Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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-=st| fwl tt t71 i t 1VT t M lllPkT TP tm* 17 d first class Er\ 1HL UrMllpM 1 IMLjl ,= VOL. LXVII. NO. 1. UNION, S. C., FRIPAft, JANUAltY 5, 1917 #1.50 A YEAR OSCAR L. LANF KILL Terrible Tragedy Results From Attempt to Catch Robbers? Father Mistook Son For One of the Robbers and Shot Him, Inflicting Wound?One of the Robbers Caught. (Spartanburg Journal) A fearful tragedy occurred at Lanford Station Tuesday morning at 4 o'clock when J. W. Lanford shot and instantly killed his son, Oscar L. Ltanford, whom he thought was a robber. ; Before he fell from the mortal wound i Oscar Lanford returned the fire and inflicted superficial, though probably serious injuries to his father. The two men with J. L. Fleming had formed a posse to capture two rob- 1 bers who were enroute from Ora to , Lanford Station and after they had i nAriooo ln<4 l V.!?1 vv?v^aivu wicinscivcb ueiuiiu me | and W. C. depot the young man dart- ( ed ra^from behind the depot in clear . view^fchis father. Thinking that his | son was one of the robbers he fired several shots, one of which penetrat- i ed the body, producing his death. Af- | ter the first shot the son thought that | he was the taget of the robber's bullets and he fired at the advancing figure, little thinking that he was firing at his own father. The bullet entered the arm of J. W. Lanford, pro ducing a flesh wound. i Reports Scatter Widely. The news of the distressing accident scattered rapidly and officers of Lau- I rens county and the rural officers of , the lower section of Spartanburg county hastened to the scene in an ef- , fort to capture the robbers, who j though not directly responsible for the accident, were nevertheless indirectly the cause of the calamity. One Arrest Made. Advices reaching the city later today advised that a suspect in connection with the case had been arrested at Woodruff, 12 or 14 miles this side of Lanford station and had be.en taken to the county jail at Laurqps, .The . ,?^t,i,a*idL|jiM^,ecured against tHe-ausBect though reports advise | tnat he is probably one of the men who had entered the home of W. T. Blakely at Ora, five miles south of Lanford Station early this morning and who were reported to he traveling f in the direction of Lanford Station. Saw Two Men Coining. It was for the purpose of appre- ; hending the robbers as they entered Lanford Station this morning that J. W. Lanford, Oscar L. Lanford and J. L. r'leming met at the depot of the village and concealed themselves to await the arrival of the robbers. While : in concealment the men saw two men coming down the railway tracks with 1 flashlights in their hands. They could ' not distinguish if they were white or colored. Whbn the two men reached within 20 or .30 feet of the depot Lanford and his posse moved from their positions as if th^V would close in on the robbers. In some unaccountable way J. W. Lanford became confused and mis- , taking his son for one of the robbers, j he opened fire, one of the bullets entering the body of his son, producing ( almost instant death. The son think 1? * L: mm. ins lamer was a robber re- ] turrud the fire but fortunately only a ( flesh wound was received by him. After the shooting had ceased between the father and son Fleming , emerged from his position and after an investigation discovered the mis- ( take. He saw the two men, alleged to be robbers, fleeing in the direction of Spartanburg. i Robbers I)id Not Shoot? So far as could be ascertained from , statements from J. W. I.anford and j Fleming it is not known if the robbers | did any shooting. It is known, how- , ever, that 10 or 12 shots were fired. At the time of the shooting the robbers were somewhere near, probably within 20 feet of the men. Sheriff Watts ,of Laurens county, t and Rural Officer Tom Owens has- ( tened to Lanford Station this morning ( and, securing clues as to the move- < ments of the robbers, moved on in the ( direction of Woodruff. At Woodruff ( r\csi n - ' " ?u.ai v/uiccr v^wens arrested a white y man as a suspect. Officers in Spar- i tanburg were notified of the occur- t rence and were requested to make ef- c forts to examine any suspects who 1 might enter the city today. t Broke in at Ora. ' 1 The robbers had entered the home 1 of W. T. Hlakey at Ora, five miles j south of Ijanford Station and made 1 their get-away, though