The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-04-22
Tie Gnll0ws iii Bnrnwell.
BLAcKv1LLE, S. c., April ID.

| VIM. =. bateS palu Tue eAtTeHe PeHhlty
of the law at Barnwell c. II. to-day, at
half.past o'clock, for the murder of S.
w. Bush at the residence of Mr.. D. G.
Burckhalter, near Joyce Branch, on
Christmas Eve last.
It was reported that an attempt to
rescue would be made, and Bates ap-
peared to anticipate something of the
kind, but if contemplated the fore ght
of the sheriff prevented it: A company
of militia was on guard all yesterday and
last night. The execution WAS private,
according to law, and no disturbance
occurred. Bates said to the last that the
killing of Bush was not Intentional on
his part, and claimed that his case was
prejudiccd by the prosecuting attorneys.
He expressed hope to his spiritual ad.
visers that be had made peace with God.
A Catholic clergyman from Charleston,
as we'll as ministers of other denomina-
tions, we're with him for some days.
Bates ascended the gallows erected
| within the Jail at thirty minutes after l
o. m., and the trap fell at eighteen min.
utes before 2 o'clock. The body was
taken down at ten minutes after 2. His
| neck was broken and death was instanta-
neous. No struggle or muscular con-
traction was perceptible except slight
motion Of the third and little fingers on
one hand. There was no distortion OF
the countensnce, and the eyes and mouth
| were closed. He was allowed the free.
dom of the Jail from 10 to l o'clock, when
| he was summoned to the gallows. He
ascended dozen steps and stood on the
platform without agitation. His manner
was extremely quiet, and he made no
confession.
A short resume of the facts attending
this homicide may not be out Of place in
this connection. Bates was present at
dancing party at the house of d. G.
Burckhaltcr, near Joyce Branch, on
Christmas eve last. Itappeared from the
testimony that lie was somewhat under
the influence of liquor, and manifested a
homicidal tendency, particularly towards
the deceased, Bush. After most of the
ladies had left the party, or preparing to
leave, Bates entered the room fourishing
hia pistol, vowing vengeance against the
one whom he alleged had broken up the
party, wheeled round with his pistol,
presented it ut Bush, who was standing
in the piazza leaning throug b the win.
dow, and shot him dead. Bush was o
quiet and unoffending young man, and
had given no cause for proyocation to
Bates, but on the contrary had done
everything in his power to avoid coming
in contact with him. His fate was deep
" regretted by the community in which
he lived, and deep sense of indignation
has been all along manifested by the
public towards his murderer.
From what can be learned of his ante
cedenb he was born at Blackville, but at
an early age was removed from place to
place until his mother finally settled in
Granitsville, where he received his edu-
cation. He entered the factory there and
passed through various grades of employ.
ment until be became head operative.
During this period, however, his employ
ment was interrupted by expeditions to
Tennessee and Indiana. He also kept q
barroom in Grapiteville for short time.
Owing to a difficulty with one R. E. May,
whom he shot while on drunken spree
in Graniteville, he left that neighborhood
and found employment in W. A. Hol-
mans store near Joyce Branch, where he
was clerking at the time of the homicide.
At 18 years of age he married young
woman in Graniteville, from whom he
separated after one months married e4-
periencs. The fruit of this marriage is
one child. Bates was a quiet enough
man when sober, but was considered dam
gerous and violent when drinking.
Bates is one of the few white men who
have been hanged in this State since the
war, H[e vas tried at Barnwell before
Judge Aldrich, on the 18th of February
last. He was defended by Robt. AL
drich, ESQ.,, the State being represented
by Solicitor CAN'T, assisted by D. S. Hen
derson, Esq. He was found guilty and
sentenced to be hanged on the 26th Of
March last, but upon that day he was
respited until yesterday. Bates was q
medium sized man, with dark complex.
ion, black hair, moustache and goatee,
and upon the whole was gentlemanly in
appearance. He generally dressed neat
", with rather a superabundant display
of iewelry about his person.-Speciat to
N.,rs nuG Gh1rier