Sumter County, South Carolina
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Morning New Review - Florence
News Columbia, S.C. Dec 3 - James "Donnie" Holmes one of two negroes awaiting electrocution at the state penitentiary, was baptized today in preparation for his execution. Holmes and Tom Wardlaw will be put to death early tomorrow, the former for choking to death his aunt, Nora Franklin, in Sumter county, and the latter for stabbing to death Andrew J. Ferguson, prominent white planter, in Abbeville county. Both have admitted the crime of which they were convicted. Wardlaw, however, asserting ? the white man in self defense. Wardlwaw was baptized several days ago. Governor Blackwood has indicated he does not intend to inter? with the sentences of the two men. Tuesday December 5,
1933 Columbia, SC Dec 4 - Two negroes, Tom Wardlaw, Abbeville county and James Holmes, Sumter county, were electrocuted at the state penitentiary before dawn today, for murder. Both admitted the slaying of which they were convicted and said they were "ready to go," but Wardlaw to the last insisted he stabbed to death Andrew J. Ferguson, prominent white farmer in self defense. The 33 year old negro, father of 14 children, in a final written statement said: "I thank God that what ? me ? trouble was only trying to defend myself". Holmes, 26 years old, was executed for choking to death his aunt, Nora Farnklin, allegedly to collect a $125 insurance policy he held on her life. The Rev. G. K. Phillips, prison chaplain, said the Sumter negro told him he had been drunk for two months proceding his aunts murder and remembered it only vaguely. Six relatives of Ferguson saw the negro go to his death in the electric chair, and 13 Sumter negroes, including Rev. S. Tinsley, were present to witness Holmes death and return his body to Sumter for burial. The Morning News Review (Florence, SC)
September 2, 1925 Sumter, Sept 1 - W. A. Howard, railroad policeman of the Atlanttice Coast Line Railraod was shot, and killed in the railroad yards here early tonight. A coronor's jury charged an "unknown negro" with the shooting. The slayer, after shooting the officer, turned and attacked him with a knife. Howard's head and chest were so badly mutilated that it was impossible to ascertain how many times he was shot, officers reported. A negro woman, who is said to have witnessed the shooting, stated that Howard was chasing the negro and gaining on him when the negro suddenly turned and fired four or five times at the officer. Howard fell and the negro rushed upon him and stabbed him a number of times with a knife, the woman said. A coroner's jury returned a verdict that the officer came to his death as result of wounds inflected by an unknown negro. Officers are at work on the case. The slayer was described as a tall slender negro, wearing a white shirt and black hat.
The State February 26, 1918 Baby Burned to Death Sumter, Feb 25 – The 11 months old baby of Mr. And Mrs. William
Steele of West Liberty Street died as the result of burns from a pot of
boiling water. The child was playing on the floor when the kettle was
overturned on the lower part of its body. The baby was removed to the
hospital where it received immediate attention and rallied from the first
shock, but the burns were too severe and the child died Wednesday
afternoon. The burial was at Olanta. The State August 31, 1897 Sumter's Teachers and other news Sumter, Aug 30 - The teachers' institution for the teachers of Sumter county was organized at 9:30 o'clock this morning in the graded school with an enrollment of 35 and the regular institution work was begun. Superintendent W. S. Thompson of the Rock Hill graded schools is the director of the institute and his assistants are Prof. E. P. Moses of Winthrop college and Mr. M. A. Ranking, superintendent of the Lancaster Graded schools. Mr. Thompson lectured on English grammar, Prof. Moses on reading and Mr. Rankin on arithmetic. The exercises of the institute will be held each day of this week and also lectures each night in the assembly hall of the graded school. Tomorrow night, Prof. F. C. Woodward of the South Carolina college will deliver an address. Col. J. L. M. Irby was in this city for several hours yesterday and took occasion to express himself freely on the political situation. He paid particular attention to Senator Tillman, reiterating all that he had said in his Florence speech, but in a more emphatic manner. He said he was confident of getting a very large vote. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Yates returned today from Greenville, after a stay of several weeks. Miss Mamie Edmunds, who has been visiting relatives in Hartsville,
returned today. Newberry Observer, Feb 7,
1889 Transcribed by HC, A Friend of Free