information j was secured that they were moving in f the direction of Spartanburg. Telephone communication were secured early this morning with Lanford Station and the Lanfords and Flemings decided to form the posse. Oscar L. I I>anford owns one of the largest c stores at Lanford Station, and for 1 this reason he was one of the first to I consent to answer the call in order 1 to protect his place against the in- f ORD ED BY FATHER kll -= 19 vasion of the robbers. The alleged robbers had scarcely je reached the village when they were frustrated. They did not tarry, but , moved on towards Spartanburg. Prominent People. ^ The Lanfords are among the lead- jj( ing people of the county. In addition w? to operating the largest store there Oscar L. Iianford was a farmer with Q[ an extensive acreage. J. W. Lanford ^ is a farmer of considerable means. an They have prominent family connec- ug tons in this city. Oscar Iianford ^ married Mrs. Welborn, who survives, with several children, among whom is ^ Lewis Lanford, a student at Furman ^e] university at Greenville. His sisters tQ( are: Miss Minnie Lanford, Mrs. Lit- f - n?ii-i. ?ai iiejuiiu, wuc u? a Dupusi minister at Edgefield, >{jrs. J. L. Fleming and ??g Mrs. Walsh and Mrs. Joe Cooley. of ^ Manila, whose husband is connected ?g with the government prison. Mrs. ^ Walter Odell, of Atlanta, is a step- ^ daughter of the deceased, being formerly Miss Nell Welborn. Mr3. Annie C. Camp, of this city, is an aunt and John Cooper, also of this city, is .. ( an uncle of Mr. Lanford, who was < killed. Mrs. Camp left this afternoon on the C. & W. C. train for Lanford to ja be with the stricken family in their ^ bereavement. The dead man is a first cousin of ^ W. O. Lanford, of East Spartanburg. ' Portland Ned Once There. The presence of the robbers in the vicinity of I|\nford Station brought to mind an occurrence of 1903 when *ca Portland Ned and a band of yeggnien ^ penetrated that section of the country, doing their most successful safecracking at Enoree mills, six miles wj from Lanford Station, when the sum of about $10,000 and government stamps were stolen. The trial of Portland Ned and his rp| associates was one of the most fa- rQ mous cases ever coming before the ^ criminal courts of Snftrtnnhnrcr f*nnn- _ ty. The bai^d was convicted on j ^ charges of breaking into the Enoree 2g mills safe and received sentences to jie terms in the State penitentiaty. Some of tbem died during their servitude. Portland J^ed apis paroled by Cole L. Btease.'krfd while officers stood iuuthe State house building to serve other warrants on him he made a sensational escape from the governor's office all and for several months enjoyed his on freedom. as Later, however, Portland Ned was ve arrested at Greensboro for one of his Ui old alleged crimes, and is now serving a term in the North Carolina prison, th it is understood. ye STORE BUILDING TO BE SOLD. . ITU The large store house on Main CQ street, occupied by Bradley-Estes Co., will be offered for sale at public auc- vjj Lion before the courthouse door Satur- iyj( lay morning, January 6, at 11 o'clock. ^rj An advertisement of the sale of this splendid piece of property will be found elsewhere in this issue of The Times. DEATH OF MR. S. C. GREGORY. Mr. S. C. Gregory died at his home jjt six miles south of Union Monday, January 1, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, His body was laid to rest in Fairvfew cemetery Tuesday. cu] Mr. Gregory was 55 years old and W? leaves a wife, who was Miss Martha Gregory, and eight living children, as follows: F. C. Gregory, Mrs. B. H. j Mabin, Goshen Hill; Mrs. R. J. Wil- jor son, Ottaray; Miss Mamie Gregory, Miss Lois Gregory and Miss Eva ' Gregory and Roy Gregory of this wj county. Rev. J. M. Trogdoo conducted the tmrial. Mr. Gregory had been sick for five /ears. He was a good man, and was lar Held in high esteem by all who knew Ja fiim. He had been a member of Fair- th< /iew Baptist church for 39 years. COLSON-GAULT. N< Rev. W. L. Gault, for several years he popular and well loved pastor of ^reen Street Methodist church of this he ity, now stationed at Limestone firi Street, Gaffney, S. C., and Miss Addie yei Poison, the beautiful and accomplished Su laughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Col- tal ion, of this city, surprised their most ntimate friends and relatives, when hey were quietly united in the bonds , >f holy matrmony at the home of the . >ride's parents in this city, Thursday Cl? iveninpr at 6 o'clock, December 28, w eavintf immediately for their new no< lome in Gaffney. Rev. L. L. Wagnon re ironounced the words making this lappy younp couple man and wife, tnH tKo f?AA/l t?liak/?o ^' k. 1 1 - * ...? V..U nioiica ui IIUIIureUH OI riends of both will follow them. HARRIS-BENTLEY. tio chi Miss Ella Harris and Mr. John lar ^entley, two popular young people pie >f Kelton, were quietly married by Qu lev. L. Ij. Wagnon at his residence in we Jnion Sunday afternoon, December era 7. All good wishes to these young ' teople. th HUME WEDDING OF MUCH INTEREST Wilkinsville, Jan. 1.?A wedding of jch interest took place near Wilisville the evening of December 21, 16, at the home of Mr. F. A. Gorth, was that of his daughter, Miss rah Lillian Goforth, to Mr. Morgan fferson Wilkerson, solemnized by oom's pastor, Rev. Mr. Murzon. The bride wore a beautiful evening wn of white soft georgette crepe chene, trimmed with pearl lace. ?r boots were of pearly white kid; th dress of girlish length. The lovely idal veil covering the beautiful scene the dress. She carried a most beauul shower bouquet of bride's rosea d lilies of the valley. The bride hered down the stairway, leaning on r brother's arm, Mr. Geo. W. Gorth, of Hickory Grove, S. C., meeting 8 groom and his best man, Mr. Wal Wilkerson, at the alta where she' )k his arm. The first be heard 7 o'clock, was a lovely song beauully sung by Miss Belle Humphries, omewhere I Hear a Voice Callinc." Ilowed by a more appropriate song, unshine of Your Smiles." By this ne the friends had assembled into e beautifully decorated parlor of een and white. The scene was tastelly decorated. Mrs. C. D. Guess took her place at e piano and softly played Mendelshn's wedding march. The first of e party were the little flower girls, tie Gladys Estes and little Miss iura Bell Pridmore carrying beautil baskets of pink carnations. Two the sweetest little girls of the couny. The next was i)aid of honor, iter of the bride, Miss Blanche S. >forth, attired in her beautiful even? gown of silk maline over white tin, carrying a bouquet of pink rnations, tied with a beautiful w of pink maline, which hung acefully or^er the lovely bouquet, le lttle ring bearer came previously th the ring in a beautiful silver liter. After the ceremony congratulations ;re received from the host of friends, len the bride was ushered to her om for her going-away suit of beau'ul color. They took the train for cksonville, Fla., and other places of terest, returning last Friday; Dec, to the home of Mrs. Mary W.ilrson. * Their .many friends wish for ftem long, happy and prosperous life. . Mrs. B. G. Clifford wishes to invite 1 her friends to call at the Seminary Friday afternoon, January 8th, to sist her in celebrating the 43rd annirsay of her life as a teacher in lion county. Mrs. Clifford opened the doors of e Unionville Female academy 43 ars ago and has taught every year ice that date. She is one of the ineers in the field of teaching in the idem advanced movement in this unty. She wishes to impress that the in;ation to call at the Seminary on onday is general?and means all her iends. ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED. Mr. and Mrs. A. H Snon.? nf * J I V? . King street, announce the engagejnt of their daughter, Anna Virnia, to Dr. Virgil R. Hawkins of lion, S. C. The marriage to be eelrated i n February.?The Herald, irtinsburg, W. Va. Miss Sperry is an attractive and Itured young woman and will be a ilcome addition to the social set in is city. I)r. Hawkins is one of the leading ntists of Union and is one of Uni's finest young men. He numbers ; friends by the circle of his acaintances and they are a unit in shing him perpetual joy. BOX SUPPER. There will be a box supper at Oakid school house on Friday night, nuary 5th. The proceeds to go for a benefit of the school. You are invited. ) MORE PUPILS TO BE ADMITTED After Monday January 8, thexe will no additional pupils admitted in the 3t grades of the city schools for the ar, unless they can be classified, pt. Jeffries requests that all patrons ce notice of this regulation. RETURN TO COLLEGE. The college boys and girls of this y returned to the various colleges ich they attend on Tuesday after3n, after spending ten days with atives. iPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION MET SUNDAY