The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-05
p. G. BoWMAN's ACCOUNT.

his residence suffering considerably
from his wounds, the most serious o
which was scalp wound, the othel
two being in the right hand. Mr.
Bowman's statement was about q:
follows: Il had heard of threats
that Mr.. D. <. keels had made about
making me bite the dust the next time
he came to Sumter, and this morning
as | was standing nn Main street ir
front of my Office, Keels rode up the
street in an omnibus, glsring at me
in a most threatening manner as be
passed. I walked across the street
to my office steps and was standing
there when Mr.. Keels and Mr.. K.
Pennington came wslking up the
street very hurriedly.: I stepped
down on the sidewalk, expecting an
attack. but he turned into his sons
office before he reached me. About
half an hour after this was arrested
and taken to Trial Justice Hsyns.
worth's office. where l was told that
would be required to give peace
bond. While the bond was being
prepared Sheriff Sanders brought in
Mr.. John r. Keels and his father, D.
E. keels. AS he entered the room
he fixed his eyes on me and put his
hand in his breast. There were sew
eral persons standing between as,
and he waited until the way was
clear and then drew pistol. With.
out awaiting any further develop.
Tents | drew my pistol and COM
mencei firing IS rapidly as could.
[ was anticipating trouble, but did
not want anyone else in it. I would
not let brother (W. A. Bowman) 60
to the trial Justices armed. He was
present at tue shooting altogether
uaarmed."
WHAT Mr.. HARBY SAYS
Mr.. Walter J. Hardy was met on
the street late this afternoon with
his head bound up. He had received
several cuts in the sftray, but none
serious. Hardy said that when the
shooting began Pennington drew his
pistfl and opened on Bowman. He
was standing near Pennington, G.
rushed on him and grappled wit
him. Pennington turned with knife
in one banda pistol in the other. Har-
by then drew his pistol and CON-
menced firing at Pennington, who
closed on him with knife, cutting
him on the head and neck. D. Z.
Keels then closed on Hardy, press.
ing pistol against his body. Hardy
caught the weapon and turned it
aside as it went off. He was holding
Pennington off when they were dis.
armed by the police. .-.
EVIDENCE OF EyE-wITNEssEs.
Other particulars Of the affair were
procured from Sheriff Sanders,
Messrs. G. C. Bacon. J. A. Schwerin,
and others who were eye witnesses to
the shooting. 1t seems that Sheriff
Sanders was standing by the door as
John r. Keels ran out. AS Keels
passed the sheriff be wrenched the
latter's pistol from him, and running
out of the door, fired up through the
sash Of the east front window twice.
At whom these shots we're directed,
and whether they took effect or not,
it is impossible to say.
Mr.. j. A. Schwerin, the trial JUS
tees deputy, was the first person
who reached Mr.. Haynsworth after
he was shot. He says he did not
see him fall. Policeman Sam Hurst
says he fell right over on his face.
He was struck while sitting in his
chair. His last words were addressed
tn Messrs. Bowman aud Hardy. who
were being put under peace bond.
He had then prepared the .nsces.
sary papers and turned and asked !:
.'Gentlemen, are you ready;?" Just
at that moment the promiscuous firing
began. He was Totally unconscious,
after being shot, until his death.
Pennington could not be found TO-
night. lie was shot through the
body, but fortunately without any
serious effect. All the parties ell.
gagged we're arrested this sfternoop.
P. 6. Bowman and W. J.. Garhy
were released on giving bond 20 keep
the peace in the sum Of $1,000 eac:,.
The other parties will probably be
bsiled out early in the morning.
THE BlsHoPvILLE SHOOTING AFFAIR.
Pursuant to instructions your cor.
respondent went to Bishopville yes.
terday to ascertain the facts in the
Bownan-keels shooting affair Of the
10th inst. He visited Mr.. P. 6.
Bowman, Jr.. the wounded man. who
gave the :ollowing statement, which
is corroherated in all points By the
Hon. W. d. Scarborough. Messes j..
D. Shaw, S. H. Kilgore, F, P, McLane
and other eye.witnesses,
Mr.. Bowman said that he had
beard of threats which Mr.. John E..
keels had made against him AMI had
prepared himself for a difficulty, al
though be intended to avoid it if
possible. On the 10th Of December
Mr.. D. +. keels came to Bishopville
esrly in the morning. aud his son
John Heels came up later in the day
from Sumter. About : O'Clock
Sam H. kilgore and T. P. McLane
came in bis store and told him that
the Mcssrs keels were in town, and
asked him to walk out on the street
to let them see he was not afraid. He
thereupon walked down the street
and met John r. Keels about thirty
feet from his store. Keels advanced