The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-07
\ FATAL SHOOTING.
Thomas D. Stack Kills John Hammett in
Difficulty about Money Matters.
1Special to Augusta Chronicle. |

COLUMBIA, S. c. April 3o.--aIeagre
details have reached this city or a
shooting affair in Lexington county
between two white men, which seems
likely to result. in the death OF one OF
the participants.
Mr.. Tom Stack, a son Of Capt. w. H.
Stack, of this city, did the shooting, and
Mr.. John Hannlctt,:a brother of b. }.
Hamme;t, Of Biackvilie, is the victim.
Mr.. Stack is a member of the firm of
Stack & Ruff. contractors, engaged in
the construction Of a section of the
South Bound railroad, about ten miles
from Columbia, in lower Lexington
county.
The two invn got into an alteration
over some business transaction between
them, Haninett claiming Stack owed
him - and Stack denying it. Hard
words led to fuss. Stack drew his
pistol and fred three shots, each
one Of which took effect in Ham
mett's body. The injured man was
taken up and kindly cared for, but one
bullet which entered the stomach, it is
thought, has inflicted a fatal wound.
The Two other bullets lodged in the
shoulder and arm respectively.
Judge Melton, Columbia's famous
criminal lawyer, has been engaged as
counsel for young Stack.
DEATH OF Mr.. HAMETT.
Especial to News and Courier
COLUMBIA, May 1.-Mr. Hamett,
who was fatally shot by Mr.. Stack,
died here this evening. He made Il
statement, in which he says he was
unarmed during the difficulty that led
to the killing, that he made no attack
or assault Oh Mr.. Stack and that the
latter during the row pulled out pis
tol and shot him. Sheriff Rowan has
placed Mr.. Stack in Richland County
Jail.
THE STACf-HAMMET EFT INQUEST.
Especial to Sunday News.1
CoLUMBIA, May 2.-The inquest in
the Stack-Hammett homicide case was
begun this morning. Messrs. Williams
& Skinner appeared on behalf OF the
State at the request by telegram from
the brothers Of the deceased. Mr.. Will
liams also had letter from Attorney
General Pope, authorizing him to ap-
pear. Judge Melton represented the
friends of the deceased. AS stated this
morning Mr.. Hammett made an ante
mortelu statement, the essential points
OF which were given. 1t is as follows
in full:
HAMMETT'S STATEMENT.
I, Jvhn B. Hammett, fully conscious
of my end OF life, do make this my dy-
ing declaration as follows:
l had no pistol or other weapon
about NE when shot, nor did l have
any weapon on me that day. The
only time that carried a weapon was
when going from the house to the COM
missary at night. I was about thirty
or thlr;y-tiva yards from Mr.. Stack
when shot. / did not have stick up
there. l was laughing at him on his
horse, and told him that I was not
afraid of him or his horse. did not
throw a lightwood knot at him. did
not put my hand behind me to draw a
pistol, had none; nor did have any
intention of drawing pistol. l told
him that I could whip him. This was
ali the threats that l can remember.
Al tHe SuootluS CLdIIeS OilIltHi DoO
Williams-these are all present except,
perhaps, some little darkies.
Taken before me this 1st of May,
1891. PRINGLE T. YOUMANS.
Notary Public.
The jury consisted of the following
R. kingslang, foreman, w. S. Reamer,
Harry Scott. a. NJ. MeetZe, J. G..
Mooney, J. w. Comtie, B. c. Sloan,
w. O. Craig, r. o, Jones, r. G.
Wright, P. J. Rucker, w. J. Arrants,
Sa6lpr GilleSnje