The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, May 12, 1921, Image 1
*? > T; .,:J
t *
v /V:S|
v / ' '
*
yTljc Ctmntjj llecorti.
' VOL. 36. ~ KINGSTREE, SOU'ffi CAROLINA, THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1921. NO. 10
? '
J. H. MILLER FOI
NEAR CA
On Road to Kingstr
Car Occupied b
Tragedy F
Admit:
Vr The people of Kingstree and vicmi- t
ty were profoundly shocked early Sun- 1
day morning as the news spread over 1
town to the effect that J. H. Miller <
had been found dead on the roadside s
one mile south of Cades. The news
was conveyed here to Sheriff Gamble
by Rural Policeman Brockinton about
4:30 a. m. Mr. Gamble at once called f
his deputy, J. P. Frierson, and togeth- 1
er the three officers repaired to the t
scene ?f the tragedy. 1
Mrs. Miller, was notified of her hus- t
band's death by Sheriff Gamble be- f
fore leaving town. Dr. E. T. Kelley t
and Undertaker Courtney wore also i
called and hurried off to the scene. c
Mr. Miller was engaged as super- j
Iintendent of the Electric Light plant i
at Lake City. He made his home in <
Kingstree where his wife and little t
adopted daughter have lived for the i
past six years. On Saturday nights j
it was Mr. Miller's custom to drive f
from Lake City to Kingstree in his t
rFocd car, spending Saturday nigni i
and Sunday here and returning to ^
Lake City on Monday mornings. He j
was on his way from Lake City (
here when he was killed, and left ly- z
ing on the roadside Saturday night,
half to three quarters of a mile south }
^ of the town of Cades. 1
No facts in the case were apparent- N
ly known to Mr. Brockinton, who ^
brought word of the dead body in the j
road and Sheriff Gamble was unable f
- to give any information as to how Mr. (
Miller had come to his death or at ?
what time in the niffht. L
Phone lines were busy all over town
and by 7:00 o'clock a number of citi-1
zens, in autombiles, had left town for
the scene where the body was found. I \
When Sheriff Gamble and his depu- j c
ties reached the scene they found jf
Coroner H. J. Brown and a few other j 1
persons present. The coro:?er had j r
been informed by Mr. Brockinton. 1
Mr. Miller's Ford car was standing r
near the middle of the road about ten j
* A ? ? K/\rl\r U,' l' fh ?.
ICCt <iW<4\ 1IUIU 111L UCMU wvwj ft??M x
radius rod bent and out of condition I
to run. The front of the car was spat- t
tered with blood. The dead body of (
Mr. Miller was lying: on the roadside \
with a bullet hole in his head. About 1
twenty feet from the body there was
standing in the road a Ford roadster, j
headed towards the Cross Roads and ?
also out of running condition. Mr. t
Brockinton said he thought the Ford z
roadster belonged to a Mr. Cox, mail t
carrier at Cades. There was evidences j
of a collision by the two cars and the ^
natural /resumption on the sheriff's ^
part that the owner of the roadster \
could give some light on the tragedy j
that had been enacted in the dark, ]
lonely spot on the roadside sometime j
during the previous night. Sheriff \
j,. Gamble went to Mr. Cox's house, ,
awakened him and placed him under (
arrest Mr. Cox informed the sheriff }
that he had loaned the car to Tom j
Poston the evening before and that j
Poston had used it. They then went \
to Poston's home, accompanied by j
Cox. The party was met by Tom Poston,
who, upon being qudptioned concerning
the dead man, told the sheriff
that he had shot him, that he was
then about to eat his breakfast and
start for Kingstree to report the matter.
