The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-12-21
The Aiken Tragedy.

AIKEN, Doc. I4.-Mayor Robert A..
Chafee died tonight at o'clock from the
effects Of the pistol shot wound received
on Monday evening when attempting to
arrest T. G. Lamar. He was doing 30
we'll yesterday that it was thought that he
would recover and tho examination made
by the doctors confirmed this belief, but
change for tho worst set in this morning
about O'Clock and all day long he has
been loving ground, gradually sinking.
DR.. Wright, OF Augusta, Was telegraph
cd for and he came over on the p. m.
train. He at once saw that there was no
hope and returned TO Augusta on the 4.4b
train. The sudden change in Mr..
rectly accounted for, The doctors made
an examination Of the wound yesterday
morning. They made an exploratory in
oision at the point OF entrance and cut
down to the peritoneum, and found that
the ball had been DETECTED to the left by
tho rectus muscle and did not enter tho
peritoneal cavity. They came to the con-
clusion that the ball had lodged in the
muscles OF the back on the left side.
Now the theory is advanced that the ball
after going around struck tho spinal
column aud was reflected back, aud that
an artery supplying the heart must have
been cut.
An autopsy WAS held tonight between
10 and IL o'clock by Drs. T. G. Croft,
McGhan and j. Ives Edgerton with tue
following result: 1t was found that the
ball entered tho psritoueal cavity little
above its point Of entrance in tho body,
ranged upwards and perforated the trans
verse colon in several places. The cause
of death was from the perforation OF the
intestines and peritonitis.
An inquest will be held tomorrow
morning and the funeral and burial will
take place to morrow afternoon in Aiken.
Chief CASTOR, tho only surviving par
ticipant in tho unfortunate tragedy Of
Monday, is holding his own tonight, but
the fact remains that he is desperately
wounded.
The family had only within few weeks
removed to An elegantly furnished and
appointed home which the mayor had
purchased and repaired without stint OF
expenae, and it was expected that here
tho fruition Of tho dwellers' highest an
ticipations OF domestic happiness would
be attained.
Robert. A. Chnfoe was born in Charles
ton 81 years ago, and was one OF the seven
sons of Otis j. Chafse, merchant of that
city in the olden time. Iu 1874 he went
to Augusta, where for five years be en-
gagged in the cotton business. Then he
settled In Madison, Ga. whore two years
later, his health greatly impaired by
siege Of typhoid feyer, he came to Aiken
for recovery in 1882. Soon after his loca-
ton in this city he was elected as NOM
Der of the city council, In that capacity
he served two years, proving a most use.
ful member. In 1890 be- WAS elected
Mayor Of Aiken and at once set out on an
official career that has been remarkable
for varied and desirable results for the
community. lie has improved and beau
titled our streets and drivsways and was
mainly instrumental in securing for the
city electric lights, and had contracted
for system Of waterworks which was to
be completed by the LIST Of March next.
A man OF great energy and full Of resour-
ces, he overoame difficulties that many
man would have quailed under, Mr..
Chafeo married Miss Ida B. Williams, of
Aiken, thirteen years ago, who with two
young children survives him.-Di,patch
to News and Courier.