The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-17
4 BAD STATE OF AFFAIRS,
BUTLERBANKssH SHOOTS JAS. C. BANKS,
AT SMOKEY TOWN, IN THE YARD
OFA NEIGHBoR, IN DAYLIGHT.

BUTLER BANKS SHOOTS JAS. C. BANKS,
AT SMOKEY TOWN, IN THE YARD
FANEIGHBOR, IN DAYLIGHT.
| Buffers Dwelling and Corn Crib Burned
at Night-His Wife and Children Left
to Themselves Without Shelter-The
Strong Arm Of the Law Invoked.
Not long since, we gave an account
through these columns, of the shooting
of Butler Banks, on his way. home
from town. We then predicted that as
soon as Butler could "perambulate" we
would again hear from Smokey Town.
Our prediction has been mcst wofully
! verified. James c. Banks, a prominent
citizen of Smokey Town, on last Sat
urday morning about s O'Clock, at
O'Neall Academy, was shot by Butler
Banks, Of the same section. J. {. Banks
is dangerously, though not necessarily,
fatally wounded. The news reached
town on Saturday evening and was
much commented upon, and much re-
gret expressed on the unhappy state OF
, affairs in this unfortunate section of
cur grand old county. The rumors
were somewhat vague, and SO on Sum
day morning we were determined to
ascertain the facts in the case, and in
company with Judge Hair started for
the scene of action.
The facts as we gathered them from
Mr.. J. C. Banks and two eye witnesses
are mainly based upon oath: Jas.
G. Banks is an agent for pictures and
literature. He had started on can
vassing tour N the morning quite
early. His first place to stop was at
neighbor's house in sight Of Buffers
house. 1t is supposed, and very rea-
sonably too, that here Butler first saw
James C. Banks, and guessing or rather
knowing his business, hurriedly gath
cred his gun, double barrel shot gun,
and preceded James Banks to the
public road at O'Neall Academy, know
ing that James would be compelled to
come into the "big road" at or near
that point. He calculated correctly.
| Butler took his oldest son, lad Of l3
years, old with him, telling his wife
that he was going to sell his OK, and
that if he came across "Jimn Banks, he
was going to kill him. There had been
exceedingly bad blood between the men
for some time. They are not related.
Butler, arrived at O'Neall, had short
conversation with Miss Dorothy Hole
man, who lives there, and then in full
open view seated himself by the side Of
q large pine tree on the road side. He
did not have to remain long before
James Banks arrived, and entered the
house of Miss Holeman without per-
ceiving Butler who was just about 40
yards distant, at the tree mentioned.
Butler remained there quietly until
James Banks, came out of the house,
and down the steps, when Butler
quietly arose, took deliberate aim and
fired at James Banks. The gun was
loaded with buck-shot, four of which
took effect in the body of James, one in
the right hand, a painful wound, one
in each arm near the shoulder, both
flesh wounds, and one penetrated the
forehead, just above the left eye, and
ranged downward. This is the serious
wound. James Banks did not fall,
but called to Butler not to shoot him
any more as he was hurt. Butler did
not heed him, but raised his gun again,
when James ran around the corner of
the house, and the corner of the house
received the contents of this barrel.
James now knew the gun was empty
and ventured from his place of refuge,
when Butler drew his pistol, and again
James got behind the corner in time to
save further harm, and again the house
received the ball. At length James
ventured to look around the corner,
when, bang, went Buffers pistol again,
but without effect. BY this time James
was bleeding profusely, and left by the
rear of Miss HoleElan's house, and
Butler, either satisfied, or without
ammunition, left in an opposite direc-
ton. Judge Hair issued warrant for
Buffers arrest on Saturday night. Yes
terday, Sunday in our presence be took
James Banks ante-mortem statement.
He was cheerful and in good spirits;
and was dol ng as we'll as a man could
do under similar circumstances. The
physicians succeeded Il getting only
one Of the shot out. TIL one that en-
tered the forehead had lot been locat-
ed. Butler has made his escape.
But the sad and lamentable part of
this tragic affair remains to be toll.
It has a most deplorable and heart
rending sequel. On the nlght OF the
same day Saturday party Of men
unknown to the writer, repaired to the
residence of Butler Banks, where there
were only Mrs. Banks and her six little
children, without any human protec-
ton whatever, and deliberately and
devilishly set fire to the dwelling IN
which were this poor heart torn moth
er and her six little children, the oldest
a lad of about 13 years old. The crack
ling of the flames awoke their sad
mother to find her house on fire. With
almost superhuman efforts, and by the
aid of her little ones, she succeeded in
extinguishing the flames. These heart
less, soulless men, if be allowed to
term them men, on pain of death, and