When asked why he had killed
Mr. Miller he told the sheriff that he
had nothing to say. Poston was then
placed under arrest and taken to the
scene of the tragedy where he remained
under the eye of the sheriff until
v the ftoroner and his jury had completed
an inquest. Poston's attitude and
general demeanor was of absolute in
1
difference and no one on uie gruunu (
seemed as little concerned as he. j
During the morning he laughed and (
chatted with acquaintances as he ]
lounged on the rear seat of an auto- ,
mobile with his feet resting on the ]
back of the front seat. (
Coroner Brown summoned as ju- ,
rors: E. C. Epps, foreman, W. I. <
Hodges, Robt. Carsten, J. K. WilV
liams, R. L. McElveen, E. F. Martin. (
The evidence was taken down by
Mr. V. G. Arnette of Cades. After
the jury had viewed the body it was
taken in charge by Undertaker Court-1
ney and brought to Kingstree where I
it was prepared for burial at his es- j
DND DEAD ON I
DES EARLY SUI
%
ee from Lake City
?y Tom Poston and
ollows Collision s
$ Shooting, is in !
o kl lckmont onrl iohir tfllron fn thf?
lome of Mrs. Roger, where Mr. Miler,
his wife and their adopted daugh?r
have made their home during their
dx years residence in Kingstree.
Body Taken to Hartsville.
At 4:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon
,'uneral sendees were conducted at the
lome by the Rev. E. A. McDowell of
he Baptist church with which Mr.
Sliller affiliated. The funeral was atended
by a large gathering of friends
rrom this place who held the deceask!
in high esteem, also a darge num>er
of Lake City people, including a
lelegation from the Lake City Masonc
lodge which took charge of the body
mmediately after the funeral and ac:ompanied
it to Hartsville where inw?
n rlrt M AnrlotT
'Cimenu woa mauc luv/nuwj tuwiuwu.
rhe casket was covered with floral of'erings,
last tributes of respect to a
ellow citizen who had come to an unimely
death.
Jas. Henry Miller was born in New
fork, December 25, 1880. For many
rears he made his home in Savannah,
3a. He was an expert electrician
rnd a man that made friends where(ver
he went. For a number of years
le has made his home ,in South Caroina,
having lived in Columbia, Harts ille,
Lake City and this place. Some
ears ago in Hartsville he married
diss Ethel Laney. Of his immediate
amily there survives one brother,
3eorge A. Miller of Savannah, Ga.
ind his little daughter, who is the
idopted child of the deceased.
Developments at Inquest
Mr. Miller's death, once under in estigation
by the sheriff and the cortner's
jury, facts soon begun to undid,
although it is the general beief
that the absolute truth in some
espects as to what transpired on that
onely spot near the cross roads will
lever be revealed. There were three
>eople present, one of them, Jas. Heny
Miller, was shot to death; Tom
'oston, another admits that he killed
lim; the third, a young woman, Miss
ilady Coker, who was ni the car
vith Poston has thrown very little
ight upon the tragedy.
But it was soon revealed that Poston
ind A. R. Brockintou had the Coker
jirls out for a ride. Poston had gone
6 the Coker heme, got Gladys Coker
md her sister, Bernice, and took them
;o a community church where, by prev
ous arrangement they were met by
U R. Brockinton, rural policeman,
vho took one of the girls, Bernice,
n his car. They all left the church.
Poston and Gladys Coker were in the
Ford runabout that is alleged to have
-un into the Ford touring car driven
>y Mr. Miller. Brockinton and Berliee
Coker were following Poston and
Gladys Coker over the same road, perxaps
an hour behind. When Brockinon
arrived at the spot where Mr. Miler
had met his death, he found the
wo cars in the road. He could not
?ass without difficulty and ran into
;he ditch. Upon making a survey of
;he situation. He found lying dead
it the side of the Ford touring car
i man, a stranger, a pistol by his side.
Be and the young woman walked to
Poston's house and called J. C. Calder
vho went back with him to where the
>ody was lying. He recognized G. E.
Dox's car and knew that Poston was
iriving it, and believed Poston was
irank. He did not eall Poston when
le went to his house. Later Mr,
Brockinton went to notify Coroner
Brown.
Coroner Brown did not know the
lead man when he first viewed the
body and at once set about Identification.
On the dead man's clothing
be found the initials: "J. H. M." which
was indefinite, but there was a Tiandbag
in Mr. Miller's car, the coronei
opened it and found a batch of mail
addressed to "J. H. Miller, Kingstree
S. C." This address bore out by the
initials on the clothing and was conclusive.
Rural Policeman A. R. Brockinton
then came to Kingstree to report
to the Sheriff.