The Union County Baptist conven n met with the Buffalo Baptist arch last Sunday. The meeting was gely attended, and the Buffalo peoi were lavish in their hospitality, ite a number of excellent addresses re delivered by the appointed speaki. The next meeting will be held with ( West Side Baptist church here. 9 ACCEPTS POSITION AS TRAVELLING SALESMAN Qm j Mr. R. A_. Jones, proprietor of "The jptusy Bee" dry goods emporium here, has. accepted a position as traveling salesman for a large overall manuIfcilCturing establishment. Mr. Jones ihss sold a half-interest in his store here to his brother, Mr. W. B. Jones, who will, at an early date, assume the management of the concern. Mr. Jones was tendered the position with MS manufacturing establishment fithout solicitation through Mr. R. S. |By, recently representative of the 4fc}?eern in this State and who has tjfctn appointed general sales manner. Mr. Ely. who had known Mr. Jones for a number of years, offered mm the place over many applicants. 1'% is understood the position carries luliandsome salary and that there is a l&rge patronage already established tip the territory Mr. Jones will cover, jprich is all of South Carolina and part of North Carolina. He will hold |be position of treasurer in "The Busy Bee" store here, making Union his IjEpme and returning each week-end. ABoth Mr>R. A. Jones and Mr. W. B. ones are wide-awake business men jtod have many friends in Union and ^proughout the county who unite in pnshing them success in these New l^ear moves. DEATH OF MR. B. G. GREGORY. 3 Mr. B. G. Gregory, wel-known throughout Union county, died at the home of his nephew, Mr. E. W. Page, (Jfhester, Dec. 31, and the body was tkken to Santuc, his former home, for burial the following day. : Mr .Gregory was 63 years of age. tie was never married. For many years he was engaged in farming, afterward in merchandising at Santuc, and later at Carlisle and Chester, ^ome time ago he retired from business, owing to ill health. He was a prominent and popular Mason, and a loyal member of the Presbyterian church. For 'a number of years he was magistrate at Santuc. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Harris, of Chester. "Judge" Gregory, as he was ^nown in this county, was a man of Upright life. He was industrious and fHlflifnl in oil Vila wavIt known, he was held in very high esjfc LEAVES FOR EUROPE. leave New York Saturday for Europe, where he goes as a representative of the International Y. M. C. A. Mr. Morgan has for some time been field secretary in the South. He has had a great deal of experience as a Y. M. C. A. worker in college and preparatory schools of this country. He will, in Europe, work in prison camps. It is not yet certain where he will be located, but he prefers ultimately to work in Russia, where he says there will be a great opening. Last Sunday evening Mr. Morgan delivered a very entertaining address to the members of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor of the First Presbyterian church. At this I service he was presented with a Christian Endeavor pin by the society, the presentation being by Mr. Joseph Humphries, president of the local organization. Mr. Morgan is well prepared for the work to which he goes, and his many Union friends will follow his career with interest. FAMILY REUNION. Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Askew of Mt. Tabor entertained at a family reunion on the 24th and those present were Mrs. R. E. Brennecke and children of Union, Mrs. R. C. Shands and son of Whitmire, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Askew and children of Union, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Cannon and daughter of New Orleans and Miss Hattie Askew of Atlanta. LEAVES FOR WHITMIRE. Rev. D. W. Garvin preached his farewell sermon to the Mon-Aetna congregation Sunday evening and this 1^/4. * 1-J- ^ * * wre* iei l ior ins new neia at wnitr mire. A large concourse of people gathered -v> hear the sermon Sundf evening. Mr. Garvin has been pastor of Mon-Aetna church for four years, and during that period has shown himself an indefatigable-worker, a fearless preacher and an earnest pastor. He has many friends in Union and throughout the county who regret to see him leave. MISSIONARY RALLY. There will be a missionary rally at the Wesleyan Methodist church Sunday evening at 7:30 o'clock. Miss Ina Gaines will dejiver an address. The public is