: NO'27
A BLOOC
To the Trial of K
Murder of Thu
Train Held up by Masked F
the Woods and Put
the Ly
When court adjourned last
Thursday, after a consultation
with Judge Aldrichand Solicitor
Wilson, Sheriff Graham decided
I to send the negro, Karo Williams,
to Florence on train "32,"
which makes no stop between
Kiagstree and Florence. Among
the erroneous reports that have
gone out about the sensational
happenings that followed was
uffoi-t thaf Wi 11 ia mc
VJlig IV/ vug guggi, vtiuw i?
was being- sent to the penitentiary
at Columbia for safe keeping.
This is untrue. Williams,
along with two other negro prisoners,
was being returned to
the Florence jail, where they
had been kept ever since the old
jail here was torn down to make
room for the new building now
under construction. The three
prisoners were in charge of deputies
H 0 Britton, J P Wheeler
and J J Matthews.
As the fasL train approached
Scranton, a number of men with
blackened faces, some wearing
rude masks and otherwise disguised,
flagged it down and
searched the train for the negro, j
Finally they found Williams and
ordered the sheriff's deputies to
enve him ud, enforcing the de
mand with guns and pistols galore.
The deputies refused to
give up the the negro and a
scuffle ensued in which they
were overpowered and their
prisoner taken away from them.
It is said that the crowd that
went through the train and
wrested the negro from his
fuards numbered from twelve to
fteen, all disguised in some
way and heavily armed. The
whole body of lynchers Is vari-'
ously estimated from 100 to 250
men, all cool, quiet and determined-men.
When Williams was
swept from the car and faced*
this assemblage the full import
of it all seemed to rush over
him and he gave vent to shriek
after shriek for mercy, but they
fell on unheeding ears. At first
the intention seemed to be to
hang the wretch to an oak in
Mr W R Singletary's yard, within
a few feet of where the train
stopped, but this idea was abandoned
and, putting Williams into
a buggy, the crowd bore him
down the rojf^ leading to Bass's
bridge on Lynch's river. This
was about 7:30 o'clock. Except
for the knots of people discussing
the recent events the town
soon settled down to its normal
quiet. About 10 o'clock parties
living in the vicinity of
Bay, about one and a half miles
east of Scranton, heard twenty
or twenty-five shots fired in
rapid succession. What took
place during the hours that the
victim remained in the woods
with his self-constituted judges
no human beiny^probably. except
these judges. Knows.
Looking at the affair in the
light of the past we do not see
how it would have been possible
to save Williams from the lynchers
once he was put aboard the
train with the guard of but three
men to protect him. And yet
none of the authorities dreamed
that the fast train would or
could be held up, which accounts
for the slender "escort" of the
prisoners, as well as for the fact
that the sheriff was not along
with them in person.
THE BODY FOUND.
Friday morning Sheriff Graham
went to Scranton to investigate
the affair. About 1 o'clock
qp the afternoon it was reported
rnat Williams' body had been
found. He immediately wired
Magistrate Baldwin to hold an
inquest. Jeff Hyman and Willie
Evans, two young white men
who had heard of the killing,
went into the woods to see what
they could find. After wandering
about quite awhile they discovered
a trail marked by bent
and broken bushes. Following
this they found the body in the
>Y SEQUEL
aro Williams for the
rston O. McGee,
ylen and Williams Hurried to
to Death?Details of
rnching.
edge of the bay above referred
' to. There in the bushes, with
his hands still manacled and
strapped to his waist, covered
with a thin layer of pine straw
and a few bits of wood, lay the
dead body of Karo Williams, and
Thurston McGee was avenged.
Around the neck were a few
^ wntr rATUk Th P PVPC
y a.1 Via U1 lltn lujjrv< wj WW
were closed and the mouth shut
tight.. In the front were some
five or six bullet holes and on
the left side of the back what
appeared to be a charge of buckshot
had entered. The neck was
not broken, nor were there any
.cuts* bruises or marks of mutilation.
His appearance wouM suggest
that h^ had been tied to a
tree, or perhaps suspended by
the rope around his neck, at a
distance from where the body
was found and there shot to
death, and then dragged into
the bay. The imprint of a spade
by the side of a pine seems to
indicate that the executioners
intended to bury the body, but
for some reason abandoned the
idea. By a strange fatuity the
body was left on the land of
Sheriff Graham, who had worked
sa hajd^to save the negro from
being lynched.
