The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1878-06-13
Murder by Revenue Officials-A Man
Shot Down in Cold Blood.

o'clock four Revenue officials by the names
of Mouse (or Moose,) Durham, Kane and
Scruggs, 1--WE do not know their initialsl. went
to the house of Mrs. Ladd, widow lady,
living in the mountainous section of this
county, and brutally murdered her son Amos
Ladd, young man, aged about 81 years.
We have not the full particulars of this most
attrocious and fendish murder, but will give
briefly, only what has come to us, as we con-
slider it, we'll authenticated, and reserve full
Ter particulars for future time, when all the
facts can be properly brought out. 1t ap-
pears that the young man was standing, or
rather leaning against the door facing, when
the Revenue officers rode up, or walked up
1--WE believe they were walkiug,) and adeib-
erately shot. him dead on the spot. without
moments warning or an intimation of their
designs. The young man fell out Of the door
lifeless, when the officials said to his brother,
'who have we shot" The reply was, "you
have shot my brother" The officers then
turned and left the house, but concealed
themselves on small hill near the house in
the brush, and remain there for some time,
for what purpose it is not known. They then
went to the store of Mr.. King, some four mills
off, where they endeavored to hire convey
ance to Easley Station. Mr.. King told them
that he could not carry them that evening,
but if they would wait until morning, he
would carry them This they said, they
could not do as they had business of impor-
tance to attend to and must go that night.
They then hired one mule from him, and
r.. A.
through this place by O back way, about
dusk, and arriving at Easley, just in time
to take the o'clock train going North. He
gave negro ten cents to carry the mule to
the livery stable, with instructions to send
1t back to Mr.. Baylis Hendricks, at this place.
where the officials had told Mr.. King they
desired the mule to ride to.
It appears that two shots were fired at
Ladd, the first taking effect and killing him,
while the second missed. From this fact,
and the fact that Kane rode off Mr.. Kings
mule and left Immediately on the train it is
supposed he did the killing. The other three
went across the country towards Greenville
on foot, and at this writing we know not
where they are.
MIR. John L. Gravley came4to town Sunday
night and informed Trial Justice Taylor of
the murdery who at once issued q warrant
and placed it in the hands of the Sheriff, and
that officer at once started in pursuit of the
murderers Mr.. Gravley had been informed
that Hoffman was one of the party, and was
the only one known by the parties giving him
the information, hut from Mr.. Kings state
ment, who knows the men, it is poss ible that
mistake was made, and that Hoffman was
not with the party; if he was, he did not go
to Kings store. When the Sheriff arrived at
Easley he learned Of the flight of Kane, and
on Monday morning as soon as the telegraph
offices were opened, sent off the following
message:
RAsLEY, PICKENs Co., S. c., June 10, 1878.
TO the Chief of Police Of Greenviile, Spar
tanburg, Charlotte, ard Columbia. A man
by the name of Ladd was brutally murdered
in this County yesterday by five Revenue
officers, named Hoffman, Cain, Scruggs,
> Durham, and Mouse. They have fed. Look
out for them JoAB MAULD1N, s.P.C. .
AS above stated, it is probable that there is
mistake as to Hoffman being with the par ty,
but as to the others, there is no mistake, for
Mr.. King and others know them WE'LL
1t is likely, if Kane kept on he had left
Charlotte before the Sherif's telegram reach.
ed that place. and may succeed in making
good his escape for the time being The
others, we think, WILDE captured.
From all the facts gathered by US, we
pronounce this one of the most fiendish
cold blooded murders ever committed in this
County. But we will refrain from further
comments until the case has been properly
investigated.
Since the above was put in type, Sheriff
Mauldin has received the following telegram;
H'Kane, Scruggs, Durham, and Mouse, sur
rendered to the Sheriff Of Greenville."
JNo. q. GREER, Chief Police.
The Greenville News speaking of this, the
surrender of the parties says: Why they did
not go'to Piokens C. H. and surrender to the
Sheriff Of that County, we are not informed.
The reason may be, that they suppose at
Greenville they may, Hke Deputy Marshal
Springs did, a few days ago, for a similar
outrage, give o bond, with negro sureties,
for their appearance at Court. ... .,
The inquiry "when is the primary
election to come Off" is still PROFOUND.