invited. DAWKINS LAND SALE. There will be a sale of choice lots Tuesday, January 9, at which time the Dawkins property will be offered for sale at public auction. The sale will take place on the property. Mrs. B. G. Peterson and children left Thursday morning for Greer, where they will make their future home. NEW EDISONIA OPEN FORTY-THREE YEARS TEACHER. Forty-three years ago, on January 2nd, 1874, Dr. and Mrs. B. G. Clifford were married at Davidson College, N. C., and came to Union the next day to make this their home and teaching their life work. Just how well they have succeeded is proven in the fact that Clifford Seminary has run continuously for this length of time and the loving tributes from hundreds of eirls who hnvn Hoon 1 u _ . ~ u??ii tuutaicu MIIU cared for at the Seminary attest of splendid success. Dr. Clifford has passed to his reward, but his labors are bringing fruits to God's glory and to humanity's uplift. Mrs. Clifford is yet doing noble service in the cause of education and the moral and spiritual development of our people. She has hundreds of friends here and over the States and hundreds of her "girls" who will be interested in reading of her anniversary. Truly a remarkable woman that has a place in Union's history, both unique and powerful. May she be spared for years and years and years and have health, happiness and prosperity abundant. LAWSON-GIST. Bogansville, Dec. 29.?On Wednesday evening, Dec. 27, at 7:30 o'clock, there was solemnized in the old historic Bogansville church a wedding of unusual charm and simplicity when Myrtle Dawson, the attractive daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Dawson, became the bride of Ben Gist, a son of the late D. C. Gist. The church was attractively decorated in ivy and ferns and the altar before which the bridal party stood was lighted by numberless candles. Just preceding the ceremony a musical program was rendered, Miss Mae Miller nresiHinc of ? ** m .>P, mv vuc ui^an* 1*1 rs. Fanny Lancaster sang "The Sweetest Story Ever Told" and Mr. Charlie Bopan sang "I Love You Truly." The notes of Mendelssohn's wedding march heralded the entrance of the bridal party.- The bride entered with the dame of honor, Mrs. Fanny Lancaster. The groom with his best man, Mr. ; Fair Lancaster. The ceremony was performed in a very impressive man> ner by the Rev. L. L. Wagnon. The bride, a lovely brunette, was attired in a gown of cream chiffon cloth with trimmings of brocade lace. The dame of honor wore an attractive gown of blue crepe de chine. Immediately after the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride. The rooms were tastily decorat, ed in holly and mistletoe. An elab, orate sunpper was served. BACK FROM CUBA. Mrs. Ora B. Fant, Misses Mary Jones, Kathleen James, Vera Murrah, Annie Tinsley, Etha Palmer, Mary Flynn and Prof. E. A. Fuller returned this week from a ten days' trip to Cuba. They report a most delightful trip in every way. EQUAL SUFFRAGE LEAGUE. The Union County Equal Suffrage League will hold its regular monthly meeting on Friday afternoon, January 12th at A o'clock at the Chamber of Commerce rooms. A full attendance is urged and each member is requested to bring one other. Mrs. T. C. Duncan, President. liWFKUVEMENTS IN STOREROOM. The storeroom in which the Southern Express offices are located here has been greatly improved on the interior by Mr. J. Anderson Brown, the owner of the building. Mr. Brown has leased the building to the Express company for five years, and has, in view of the lease, fixed up the interior in good fashion. There is a storeroom for locking up packages, a wire fence which cuts off an office, and a heavy counter which makes the interior look like a bank. The walls have been calcumined and the interior woodwork has been painted. DEATH OF A YOUNG MAN. John West, a lad 14 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. West, of Monarch Mills, died Thursday, Dec. 28. and was buried the following day in Kosemont cemetery, Rev. J. H. Brown conducting the burial service. BY ARS-GILLAN. Married at th eMethodist parsonage, Buffalo, S. C., Dec. 30, 1916, Mr. S. E. Gillan and Miss Eugenia Byars, Rev. B. H. Harvey officiating. STORE CHANGES HANDS. Mr. E. A. Eason has sold his grocery business to Mr. C. G. Humphries, who will conduct the business at the same stand. Mr. Eason has for several years conducted a successful grocery business. Mr. Humphries