The Murder of James S. Gilliam The State March 4, 1911 Newberry, March 3 – A bloody tragedy took place today at Jno. C. Hipp's Old Town plantation, 12 miles west of Newberry, in which James S. Gilliam, a white man, cut a negro woman, Maybell Rook, on the neck and jaw and her mother, Clayton Boozer, on the hand with a knife. Gilliam himself was shot and killed by Sam Boozer, the husband and father of the women. Boozer used a shotgun. The load went through the back of the neck as Gilliam turned, causing instant death. Gilliam lived on Mr. Hipps place, as did the negroes. This morning Boozer and several other negro men on the place came to Newberry and were in the store of Geo. C. Hipp getting plantation supplies when John Hipp got a phone message that Gilliam had cut a negro woman's throat and telling him to come at once. He and the negro men left on the 2:48 Southern train this afternoon and it was shortly after they reached the place that the shooting occurred. A large crowd has gathered and there is much excitement. The sheriff and coroner have just gone to the scene. Mr. Gilliam was 43 years old and leaves a wife and four children. The difficulty started by Mr. Gilliam refusing to let the woman was at the well. He is said to have been drinking. Witnesses say that Gilliam put his hand behind him as if to draw a pistol, but he had no pistol. Boozer made his escape. The State March 5, 1911 Newberry, March 4 – The past week in Newberry has been marked by the mysterious disappearance on Thursday of Thomas Aughtry Hawkins, who was likely drowned in Broad river or else was killed and thrown in by a negro while crossing in a boat; the shooting and serious wounding of Richard Burton on Wednesday afternoon by Hiram Cleland, a negro; the killing of Jas. S. Gilliam yesterday afternoon by Sam Boozer, a negro. Cleland and Boozer are fugitives from justice. Sam Boozer, who shot and killed Gilliam yesterday afternoon on Jno. C. Hipps Old Town plantation, has not yet been caught. If he had been caught last night he might have been lynched, as the crowd were much infuriated. If he is caught now there will probably be no trouble. The coroner's inquest was held last night, the sheriff and coroner returning to town this morning. They were carried up to the scene last night by Mr. Summers of Columbia in his auto, making the distance, 12 miles, in 40 minutes. Returning this morning, the machine broken down on the way, and the party had to get to town by the kindness of a farmer on the road, who lent them his wagon and team. In the party with Mr. Summers were the sheriff and the coroner and Geo. C. Hipp, son of Jno. C. Hipp. The witnesses at the coroner's inquest were all colored except Mr. Johnson. The jury found that Mr. Gilliam came to his death at the hands of Sam Boozer, colored, and that Alex Rook, colored, was accessory to the killing. Rook was arrested and has been committed to jail. The State March 25, 1911 Fears of Lynching – Case of Boozer was continued by Newberry County Newberry March 24 – The courthouse was packed this morning with an audience eager to hear the trial of Sam Boozer, a negro, and John C. Hipp, charged, respectively with the murder and accessory to murder, of Jas. S. Gilliam, the 3rd of this month, on Mr. Hipp's Old Town plantation. Boozer had been brought up from the penitentiary, where he had been carried by the sheriff, on the order of the governor, for his safekeeping, as there were fears of lynching. But the crowd was disappointed this morning, the case being continued by the presiding judge of his own motion because Boozer was without counsel. When the case was set on Tuesday for trial today the judge assigned G. G. Sale to defend him. Mr. Sale stated then that he was not feeling well, but if he were well on Friday he would do the best he could for the negro. This morning however, a physician's certificate stated that Mr. Sale was suffering with neuralgia, and upon this the judge excused the attorney and continued the case. Mr. Hipp, who is represented by counsel, was ready for trial, but his case had to be continued because of the continuance of that of the principal in the indictment. There is a good deal of talk about the continuance of the Boozer case, for which no one seems to be to blame. A petition to the governor is being discussed, asking for a special term of court for the trial of the case. The community in which Mr. Gilliam, the slain man, lived is especially stirred up over the matter, and there is considerable feeling in Newberry among the friends of the dead man and his brother, Jno. R. Gilliam, who lives here and has numerous friends. The State March 25, 1911 Disguised Negro Brought to city – Sheriff Buford protests Newberry