Testimony of Gladys Coker
"We left home about 7:30 p. m. anc
went to church, me Tom and my sis
10ADSIDE
WAY MORNING.
when Run Into by
I Gladys Coker.
md Poston
Prison.
. ter. Preaching was not over when
we left the church; we started to Mr.
Poston's. We struck and Tom got out
to apoligize just as soon as he could
straighten car. Miller said he was
going to kill Tom. Miller was cursing,
Tom was on ground, standing about
midway in road between cars. Miller
had pistol in his hand and was stand- (
' I ing to right of his car. Saw Tom
when he shot Miller, fired three shots, 1
Miller did not fall until third shot.
1 After Tom shot him we left. Tom
woke his sister and told them what ;
happened. Don't know whose fault it ,
was. Tom's sister waked her hus- (
band, J. C. Calder. Calder went to :
Cades with. Alvin (Brockinton). Did ]
not notice tnat xom was unnsmg.
We left church first; did not see Al- j
vin and Bernice leave. Tom carried :
both of us to church. Tom did not
seem scared when he came back to ,
car. Said he had shot him. Tom ,
wanted to come back and get car; ^
did not hear Miller say anything af- (
ter he was hot. After Tom could not ^
get car off we went on to Mr. Poston's.
After Tom shot him he went aijd look- <
ed at Mr. Miller; saw pistol by light <
of Mr. Miller's car. Miller isaid he ^
wouldn't apologize, had pistol in his ,
hand, and was going to kill Tom. j
Lights were burning on Tom's car
when shooting took place. Tom came ^
back to his car and shut off motor. Tom
and I left church about 11:30,
I got to Mr. Poston's about 12.00 j
I o'clock. Tom first said he would not ,
i tell his people what he had done, but (
II told him to tell about it. He told (
1 v:_ <nrVio+ Vio Vind done, his .
1 IUS nuu? iiw _ f
father was asleep and one of the girls j j
went into his room and told him." /f
j Bemice poker sain: "When w<* came j
up this morning saw man in road, j ]
Mr. Brockinton could not pass and j <
moved car. backed his car and went j
in ditch. I went to Mr. H. L. Poston's i
house, saw Gladys when I went in, she t
told us about what had happened. Mr. <
Brockinton told Calder about man in j
road. Calder told him Tom did the
[shooting. They then went to Cades, j
j Sister said Tom and Mr. Miller both \
got out of car at one time and came
meeting in road and Miller told Tom i
to go back to his own car. My sister j
saw Tom shoot man. he was standing (
at car when Tom shot. Family was (
all in room when I went in except ^
Tom, he was in his room. ^
"We left home about 7:00 or 8:00
o'clock to go to preaching at Sandy j
Bay Baptist church. After church we ^
came this way. Tom was ahead. Tom
brought both me and sister to church
and Mr. Brockinton brought me from ^
there. Tom talked to Mr. Brockinton ?
at church. We stayed at church about (
one hour, did not stop between church j
and this place."
J. C. Calder testified: "Mr. Brofckin- ,
ton came to my room about 1:00 ,
o'clock. Came down here and found j j
tin*? nn i??ft side with pistol ly-1,
mail ij*u^ v.. -?_
( ing near his hand. Body was about (
i twelve feet from car, Rural police <
, said he had moved car. Went to Cades (
, for coroner, came back and stayed j
about half hour. Miss Bernice Coker
j went with Mr. Brockinton to Mr. Pos- ]
. ton's where I live. Mr. Brockinton j
, did not call Tom. He hailed when he ,
came to house. It was 12 o'clock when <
, Tom came in, Miss Gladys Coker was ,
, witfc him. Tom told mc to come down .
and help get car to house, did not say ,
what was wrong with car. Did not j
. call Mr. Poston when Mr. Brockinton ,
came. Said he had run against one (
, of the cars and got his car in ditch. ,
, Did not ask ladies about wreck. Talk- ,
ed with Poston only about wreck. Did ]
^
. not call Tom because 3ir. orocKinum ,
| did not require it; said Tom was (
asleep and would not call him. Did j
. not talk to Tom about dead body, did ,
I not tell him about it after going back ,
to house. Did not tell my wife, sup,
pose Miss Gladys Coker told her."