Magistrate Baldwin organized
a jury with J J M Graham of 1
" - -- ? A -U .
^aaes as lurcmau. auci iuc
body was examined by Dr W S
Lynch and identified by Sheriff
Graham the inquest was adjourned
to Wednesday, July 6.
STORY OF THE CRIME.
Od February 24, Thurston 0
McGee, a young horse-dealer
of Lake City, was killed at his
stable by Karo Williams in a
dispute over a horse trade. The
negro narrowly escaped being
lynched at the time, but by the'
prompt action of Intendent As
kins and others he was secreted 1
in an old barn and kept safe until
the sheriff arrived on the
scene, who took him in custody
and, by his stategy and good
judgment, succeeded in bringing
the prisoner to.the;Kingstree jail
Then on the night of February
25 danger of lynching was apprehended
and the negro was ,
slipped out of the back way of
the jail just as the mob reached
the front door. Then, by advice
of Governor Heyward, Williams
was taken to the penitentiary in
Columbia to await trial.
Williams was put on trial at
the April term of court and
Messrs LeRoy Lee and R J Kirk
appointed by the court to defend
him, as he had no counsel. 1
The attorneys moved for a continuance
and Judge Purdy readily
granted it on the ground, he
stated, of the evident desire
among certain parties to con
vict the prisoner whether or no,
and the effect the excited state
of feeling manifested might have
in determining a verdict. ,
Again last week the case was
brought to trial and a mistrial
resulted. Not that the jury differred
as to Williams being guilty
of murder,as seems to be the
impression of certain newspapers,
but merely as to the form
of punishment. Seven jurors,
it is said, were in favor of hanging
and five wanted to recommend
mercy, which means a
sentence of life imprisonment.
All twelve believed Williams
guilty of murder.
We have not up to this time
learned the verdict of the adjourned
inquest.
.NOTICE
Parents ^ho have girls to j
send to the Graded school can'
secure bWrd for them with Mrs
Amelia !$cott, who is now occupying
the cottage on Academy
street next to Mr M F Heller's,
convenient to new school building.
Terms reasonable. Apply
or write to
Mrs Amelia Scott,
8-SO-tf Kingstree, S. CL
Doing's at Dock.
Dock, July 4:?Our farmers
are celebrating the Fourth killing
out Gen Green's army. Cotton
is doing very nicely.
Jackson's chapel Sundayschool
is preparing a programme
for Children's Day, which event
will take place the fifth Sunday
in July.
To the delight of . her many
friends, Miss RosaTallevast has
returned home from the Welsh
Neck High School atHartsville.
Mr L E Nesmith, formerly of
this place, but now of Cades, is
I spending some tiine at his old
I home here.
Mrs Annie Steele left last
week for Aiken county, where
she has gone to spend the summer
with relatives.
Mr J W Waldron, one of
Rome's iovial vountr men, was
in our midst Sunday afternoon.
"Joe" says that he came over
to look at the crops. Guess he
meant the crop of girls, for
when we last saw him, lie was
standing among a bevy of charming
young ladies.
A moonlight picnic in the
grove at Mrs L J Nesmith's
Tuesday night, was the scene of
much pleasure to the large crowd
of young folks who were present
from this and adjoining neighborhoods.
Games and social
chats were kept up until a late
hour, when refeshments were
served and the crowd dispersed
for "Home Sweet Home."
Whippoorwjll.
SAFEGUARD THE CHI LDREN.
Notwithstanding all that is done
by b'>nr<!s of health and charitably
inclinedjpersons, th** death rate
among small children Is vpry high
during the hot weather of the summer
months in the large cities.
There is not probably one case of
bowel complaint in a hundred,
however, that could not be cured
by the timely use of Chamberlain's
Colic. Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy.
For sale by Dr D C Scott,
Kingstree; Lake City Drug Co.,
LakeCitv: Dr W 8 Lynch, Scran
ton.
Lost or Strayed,
On July 4, one black ox with
blaze face and white tail. A ieasonable
reward will be paid on delivery
of same to Dr D C Scott,
Kingstree, S C.
Lenod Locals(Received
too late for last issue).
Lenud, June 28:?Miss Irene
Gordon has returned home from a
visit to friends at Foreston and
other points.
Mrs W C Ogbarn's funeral at
Suttons last Sunday was attended by
quite a number of people from this
neighborhood.