negro Passengers on the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens train yesterday afternoon wondered muchly when on arrival at Columbia, they saw Sheriff Buford of Newberry take off the disguise of a negro whom it was afterwards learned he had in his charge and was conveying to the penitentiary. This curious revelation occurred just as the train left Prosperity. It was also learned that while the sheriff was already on the train when it reached Prosperity, he did not seem to have a prisoner in charge, and appeared to be traveling alone until the point was reached. Undisguised, the prisoner proved to be Sam Boozer, who is under the indictment for killing J. W. Gilliam, a reputable white farmer, at Old Town, on March 3. The trial of Boozer was to begin yesterday at Newberry, but when the court convened it was announced that G. G. Sale, who had been appointed by Judge Watts to defend the prisoner, was quite ill and could not appear. This fact brought the trial to a sudden halt and so much concern to the court for the safety of Boozer, taking into consideration the amount of excitement and fears of lynching which prevailed at Old Town when Gilliam was killed, that Judge Watts issued an order directing Sheriff Buford to convey Boozer again to the penitentiary whence he had been brought for trial when the court convened last Monday. The trial had attracted a large crowd of people, and there was no doubt much disappointment at the turn it had taken. However, the sheriff seemed determined to be on the safe side in obeying the order of the judge, whether or not the state of disappointment would be fanned into a flame of violent revenge. It is not probable that a single citizen of the town knew when the train left Newberry at 3:29 p.m. That it would take Boozer to the penitentiary. Disguising his prisoner, Sheriff Buford placed the man in charge of his deputies, who quietly departed with him from the jail yesterday afternoon and taking a circuitous route a mile or two in extent northeastward of the city until they reached the direct road to Prosperity, eight miles, distant, without molestation or without attracting attention out of the ordinary, Prosperity was reached. Just as quietly as he had sent Booze forward on the trip, so did Sheriff Buford board the train at Newberry, and no doubt felt relieved when he arrived at Prosperity and witnessed how well his clever plan had succeeded in his effort to obey the order of the judge. The trail of Boozer had also attracted additional interest on account of the fact that John C. Hipp, a prominent citizen and well-to-do farmer, had been indicted as accessory in the killing of Gilliam. It was on Hipp's place at Old Town that Gilliam was killed. Mr. Hipp was admitted to bail, and it was stated that his counsel would make a motion for a severance at the arraignment. Mr. Hipp had been arrested on the affidavit of the dead man's brother, a resident of Newberry. Boozer killed Gilliam instantly with a shotgun. Gilliam had cut Boozer's wife severely on the throat in a quarrel after he had forbade her to continue her family washing at the well. Boozer escaped, but surrendered within a few days near Greenwood and was brought at the time to the penitentiary by way of Augusta. The State March 8, 1911 Newberry, March 7 – Sheriff Buford, after reaching home from Greenwood last night returned there at once by way of Clinton, going in his buggy from her to Clinton, his purpose being to take Sam Boozer to the penitentiary by way of Augusta for safekeeping. The general impression here is that the negro would be perfectly safe in Newberry jail but the sheriff may have some information unknown to the public. It is understood here that Jno. C. Hipp will go before Judge Watts at Greenwood tomorrow morning and apply for bail on the carriage of being accessory to the killing of James Gilliam Sheriff Buford reached here yesterday evening with the negro, Sam Boozer, and lodged his prisoner in the penitentiary, where he will be kept until he is brought to trial. The sheriff came by way of Augusta to avoid bringing the negro through Old Town, where the killing took place of Newberry where there was considerable feeling. The sheriff thought that the people who gathered at Newberry may have come to the station largely from curiosity, but he did not care to take any chances with his prisoner. The State March 8, 1911 Newberry, March 7 – John C. Hipp, at whose Old Town plantation the killing of Jas. S. Gilliam by Sam Boozer, colored, occurred on Friday last, will be arrested as accessory to the killing. The warrant was sworn out before Magistrate Jas. C. Sample this morning upon the affidavit of John W. Gilliam of West End, Newberry, brother of