Alvin R. Brockinton, rural police- >
man (relieved from office by Sheriff
Gamble at the scene of the tragedvl
Sunday morning) testified that "be-',
tween 12:00 and 1:00 o'clock he found (
body of J. H. Mil'"- lying by his car. ]
I Went first to H. ight's and then to ]
H. L. Poston's house. Knew Poston j
I
BIG FREIGHT RATES
DISCOURAGE TRADE
SENATOR SMITH CITES FIGURES
IN LETTER READ ON THE
SENATE FLOOR.
That the hitch freight rates are retarding
business development, in the
country is evidenced by the number
of kicks being registered by men and
organizations in a position to know,
Senator Smith, of South Carolina, declared
on the floor of the senate recently
that he had received a number
of communications as to the
present "disastrous freight rates." In
a plea for a thorough investigation of
the railroad problem he quoted from
letters to show the sentiment of the
producers and shippers in this state.
The great increase in transportation
charges is hurting the trucking interests
along the South Carolina coast.
This is clearly shown in a letter from
M. H. Lazarus Company, of Charleston,
to Senator Smith. This concern
filed a protest in behalf of the farmers
in South Carolina who depend on
the eastern markets to handle their
products. Under the heading, "Smith
Blames Freight Rates," the "Traffic
World," of Chicago, has the following
to say regarding the senator's remarks:
Senator Smith, of South Carolina,
member of the senate interstate commerce
committee, said in a speech in
the Senhte, April 21, that he had received
many communications "as to
:he present disastrous freight rates."
"I have a letter here from Sumter,
5. C., under date of April 19," said he,
'in which a large lumber dealer states I
diat he shipped a carioad of pulpAood
from Lynchburg, S. C.r my old
iome, to Sumter, S. C., a distance of
L9 miles, five cords to the car, and
:he freight charge for the distance of
19 miles was $140.
"I also have ?. letter from another *
ndividual shipping pulpwood into
Sumter from anccher angle, a distance
x-T 1Q wiiloo or>/l tlin nVi ovcro nn fVtp
:arload of pulpwood was $9o. The
:harge was $140 for 19 miles and $90
"or the 13 miles.
"In addition to this I have a letter
"rom the M. H. Lazarus Company, of
King and Hasell streets. Charleston,
3. C., in the Southeastern tariff divison,
in reference to the shipment of
;ruck, from the great trucking indusry
along the coast to the Eastern
nties, and he writes me the followng:
For the past year and particularly
Tor the first four months of this year,
:he losses and hardships which have
vas driving car owned by G. E. Cox.
Body was lying on left side. Did not
examine pistol at time but did so lat;r
and found it loaded all round. Tom
Poston's was not. Called Mr. Calder
ivhen he went to H. L. Poston's house
and he came back with me to where
oody was lying. Was of the opinion
Aiat Tom Poston was drunk.
H. Wright, the colored man living
learest the scene of the tragedy tes:ified
"That heard three of four shots,
ibout 11:00 o'clock but paid no attention.
It happened before he went to
led, and paid no attention to shooting.
Mr. Brockinton called me, told me a
nan was dead on the road and asked
ne did I know him. When to Cades
then came back and stayed with body
jntil daylight. Saw pistol when first
mjne and also after coming back from
Cades. Mr. Brockinton called me secjnd
time. Heard no noise after shooting."
Drs. W. L. Whitehead and E. T.
Kelley who made pest mortem examination
of Mr. Miller's body submitted
the following^ We found Mr. J. H.
Miller lying on left side with small
pool of blood beneath left side of head
wd ckeeck. External appearance
shewed two openings, one round puncture
in, and one other tearf located
in temporal region above and in f ront
ar ear in scalp. Round or entrance
wojnH located two inches from exit
wound. Range of missle was from J
left front downward about 45 degree j
angle. On removing scalp found at^
oval depressed fracture located as outlined
above. Angle of oval fracture
was at about 45 degree angle ranging
from left front and downward at angle
of 45 degrees. Size of wound
about size of a 38 calibre bullet and
was a mortal wound.