Miss Irene Gordon is suffering
from mumps. Mrs B L Gordon is
also on the sick list.
Miss Sarah Bailey of Sampit is
spendiug some time with the family
of her uncle, Mr B C Gordon. Her
brother accompauied her but returned
home on account of ill health.
1 enclose two cotton blossoms from
Mr W C Ogburn's farm.
This community is still suffering
from dry weather. Farmers are
busy "laying by" corn. They will
have finished in about two weeks, I
am informed.
We have plenty of fruit, except
melons, in spite of the drouth.
There will be preaching at Gour
dins chapel on Sunday July 10, after
a month's intermission.
Starlight.
Type Writer for Sale.
A Remington typewriter has been
placed in our hands for sale, which
we can offer at a bargain. Tnis
machine is second hand, but is in
good condition and of standard make.
This is a rare opportunity for anyone
wanting an excellent machine at
a very low price.
The County Record,
tf Kingstree, S. C.
WANTED?Copies of the following
books, for which a liberal
price will be paid: Gregg's
History of the Old Cheraws;
James'Life of Francis Marion;
Wallace's History of the Williamsburg
church; Weem's Life
of Marion.. C. W. Wolfe,
Kingstree,. S. C.
GREELYVIU5 HAPPENINGS.
A Drama!,* Entertainment?How the
Fourth was Spent?Personal Notes.
i
Greelyville, July 5.?The
play, "Ten. Nights in a Barroom,"
presented here last Friday
night by the GreelyVille;
theatrical troupe, was a pro-j
nounced success, and the house
was well filled. Besides the local
patronage the play attracted
manyfrotn nearby Jk>ints in this
county and in Clarendon. , The
Froceeds amounted to $10, which,
think, did very well fdr our little
town.
The "glorious Fourth" was
observed here by all the stores
being closed. A good many of
our people attended a picnic on
Black river, "while others went
to Foreston to witness a "double-header"
ball game between
Greelyville and Foreston. On
account of the late start, the
morning" game was called at the
end of the fifth inning and the
score stood 5 to 4 in favor of
Foreston. The afternoon game
was also won by Foreston by a
score of 11 to 3.
Mr and Mrs B M Hudson visited
relatives here Saturday and
Sunday, returning yesterday to
their home in < amden, S C.
Mr and Mrs Charley. Burgess,
who left last year to make their
home in the "Land of Flowers,"
have taken advantage of the
cheap rates to visit old friends
in our town.
Mr and Mrs B A Boyle, who
have been visiting friends in
Sumter for the past two weeks,
returned to Greelyville, Saturday.
Mr R H Johnson's new residence
is nearly completed. Mr
Johnson is quite sick, but it is
hoped that he will soon be on
the road to recovery.
The Baptist congregation
have occupied their new house
of worship for the past two Sundays,
and by next Sunday they
hope to have the pews nnisnea.
They have purchased a fine
church bell, which weighs about i
700 pounds and was put in place
in the steeple last Saturday by
Contractor McRoy; so that hereafter
its silvery-toned invitation
to services may be heard echoing
o'er hill and dale on the holy
Sabbath morn. 1
We were glad to have "The
Record" on full time last week
and hope-it will continue to be
as punctual in its future visits.
vldi.
NIGHT WAS HER TERROR.
M would cough all night long,"
writes Mrs Chan Applegate, of I
Alexandria, Ir.d., "and could hardly
got any sleep. I had consumption
so bad tlmt.ijgfewaiked a block ,
I would cough frightfully and spit
bood, but, when all other medicines
failed, three $1.00 bottles of l)r
King's New Discovery wholly
cured me and I gained $8 pounds."
It's absolutely guaranteed to cure
Coughs, Colds, LaGrippe, Bronchitis
and all Throat and Lung
troubles. Price 60c and $1.00. Trial
free at Dr W V Brockinton's drug
store.
Mortuary.
Died?On Wednesday, July 6,
1904. near Epps Postoffice, 8.. 0.,
after au illness of about one week,
Mr Paul C McKnight.
i
Statement of The Bank
of JUiigstreeAt
the close of business JiiDe 30,1904.
RESOURCES.
Real Estate ai.d Bank Building
- - - $2,194 81
Furniture and Fixtures 924 70
Loans and Discounts, 78,490 95
Bonds and mortgages - 6,000 00
Cash on hand and in Banks 33,920 53
Total - - 121,530 99
LIABILITIES.