the slain man. The warrant was placed in the hands of Constable C. G. Blease for service, who will make the arrest. The magistrate can not admit to bail in charges like this, and it will be necessary for Mr. Hipp to go before some circuit or supreme court judge for bond. Mr. Hipp, who lives on his farm two miles from town, was away from home today at one of his plantations and could not be reached by telephone, but he will surrender himself when he learns of the issuance of the warrant. The arrest causes something of a sensation, for Mr. Hipp is one of the best known men of the county, a man of large property and high standing in the community and a prominent member of the Lutheran church. He has a large family of children, most of them grown and married. The State March 13, 1911 Newberry, March 12 – Amos Boozer, colored, brother of Sam Boozer, who killed Jas. S. Gilliam at Old Town March 4th, was brought to Newberry and committed to jail today, on the charge of being accessory to the killing. The warrant was sworn out by John R. Gilliam, brother of the dead man, who some days ago, swore out the warrant against John C. Hipp on a similar charge. Sam Boozer surrendered to the sheriff of Greenwood on the 7th, and was taken to the penitentiary by way of Augusta, for safekeeping. Sam and Amos Boozer were laborers on Mr. Hipp's Old Town plantation, and were in Newberry when Mr. Hipp was informed by telephone of the trouble on the plantation, in which Mr. Gilliam cut Sam's wife and her daughter with a knife, having come down with other negroes on a wagon. When Mr. Hipp left by rail for the plantation, shortly after receiving the news, these two negroes went with him. The killing of Mr. Gilliam occurred that afternoon. The State March 29, 1911 Newberry, March 28 – Solicitor Cooper came to Newberry today and late this evening a letter was given out from Jno. R. Gilliam, brother of the late Jas. S. Gilliam, who was killed at Old Town the 3rd instant by Sam Boozer, a negro now in the State penitentiary, and for whose trial, together with that of Jno. C. Hipp, charged with being accessory, a demand has been made for a special term of court. In his letter Mr. Gilliam requests the solicitor to request the governor not to order a special term. The letter is addressed to R. A. Cooper, solicitor Eighth judicial circuit, Laurens, dated March 28, and reads as follows: "Referring to the matter of having a special term of the court of general sessions ordered for this county for the purpose of having tried the case of the State versus Sam Boozer and J. C. Hipp, charged with the murder of my brother, J. S. Gilliam, I desire to say that, after thinking well over the subject and after having consulted with several of our leading citizens, I have determined to write you to request you not to request the governor to order the court. Speaking for myself and the other brothers and sisters of the late James S. Gilliam, I want to say that all we want in the case is for the defendants to be tried in accordance with the law of the State and in the usual manner of having such cases disposed of. We do not ask any special favor from any of the authorities. We feel that at the proper time a court and jury will do what is right and if the guilt of these men is established by the evidence that a righteous verdict and just sentence will be had. We regret that some one has seen fit to send an anonymous letter to the governor. Doubtless the sender of the same was a friend of ours and our dead brother, but we think that he erred in writing as he did. We are sure that the judge is afraid of no living man and we know he did what he considered right and just when the case was before him last week. We can not attach any blame to either the judge or yourself. As there will be a court in June and as a special court could not be had until May we do not see the necessity of a term before the regular term. Then, too, a special term in May would come at a busy time with our farmers, who usually are jurors, and the county would be put to large extra cost. I wish to thank you for your statement that you will call the extra court if we desire it, and I wish also to thank Gov. Blease for the statement that he is willing to order the court. Very truly yours, J. R. Gilliam." The State June 13, 1911 Newberry, June 12 – In the cases of the State against Sam Boozer, colored, and John C. Hipp , white, charged with the murder of James S. Gilliam, white, at Old Town three months ago, Johnstone & Cromer, attorneys for Mr. Hipp, asked for a severance, which the court refused. The case was then set for trial tomorrow. The case has excited a great deal of interest, and a large crowds will attend the trial. The charge against