Constable Bateman Seriously Wounded - Raid on Moonshine Still Results in Wounding of Officer and Moonshiner State Constable J.F. Bateman of this city was shot and seriously wounded this afternoon when in company with Chief of Police A.G. Whitaker they made a raid on an illicit distillery located in the Beaver Dam section of the county about seven miles east of Camden. The officers ran upon Sant Barrett and Jim Sheorn in a wood. Barrett is said to have opened fire at the approach of the officers and Constable Bateman fell with a bullet in his left breast about four inches below the heart. The officers returned fire and Barrett fell with a broken thigh. Sheorn fell also, but after bringing Mr. Bateman to Camden and returning to the scene Sheorn had made his escape but it is thought that he was also wounded. Barrett and his young son, about seventeen years of age, were arrested. An examination of the officer was hurriedly made and Dr. Guerry, form Columbia will reach Camden tonight and assist the local physicians in an effort to save his life. He is thought to be very seriously wounded. Mr. Bateman is about 48 years of age and was for a number of years chief constable stationed at Charleston. Barrett is said to be about sixty years of age and Sheorn about forty five. The still in that locality is said to have been in operation for a long while. The officers succeeded in capturing the still, and about two gallons of whiskey. They were using a ten gallon gasoline can with copper worm. A prominent man of Camden is said to have made a rapid getaway from the scene at the approach of the officers, leaving his coat and several letters in his pocket.
A passenger who came in on the Three C's train last night, said that the sheriff of Kershaw County was aboard yesterday afternoon with a negro murderer named John Betton, carrying him from Kershaw to the Camden jail. The negro had hit another named Albert Green, in the chest with the stave of a turpentine barrel at the Abney turpentine still, six miles from Kershaw, on Friday night in a difficulty, and the fellow had died yesterday morning from the effects of the blow. The fellow delivered himself to the sheriff.
James Adams of Kershaw Dies of Shock Resulting From Loss of Arm Kershaw, Oct 21 - On Saturday afternoon at Longville, only a few miles from this place, James Adams, who was running his gin for the 20th year, received a severe injury from which he died Sunday. Mr. Adams, in reaching his hand near the gin to remedy some fault, let his had get into the machinery and his arm was quickly torn into shreds. Dr. Brasington of this place was called in and found it necessary to above the elbow. Mr. Adams seemed to recover to some degree for a time, but the shock and the loss of blood was too much for him, death resulting at 11 o'clock. Mr. Adams was a brother of Robert Adams of this place. His is survived by a wife and eight children.
Two Died Last Thursday In Shoot-out - Constable Bateman Died Friday at Columbia Hospital-Sant Barrett Died Saturday Evening-Russell Placed Under Bond. Constable J. Fletcher Bateman who was mortally wounded in the battle between moonshiners and officers last Thursday afternoon died at a Columbia hospital Friday afternoon. He was at first carried to the Camden hospital and Governor Cooper had Dr. LeGrand Guerry to come to Camden Thursday night to assist in an operation. Dr. Guerry thought best to take the wounded man to Columbia and was carried over on the Seaboard Friday morning but died on the operating table. Dr. S.C. Zemp, the attending physician, testifying at the inquest Saturday stated that he found he had been shot shot three and three quarter inches below the left nipple and gave it as his opinion that his stomach had been punctured. He had hemorrhages from the stomach and bled inwardly. The dead officer had long been in the service of the state and the county. For a number of years he served as deputy sheriff for former sheriff R.B. Williams. Later he was constable under former Governor Heyward, and was chief constable under former Governor Ansel, with headquarters in Charleston. Prior to his appointment as constable by Governor Cooper he had served as constable for Magistrate S.N. Nicholson of this township. During his career in the public service he has had many narrow escapes, and was always fearless in the discharge of his duty. Mr. Bateman's financial affair were such we learn that he did not have to do this kind of work, but he served because he liked the work and was never satisfied unless he was chasing a criminal. He was a shrewd officer and succeeded in getting information as to the doings of the lawless element where other officers would fail on the job. And in doing this he made many enemies of this dare of men,which probably accounts for the fact that the men whom he attempted to capture that day were armed to the teeth and ready to kill him. Sant Barrett, the desperado who it is believed to have fired the shot that caused the death of Mr. Bateman, lingered until 8 o'clock Saturday afternoon when he died at Camden hospital as a result of numerous pistol bullets in his body and legs. He is said to have been hit four times-one bullet penetrating his intestines, another going through his bladder, his left thigh was badly shattered by a bullet, another bullet struck his right leg. An inquest was held at the undertaking establishment of C.W. Evans Sunday afternoon and an autopsy performed over the body to find out which one of the officers killed Barrett. The verdict was to the effect "that Santford Barrett came to his death at the hands of J.F. Bateman and A.G. Whitaker". Barrett was sixty years old and a native of Kershaw, SC. He was employed at different farms as a share cropper. He leaves a wife and nine children who reside in the neighborhood of the Heritage Cotton Mills a good seven miles from where the still was being operated. His remains were buried Sunday afternoon in the Pine Creek cemetery. A coat that was found at the scene had letters and papers making it evident that the owner was W.F. Russell, and A.G. Whitaker stated that Mr. Bateman had seen four men at the scene when they arrived and that two men had run away and the two that stayed did the shooting. Bateman had told Whitaker that Wardlaw Russell was at the root of the whole affair. At first Russell denied being at the scene, but later is said to have admitted he was present to purchase whiskey. Wardlaw Russell Jr was charged with complicity to manufacture whiskey and has hired Attorney M.M.Johnson to represent him. Jim Sheorn was charged with murder along with the seventeen year old Barrett who was released from jail on $1000.bond. Jim Sheorn remains in jail and has employed Attorneys E.D. Blakeney and L.A. Kirkland to represent him.