Findings of the Jury
"Whereas by inquisition by me held
on May 8th, 1921, at Cades, S. C., it
was found that J. H. Miller came to
bis death by gun shot wound inflicted
by a pistol in the hands of Tom Poston.
been incurred by the farmres of
section in marketing their product
the eastern markets have become
acute that the agricultural commi
of the Charleston Chamber" of C
merce feels constrained to appr<
our representatives in congress i
a view of securing their coopera
in bringing about a reduction in
freight rates on vegetables from
Charleston district to eastern citie
A comparision of the rates in e!
in 1914 with the rates at presen
effect from the Charleston disl
shows the following:
"I shall not quote it all, but ju
-few of the figures to indicate v
disastrous effects these rates are 1
ing not only upon the producers
upon consumers of these articles.
"This shows the rates from Chai
ton to New York and Philadelphia
follows: Cabbage in standard bar
or barrel crates?in 1914 the rate
carload lot was 46 cents; in 192
was 76% cents. In less than carl
lots the rate iij. 1914 was 48 cents
in 1921 it was 80 cents.
"On potatoes in standard barrel:
in sacks the carload lot rate in 1
was 29% cents; in 1921 it was 4
AA?\f n TM IrtPp iltnM Anwl Anrl 1 A+P
wuwai xxi icas uion uiuvau ivvc
1914 it was 31 cents and in 1921, ?
cents.
"For vegetables not otherwise s]
ified, per bushel box, basket, or cr
the carload lot rate in 1914 was
cents, and in 1921 it was 50 ce
In less than carload lots, in 1914
was 32 cents, and in 1921 it was ?
ecnts.
"Vegetables per standard barrel
barrel crate, the carload lot rat
1914 was 57 cents, and in 1921, 9
cents. The less than carload lot i
in 1914 was 61 cents, and in 192
was $1.02.
"Mr. President, there was a mi
ing this morning of farmers, rej
senting every district in the Un:
States, calling the attention of
Chief executive to the freight coi
tions which exist in this country,
(he very wisely told them that
whole economic system at the pres
time was out of joint, and he pr<
ised to do all that was in his powei
see that something might be< done
relieve the situation.
"The reason I am calling attenl
to this just at this time, is beca
I consider the first thing essentia]
bring about a restoration of anyth
like prosperity is for us to addi
ourselves to this question of transj
tation. It is needless for me to si
that with the prices of farm prodi
far below the cost of production, v
wages being reduced throughout
country, except in certain places, v
everything seeking a lower le
these rates have been maintained
high as, or higher than, they w
during the period of the war. T
sa y that the railroads are going r
idly into the hands of receivers
into bankruptcy, and one of the pr
causes is that the rates are so h
as to be prohibitory and people c
not do business. It is analogous
the situation brought about by
tax on oleomargarine, which 'is
high that the article cannot find
maifcet and, of course, the produc
suffer.
"I understand there is to be a tl
ough investigation of the railr
conditions by the interstate c<
merce committee, and I wanted S
ators to be informed specifically
information such as I have gi
them this afternoon, showing that
was charged for hauling a carloac
pulpwood 13 miles, and for 19 m
$140, and a 100 per cent, raise in
rate of vegetables from the semi-ti
ical and temperate zone or section
our country to the near-by east
cities.
"So that one of the prime reas
- - - _ it. . .
for the high cost oi living is me i
ference between the low ?ost of I
duction and the high cost of tr?
portation which is pouring into
railroads. It is true they are cai
ing less, and perhaps the return
less. Bat, as far as the shippei
concerned, it means bankruptcy
him or prohibition of his entire bi
ness."
o Call
For Bids.
Notice is hereby given that
County Commissioners will rec<
bids at their office in Kingstree, S.
on Saturday the 21st day of May 1!
at 12:00 noon for the building o
porch on two sides of the county J
The board reserves the right to
ject any and all bids.
S. J. SINGLETARY,
May 12. 2t Chaim
o
Nature insists that we adapt c
selves to conditions or change the c
ditions?take your choice.