has also for a number of years been in the same line of business. / TO T WEDNESDAY Union's New Playhouse is a Cred/f to Much Larger City? The Lower Floor Will Seat 500 and the Balcony 150? U/III * J h/mjfc ww 111 ntcummoaare Almost Any Attraction. On next Wednesday, January 10th, takes place one of the biggest events of the new year, and one that has keen eagerly looked forward to by the citizens of Union and the surrounding country. On that date the doors of the new Edisonia theatre will be thrown open to the public for the first time. Work is being rushed, day and night, and for those who have been privileged a peep during the past few days this new theatre is a revelation. The large crew of carpenters, electricians and painters, all hard at work, are making things hum; while the attraction has been centered about the work of the crew of scenery painters brought here by the management to paint the handsome scenery that will beautify the big stage that is a part of the theatre. Those who have visited the new EdiRonia have as one, been astonish?d at its size and beauty. The lower floor will have a seating capacity of 500 and the balcony will accommodate 150. Entering past the box office, as before, one steps into a handsome big foyer. From here are the entrances to the big auditrium and the stairway leading to the balcony. The big auditorium is the subject of astonishment to all. Twice the width of the old auditorium, the ceil i :_A?-? " ?uw inieriur uecorauons easily place it in a class with theatres in much larger cities. # At the opposite end of the building is the stage large enough to accommodate almost any attraction. A special motion picture setting, painted here by the crew of scenic artists, presents a beautiful effect, as though y.vm the picture were being projected in fog some quiet wooded scene and presents a distinctly new idea along this line. . Much more might be said of this beautiful playhouse, but first and last, it may be said that it is a disinct credit to the city, an institution that fills a long-felt want. While much credit is due ?o the citizens whose enterprise has made it a reality. Mr. and Mrs. Storm insist that this credit shall go to the thousands of friends and patrons of the Edisonia whoso support and good will have made it possible. The opening program will consist of a Metro feature play entitled ' Pigeon Island," presenting the popular screen favorites, Harold I.ockwood and May Allison and other good pictures. On Thursday will he presented Price and Bonnelli's New York Minstrels, presentng a company of 30 clever blackface artists. The advance sale of reserve seats opens Friday at vwv uuiovma a (jieaeut location. DINNER PARTY. One of the pleasantest of the many affairs given during the holidays was the dinner party given Thursday evening hy Mr. and Mrs. I. Dan Smith. Covers were arranged for a group of Union friends and the decorations were unusually bright and attractive. A basket filled to overflowing with poinsettas formed the centrepiece and Christmas greens and red bells were used in profusion. Those enjoying this holiday hospitality were Mr. and Mrs. J .F. MclAire, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Arthur, Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Estes and Mr. Powell of Columbia. DEATH OF MRS. J. W. CAMERON. Mrs. J. W. Cameron died at her home at Neal Shoals Saturday, January 6, and was buried the following day at Beulah church, seven miles east of Union, the burial being conducted by Rev. Lewis M. Rice. Mrs. Cameron had been ill for three months, but it was not thought that death was so imminent. She was 56 years of age and is survived by her husband and the following children: Mrs. C. A. Westerland of Rock Hill, Mrs E. M. Neely of Smith's Turnout, Walter Cameron of Newberry, Will Cameron of Lancaster and Mrs. Ij. H. Foster of Neal Shoals. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron had lived at Neal Shoals for the past 15 years, Mr. Cameron being section master on the Union and Glenn Springs railway. Mrs. Cameron was a good woman, and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. Her death was a great shock to her friends and loved ones. PAINTER-MILLER. Miss Bessie Painter and Mr. Emzy Miller of this city were married in the presence of a few friends, Saturday evening, December 23. The ceremony was performed by Rev. L. L. Wagnon at his residence in Union.