The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-06-22
Murder of james 8. Ledford.

Thursday morning news came 10 this place
that Mr.. James s. Ledford, until recently res.
ident Of this place, had been foully murdered
by a band of de.peradoes on Tuesday afternoon.
at Landtum Station, in South Carolina, three
miles below The Block House, on the Spartan
burg & Asbcvillc Railroad. An excursion party
left Spartanbnrg on the day mentioned and run
up to Landrum, where there was sale OF town
lots. Among tie excursionists was Ledford,
who informed his friends here by letter that he
was going there to buy q lot Messrs. e. w.
Duncan and Col. Jones, two young men Of this
place who were temporarily stopping in Spar
tanbuirs, accompanied Ledford. Shortly after
the arrival ,of the train at its destination, Led
ford approached his friends and said:
'Boys, yondcr is Weaver, man arrested
about three weeks ago for violation of the Rev
cnue laws. lie sent word that if he ever
saw me, he would kill me-"
Soon after this conversation Weaver stepped
up in front Of Ledford and said: al suppose
you arc the Revenue man that shot at me p
Ledford replied .'Pm the boy that done it,"
WELL" said Weaver, "do you want to try it
over? If you do L IN ready for you. Had you
any authority" Ledford replied. yes; and
il had the same authority | would do just
what did but have no authority now and
want no difficulty" Weaver then walked Oft
but in = short timo returned, and said: 81 be-
lieve you are the damned Revenue that shot at
me? and any time you get ready, I'm ready for
you Ii you are fcnuy, just step your Instance,
and I'll try you"
Lcdford repeated that he wanted no trouble
and again left him. This occurred shortly after
the arrival of the train-about IL o'clock II. IN.
Throughoutthe day and up to the time of tho
ledford off, on the pretcnsc of wishing to take
friendly drink with him but Ledford, believing
their object to be his assassination declined to
go.
Thus matters stood till o clock in the after
noon, the hour for the departure Of the train
All the passengers were aboard, and among
them Lodford, who was sitting on an improvised
seat on fiat car. Weater and his gang collec
ted around the car, and after cursng Lcdford
and defying lin to come down, Weaver said ::
You damned cowardly dog Boys, pull him
down" At this bidding n desperate named
Casey seized Ledfora by the arm, and jcrked
him down. Then ensued struggle between the
two, in which Ledford threw Casey While
leaning over him, he was beaten over the head
with sticks and pistols, and finally pulled off
his antagonist. Before he could regain his feet
he was fired upon by both Weaver and Casey
One Of the balls entered behind his left shoul-
der blade and lodged in his lung the other car
risd off the second finger sf his right hand
While in this condition the father of Cascy-a
man 20 or IS years Of age-ran UP and stabbed
him three times in the back. Lcdford ex-
claimed: "Oh Lord I'm dead" The mur-
derers then desisted, and commenced to flee.
Sheriff Thompson ordered those present to ar
rest them, and two or three followed Weaver,
but were intercepted, and warned that if they
continued the pursuit, they would 10 it at their
peril.
Ledford was carried to box-car where every
thing was done to relieve his sutrerings lie
survived only about three quarters of nm hour,
but was conscious Of his condition during that
time. lie conv0rscd with those around him.
Among his last expressions were: 81 always
thought was to die this way. knew | would
be killed" lilo requested Mr.. Carpenter, a
merchant of Spartanburg, t. secure his pocket
book and watch and send them 10 his father;
and to send for his brother Andrew, who was
then at Cross Anchor, in South Carolina about
70 miles from Landrum. The body Of the un-
fortunate man was taken to Spartanburg and plac
ed n metallic coffin. Wednesday about O clock
Andrew Lcdford, Charles Duncan and Calvin
Jones Loft that town with the remains arriving
here about daylight Friday, and he was bur
led the same day in the graveyard at Jarrett 5
netting house, about three miles from here, and
net far from the residence of his father His
msther is iaterred in the same place.
The deceased was deputy sheriff of this coun-
ty under ]. M. Young, and marshal Of the town
in the year 1875. In these capacities he led =
stormy life, as it brought him in contact with
some of the worst elements Of our society In
the discharge Of his duties he always exhibited
remarkable degree of intrepidity and firmress
lie was about 26 years old.--AsheviHe Pioneer