Genealogy Sumter Jan. 1-The Osteen hall was beautifully decorated with Christmas decorations for the New Year's dance given by the Holiday Eve club Thursday evening. The dance was very largely attended, guests coming from all over the State for it. Two courses of refreshments and punch were served in the supper room downstairs. Everything about the dance was attractive from the dance cards to the favors given with each of the german figurea. Mrs. G. M. Wham of Laurens is visiting Mrs. Meilette. E. J. Reardon, Jr., of Augusta spent the holidays with his parents. Mrs. Millis of Statesville, N. C., is visiting her daughter, Mrs. M. W. Seabrook. Miss Kathleen Moore of Columbia is visiting Miss Teresa Chandler. Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas entertained at the Imperial home Wednesday evening in honor of her guest Miss Edyth Willis of Macon Ga. Gypsy fortune telling games and dancing made the time pass quickly. The decorations were green and red and temping refreshments were served at the close of the evening. Mrs. Harry Green and Miss Ethel Green gave a card party Tuesday afternoon at the Green home on the corner of Church street and Hampton avenue. There were seven tables of auction and the prizes were won by Mrs. Isaac Schwartz and Mrs. Henry Barnett. Punch was served during the game and two courses of refreshments after it. Miss Agnes Richardson issued invitations early in the week for a party in honor of her sister, Mrs. Harvey Topp of Winston-Salem. Mrs. Abe Levi of Manning has been spending the week with Mrs. Ferd Levi and has been the recipient of much attention. Her hostess gave two pretty affairs, one Christmas night and the other Thursday afternoon, and Mrs. Mitchel Levi entertained for her Wednesday evening. Dr. and Mrs. Marion Zemp, who were married in Anderson on December 26 arrived in Sumter Tuesday Afternoon. Among the college students who spent the holidays at home were: Baker Spann, Robert McKay, G. L. Shore, Jr., Russell Dick, University of Virginia, Alva Solomons, Willie Mellvaine, Mac Stubbs, Phillip Booth, Davidson, Misses Aline Harby, Rita Schwartz, Agnes Scott college; Miss Dorothy Phelps, Greensboro Normal; Misses Bessie Walsh, Elizabeth Hood, Lily Gregg, Frances Blanding, Mabel Booth, Minnie Jones, Grace Wells, Cora Duffle, Rosa Cheyne, Mamie Edmunds, Virginia Thomas, Cornella Brower, Kate Hinson, Winthrop; James Pitts and Ansley Hurst, Massy Business college; Clarence Farnsworth , Furman; James Purdy, University of South Carolina; William Purdy Clemson college; R. H. Rembert, Wilton Wilson Wallace, A. B. and Roland Boyle, J. T. Green, Wofford college; Clifford Shaw, Cuttino McKnight, Wake Forest; Misses Sallie Rembert and Frances Smith, Converse; Misses Ruth Brown and Florence Shaw, Greenville Woman's college; Miss Harriet Owens, Johnson City Normal; Miss Thelma Bultman, Elizabeth college; James Chandler, Maryland Medical college; Miss Julia Wright, Virginia; Harold Moise, Georgia School of Technology. Ensign Hammond Bowman, U. S. N. is spending the week with his parents Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Bowman. J. K. Crosswell has gone to Baltimore, where he will attend Judge Joseph McCullough at his wedding Monday. Dr. Luther Courtney of the Wofford college faculty is visiting Dr. and Mrs. C. H. Courtney on Salem avenue. Mrs. J. D. Blanding is visiting in Florida. Miss Marion Saiterwhile of the Winthrop faculty is spending the holidays with her sister, Mrs. Louis Rhame. Mrs. Will Napier of Darlington paid a short visit to Mrs. Louis Rhame this week. Misses Lucile, Carita and Viva Randle and Edwin Randle spent Christmas with their parents Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Randle on Washington street. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Carter and children of Ashland, Va., John D. Lee of Columbia and R. P. Dicks of New York were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Lee for the holidays. Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Willis of Florida, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Hodges of Georgia and Miss Edyth Willis of Georgia have been visiting Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Whitied at the Claremont hotel. Some of the out-of-town visitors at the Holiday Eve club dance Thursday evening were: Miss Beulah Hall, Florida; Misses Jessie Williamson, Isabel Williamson and Bob Langston, Hasell Bristow, Geo. Brown Darlington; Miss Minnie Williamson and Capers, Columbia; Miss Patterson, Allendale; Miss Brand, Wilmington; Miss Louise King, Mavesville; Miss Edith Moore, Florida; Miss Marguerite Patterson, Barnwell; Miss Edna Tobin, the Philippines; Miss Agnes Soverance, Timmonsville; Misses Johnson and Butler, Hartsville; Miss Law, Georgetown; Archie Jefford, McFaddin Gregg, J. L. Earringer, Jr., Lawrence Barringer, Furman Swalls, John Burch, Joe Brunson, Stakleather, Florence; Tom Brand Augusta; Minter Davidson; Henry Moore, R. H. Jennings, Jr., Orangeburg; Charles Moore, Charleston; Harry Sanders, J. W. Fogarty, F. B. Stanley, J. c. McLeod, K. E. Johnson, E. E. Lucas, Florence. Misses Eileen and Mildred Hurst have spent the past week in Savannah. Eugene Jones of Richmond spent a few days in the city with his mother last week. L. B. Leseane of Atlanta was a holidays visitor in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frierson of Fountain Inn spent the week with the Friersons at "Cherry Vale." Miss Rebecca Hall of Columbia spent the week with her sister, Mrs. Louis Williamson. Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Earle of Greenville spent the holidays with relatives in town. Miss Mattie Hill of Hartsville is the guest of Miss Bessie Walsh. Mrs. E. F. Slrother and children of Batesburg spent the holidays with Judge R. O. Purdy. |
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