Young Boy Shot Near Kershaw - Leroy Faulkenberry Alleged to Have Been Killed by B. W. L. Gay Kershaw, Sept. 29 - Leroy
Faulkenberry, the 14 years old son of William Faulkenberry, is alleged to
have been shot and killed at abut 7 o'clock last night by B. W. L. Gay, a
prominent farmer in the Flat Rock section of Kershaw county. The shooting
is understood to have occurred on Gay's farm, a few miles below Kershaw.
The elder Faulkenberry and Gay are said to have had some unpleasantness
earlier in the day over some cows of Faulkenberry's, which Gay is alleged
to have taken up on his lands. Faulkenberry and his son, Leroy, it is
understood, then went over to Gay's home yesterday afternoon where, it is
alleged, the boy was shot following an altercation. Gay is said to have
used a shotgun, almost the entire charge, it is understood, entering young
Faulkenberry's back. Faulkenberry died a few hours after the shooting. No
arrests had been made tonight. All parties concerned in the tragedy are
substantial farmers in Kershaw county.
Merchant Murdered and Robbed at Camden, SC Charleston, SC, Oct 3 – Robert
McDowell, 48 years of age, a grocer of Camden, was found dead not far from
his home tonight, his head having been crushed by a blugeon evidently
wielded by a highwayman. His pockets were emptied of money and watch and
his books were laying at his side. There is no clue to the murderer.
McDowell's body was found by his little boy who went out to meet
him.
No Developments in Tragedy Among Camden Bank Officers on Monday Charleston, SC Nov. 17 – A dispatch from Camden, regarding the death of Bank President Boykin and the suicide of Cashier Zemp (E. C. Zemp), says: “There are no developments in the tragedy of Monday evening. The following notice signed by the directors of the Farmer's and Merchant's Bank was posted on the bank door this morning. ...On account of the death of the president and cashier occurring on the same day, this bank will remain closed for such time only as will be necessary for an inquiry into its affairs and for taking all proper measures to protect the interests of creditors.” “A thorough examination of the affairs of the bank is in progress tonight and as soon as the result is ascertained, it will be given to the public. Business amy be returned in a day or so.” President Boykin's son is the only
survivor who knows the safe combination, and he was to grief stricken
today to come down after his fathers funeral. Both of the dead men have
brothers on the board of directors, and no meeting was held of statement
prepared this morning.
Now Ascertained Why President and Cashier Killed Themselves Charleston, SC, Nov 18 – After an investigation into the affairs of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of Camden, S.C., last night the trouble as was suspected, pointed to ? Loans. The directors and expert accountants were at work nearly all night. A meeting was held this morning when a statement was signed by each director. It declared that “being called into special session on account of the sudden decease of the president and cashier,” and “having, with the aid of two experts, examined all of the available records, books, papers and accounts, found in the bank vault, the result of which satisfies the board that the assets and securities of the bank are sufficient eventually to meet all its legal obligations, and to pay all depositors and other creditors, but in view of the serious interruptions caused to its business by the calamity which has occurred, and the lack at this time of an available person willing to assume the duties of president, and in the further condition which exists that some time will be necessary to convert the assets into cash, the board determines for the best interests of all the creditors, under the circumstances, to make an assignment of all the property, securities, and credits of the bank to E. S. Vaux and A. D. Kennedy.” A deed of assignment was duly executed
and the assignees have assumed charge of the bank's
affairs.
Shannon Funeral Held Yesterday Camden, Sept 25 - Attended by hundreds of friends from every section of the state, so gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to the man who for over 40 years had been one of the dominating figures in the life of Camden, the funeral of William McWillie Shannon was held at Grace Episcopal church at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. F. H. Harding, rector of grace church, assisted by the Rt. Rev. Kirkman G. Finlay, bishop-coadjutor of the diocese of South Carolina. Interment followed in the Camden cemetery, Mr. Shannon finding his final resting place by the side of his father, William Shannon, also a member of the Camden bar. Mr. Shannon had a wide family connection throughout the state and numbered among his friends men and women in legal, business and social circles in practically every section of South Carolina. Grace church was filled to overflowing for the funeral many mourning friends being unable to find seats in the church during the services. Mr. Shannon, who was the oldest member of the Camden bar, died at his home at 9:30 o'clock Saturday night following only a few days' illness. He suffered a stroke of paralysis last Wednesday, gradually growing weaker as the days passed. Members of his immediate family were present at the time of his death, while many other relatives made the trip to Camden for the funeral services today. Surviving him are: His widow, who before her marriage was Miss Camillas Agnes Nelson of Sumter; three daughters, Mrs. Arthur McIver Griffin of Columbia, Mrs. George W. Brunson of Chicago and Miss Agnes Shannon of Camden; six sisters, Mrs. P. H. Nelson of Columbia, Mrs. James Heath of Camden, Mrs. William Johnson of Camden, Mrs. James Stoney of Charleston, Mrs. Nan Withers of Greenwood and Mrs. Lucy Boykin of Sumter, and two brothers, Adam Shannon of Portland, Ore., and Charles Shannon of Camden. Numerous other friends and relatives in South Carolina and elsewhere also survive, among these being William Shannon, Nelson a nephew of both Mr. and Mrs. Shannon. |
|
|
This is a FREE website.
If you were
directed here through a link for which you paid $ for, you can access much more
FREE data via our
Genealogy Trails History Group website at
http://genealogytrails.com for much more nationwide historical/genealogical data
and access to our other state/county websites.