*
- * . . r
rev. e. a. Mcdowell
r adresses veterans
om)ach
vith MEMORIAL DAY IS OBSERVED
tion HERE. EXERCISES AT THE
the COURT HOUSE TUESDAY.
the
>s. It has been the custom for a nurfiTect
ber of years for the Kingstree Chapt
in ter United Daughters of the Confed:rict
eracy to give a five dollar gold piece
to the High school pupil who writes
st a the best essay on the subject chosen
;hat by the Chapter. This year the Chaplav
ter chose as the subject: "Jefferson
but Davis." This essay was read at the
memorial exercises in the Court
les- House Tuesday morning, by Rev. Dav,,
as is, and the prize was awarded to the*
rels writer, Miss Dollie McFadden for the
per best essay. Miss Annie Laura Sin1
it gleton coming second. The judges ftfr
load the essays were Mrs. L. Gilland,
and Miss Rubie Thorn. Rev. John Davis
After the exercises at the Court
s or house the veterans marched over to
914 the Kellahan hotel where the Kings
19 j *ree Chapter of the U. D. C. served
i in them with a delightful dinner.
12%
Address to the Veterans.
pec- Mr. Chairman, Ladies- and Gentlemen,
ate, Pupils of the Graded School and
30 Confederate Veterans:
nts. There was never a more just cause
it than that for which the Confederate
,3% soldier fought, and never an army
more worthy of honor than the one
, or that, 60 years ago, followed Lee and
> jn Jackson.
15% 'As the righteousness of the South-ate
ern cause has sometimes been called
1 it into question, I feel it in my haert
to make my first word to you, one
eet- in its vindication.
>re- It should be quite enough for you, jjfigfcig
ited and all the world to know, that you **Hlf
the fought for principles, not o?Iy as deai;
udi- as those for which your fathers in the,
and Revolution fought, but that you foughtthe
for those identical principles for which
;ent they fought!
Dm- It is a well-known fact that the
r to colonies of 1775 and 76 were perfect!
to ly willing to sustain to the mother
j country, the relationship of provinces,
tion i provided they should be conceeded the
;use! right and privilege of internal and
[ to domestic government. I declare to
ling you that this, and this alone, was the
ress issue between the colonies and Great
jor-! Britian. And when this right was
iate refused, our fathers said: "We shall v
icts fight for it." The eight long years of
* i- - * J Li i.L.J
irith I Struggle, 01 sacnnce uuu uiuuuaucu uu
the i the part of our Revolutionary fathers,
rith was for this dear priciple. When the
vel, long struggle was over, in which they
SLi were the conquorers, and a compact
ere was entered into by t^e colonies, that
hey | were then merged into Soverign states
ap- for mutual protection against a comahd
mon enemy and the regulation of injnie
ternational commercial relations, there
iigh was nothing more jealously guarded
:an-; than the soverign rights of each state
to to govern its internal and domestic
the icvil affairs. Even while Washington
so was still leading the military forces
a of the colonies in that glorius strug:ers
gle for liberty, and Patrick Henry
was in his prime as a statesman, Thos.
ior- Nelson, in a Virginia convention, ofoad
fered a resolution providing "that the
cm- power of forming government, and the
;en- regulation of the internal concerns
of of each colony,, be left to the respecven
tive colonial legislatures," In words
$90 of burning eloquence this resolution
I of was seconded by Patrick Henry, and
iles was unamiously adopted,
the The 9th article of the constitution
op- of the United States today, provides
i of that "Each state shall respectively reern
tain every power, jurisdiction and
right which has not been delegaons
ted in the Constitution."
dif- As to the justness of your cause,
)ro- honored veterans, it is enough for you
ins- to know, that the pivot upon which
the the great struggle of the sixties turn-ry
ed, was this sacred right and privi!
is lege, baptized in the blood of your
is fathers.
for You have been called rebels. I deasi
nounce the accusation as utterly false
and slanderous. What in the name of
justice and mason, did you rebel
against? Certainly not the Constiif
- fnfiAn'
uie
iive When you quit your homes, and laid
C.t your lives on the aitar of your coun)21,
tr>*. it was in defense of the Constif
? tution. * j
ail. You have been charged with firing
rc- upon the United States Flag as it waved
over Fort Sumter. If you did, it
was after you had exhausted every
ian. means to regain by peaceful possession
the fort, which, after recession,
>ur- was ^our own' "fistful property.
lQn_ You fired upon Fort Sumter resistContinued
on page Four.
* ......