Mr. Hipp is that he gave the negro the gun to kill Mr. Gilliam. Boozer has been in the penitentiary for safe keeping and was brought to Newberry this morning by Sheriff Buford. The State June 14, 1911 Hipp-Boozer Trial now on Newberry, June 13 - The court of general sessions was engaged all day in hearing the testimony in the case of the State against Sam Boozer, colored and John C. Hipp, white, charged with the murder of James S. Gilliam The testimony is undisputed that the negro shot Mr. Gilliam, but efforts were made by the prosecution to show that he did it with a gun bought by Mr. Hipp on the day of the killing and given to the negro for that purpose. Testimony was offered in behalf of Mr. Hipp that he bought the gun before he heard of the trouble at Old Town and that he sent the gun to his home, near Newberry, and when he and Sam Boozer took the train for Old Town after hearing of the trouble between Mr. Gilliam and Sam's wife and daughter, that it was not this gun that Sam used but an old one that he got after reaching his home. The arguments of the attorneys will be heard in the morning. The solicitor is being assisted by Eugene B. Blease in the prosecution. Johnstone & Cromer are the attorneys for Mr. Hipp. Sam Boozer is represented by G. G. Sale, by order of the court. The case is attracting much attention, and large crowds attend the hearing. The prominence of Mr. Hipp, who is a farmer of large means and of high social standing, lends interest to the trial. The State - June 15, 1911 Hipp is Acquitted of Gilliam Murder- Sam Boozer, colored, Sentenced at Newberry to Hang on Friday August 16 Newberry, June 14 - The court of general sessions, Judge Gary presiding, was engaged all day yesterday and today in the trial of the case of Sam Boozer, colored, and John C. Hipp, white, indicted for the murder of James S. Gilliam at Mr. Hipp's Old Town plantation on March 3, last. Mr. Hipp was acquitted and Boozer convicted. Mr. Gilliam was killed with a shot gun by Sam Boozer, and Mr. Hipp was charged with being accessory before the fact. On March 3, while Sam Boozer and other negroes from the plantation were in town for supplies, Mr. Hipp received a message telling him that his overseer, Mr. Gilliam, had had a difficulty with two negro women, and had cut one of them with a knife, and telling him to come at once. Mr. Hipp took the 2:48 o'clock train for Old Town, and Sam Boozer and another negro went in the train also, although they had come into town by wagon. Mr. Hipp had bought a gun and some cartridges in town that day and had had the gun wrapped up, and handed it to a negro who got on the train with it, but Mr. Hipp finding this out made him get off at Helena, and carry the gun back to Mr. Hipp's home near the city. This was not the gun Mr. Gilliam was shot with. It was shown on trial that after Mr. Hipp and the negroes got to the plantation Mr. Gilliam walked out of his house, and seeing Sam Boozer spoke to him, saying: "Hello, Sam," and that Sam raised his gun and fired, although Mr. Gilliam was making no demonstration toward him whatever. Mr. Hipp did not see the shooting, being in a house at the time, and he testified that he did not know Sam had a gun with him. There was a lot of testimony tending to show improper relations between Mr. Hipp and Mrs. Gilliam, the wife of the deceased. The arguments were long and able, Eugene S. Blease and Solicitor Cooper speaking for the prosecution, and G. G. Sale, by appointment of the court, for Boozer, and George B. Cromer and George Johnstone for Mr. Hipp. The Judge's charge was considered a fir, able and impartial one. After being out just 49 minutes, the jury returned with a verdict of guilty as to Sam Boozer and not guilty as to John C. Hipp. Judge Gary sentenced Boozer to hang on Friday, August 16. Boozer's counsel gave notice of a motion for a new trial. The State January 3, 1913 Negro was electrocuted – Sam Boozer of Newberry Paid Death Penalty at State Penitentiary Yesterday Sam Boozer, a negro, who was convicted in Newberry county several months ago on the charge of killing James S. Gilliam, a farmer, in December, 1911, and sentenced to death, was electrocuted at the State penitentiary yesterday morning. The current was turned on at 11:28 o'clock and the negro was pronounced dead by the prison physician two minutes later. A brother of the negro witnessed the execution. 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 Newberry County index page at http://genealogytrails.com/scar/newberry/index.htm Also make sure to visit our main Genealogy Trails History Group website at http://genealogytrails.com for much more nationwide historical/genealogical data and access to our other state/county websites