Capital Stock ... $15,000 00
Surplus ... 5,000 00
Undivided profit* - - 3,742 57
Cashier* checks out standing 1,33?
Deposits ... 96,451 42
Total - - $121,530 90
State of South Carolina.1
Williamsburg County.)
I. E C Epps, cashier of the Bank of
Kingstree. do solemnly swear, that to
the best of my knowledge and belief the
above statement is true and correct.
K C EPPS,
Casbkr.
Sworn to before me this 1st day y|
July. 1904. LeROY LKE,
Notary Public. ,
Correct Attest: -Jc s. I
DC Scott, <
J A Keliey,
RIIKellehan,
AH EARLY BIORHING BLAZE.
Stables in Rear of Coleman Hotel
Burned.
*
Tuesday at 3:30 a. m. the alarm
of fire rang out in the early
morning hours and a crowd
dre?#ed in all manner of
ftiglige soon hurried to the stages
in the rear of the Coleman Hotel,
where the flames were seen burst*
ing forth. At first it seemed that
the hotel building was doomed to
destruction, bnt the "bucket brigade"
wtnt manfully to work and the adjacent
biddings were saved; although
the stahfea were bnrhed to tne
grouud.
The cause of the fire is a mystery.
Those who first discovered it state
that it started in a little wood bouse
betwteo the rear of the hotel and
the ^tables, and that in a few minutes
the flames were communicated
to the Stables. If it weie an act of
incendiarism, as many people suppose,
it wonld go hard with the aathor
should he be discovered, as a
fire-bug is execrated only a little less
than a murderer.
Thestables were the property of
Mr R Ii Kellehan and contained several
thousand pounds of fodder
which was destroyed with the building.
Mr Kellehan estimates his loss
at $1200, covered by $500 insurance.
In the building were stored about
50 bushels of corn and oats belonging
to the county, also some parts ef the
road machinery used for repairs.
The former was of course consumed,
but Supervisor Graham thinks that
the machine parts may still be
utilized for the pumo-e intended.
CURED OF CHRONIC . DIARRHOEA
AFTER TEN YEARS
OF SUFFERING.
/
UI wish to say a few words in
praise of Chamberlain's Colic. Cholera
and Diarrhoea Remedy," says
Mrs Mattie Burge, of Martinsville,
Va. 4T suffered from chronic diarrhoea
for ten years and during that
time tried various medicines witnout
obtaining any permanent relief.
T not anmmup Ann nf mv philrlrpn
unov nuuuiivi wi?v "i imj
wan taken with cholera morbus,
and I procured a bottle of this remedy.
Only two doses were required
to give her entire relief. I then decided
to try the medicine myself,
and did not use all of one bottle before
I was well and I have never
since been troubled with that complaint.
One cannot say too much
in favor of that wonderful medicine."
This remedy is for sale by
Dr D 0 Scott, Kingstrce; Lake City
Drug Co., Lake City; Dr VV 8Lynch
Sciaoton.
A Card from Mr Garris.
Editor County Record:
As X was about to leave Kingstree
on the day of the campaign
meeting I learned that there was
some feeling against me because
of the condition of the depot at
that point. I wish through your
columns to say to your people
that the practice heretofore and
now is to take up such matters
upon petition. The practice is
known throughout the State,
and is forced upon the Commission
by the great number of applications
by petition for new
depots. We are forced to have
regard for priority, and it is imSossible
to have all of the work
one that is asked for at once.
Kingstree has never asked by
petition or otherwise for improved
depot facilities until I
was presented a petition by Mr
P G Gourdin on the day of the
campaign meeting. I am sure
that when the fair-minded people
of Kingstree know the facts
that they will judge me fairly
and not hold me responfible for
the present condition of that
point.
This petition requests a depot
in a new place. I have advised
the people through the leading
petitioner that we have no law
empowering the Board to require
a change of location. We must
give thirty days notice to the
railroads before we can pass upon
buildings of this kind in accordance
with the unbroken
practice of the board. Now
since we have official application
I assu re the people interested
that I will do all that I can
to get them a depot where it j
will be convenient as early as 1
possible. I am sure they are
too fair-minded to ask that I
abandon the campaign for this
matter at this juncticn.
C. W. Gareis.
Chairman Railroad Commission.-;
Old papers for sale hero.
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