The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-08
The Gayden Murder.
Tile Preliminary Held and C. 0. Raeslsr
Jr Discharged.

Since the discharge of Bob "A ndreWs and
young Weeks, who were 6rstcbarged with
the murder Of John E. Gayden, the Eastcver
depot agent, near Wedge6eld last March, the
case has been wrapped in mystery until last
.!Tbassday- Justice, J-N- Noseley who
has been working on the case, has at last
got clue, and on last Thursday warrants
were issued for Mr. C. 0. Wheeler, jr., Of
Mayesville, and Jackson Taylor and Thomas,
colored, of Wedge6eld.
The affidavit was madeeu on the testimony
of Rosa Polk, negro girl, who claims to
have been present when Gayden was killed.
She said that on the night of murder, she
and another woman, Katie Brown, together
with Jackson Taylor, attended party that
they left about II o'clock and went down
near the Wedge6eld depot Katie Blown left
them and went of for q little while and
duriog her absence Mr.. G. O.. Wheeler, jr.,
and negro named Tom Frierson came up.
When Katie Brown returned the entire party
searted up the track toward the Junction.
After going about q hundred and Fifty yards
she and Wheeler went off one side to talk
and the other three IN the party waited for
them on the other side of the track. While
she and Wheeler we're there they saw man
coming down the track with lantern, and
Wheeler said to her that it must be somebody
Spying and be would 60 across to the others as
he did not want the man tos him with her
Wheeler then crossed over and when the man
got within 25 yards of the party Wheeler
fred three shots, and after waiting few
seconds seven other shots were fired, but she
did rot know which of the three men fired.
The man on the railroad track walked little
further, spit several times and walking of
from the track little ways sat down. The
three men made her promise not to tell about
it and Wheeler said be would make it all
right with her
Jackson Taylor was arrested and C. 0
Wheeler, ir., gave himself up when he beard
that he was wanted. Katie Brown was
arrested in Charleston and Tom Friersou is
still at large.
The preliminary was commenced before
Trial Justice Wells yesterday. R. 0. Purdy,
ESQ.,, appeared fol. Wheeler, and Trial Justice
Moseley, acted as prosecuting attorney. Mr..
Moseley asked for continuance 90 account of
the absence of material witness, who could
not be present until $50 p. IN. This was
granted. At that hour the preliminary was
taken no iu the Court House which was filled.
r. o. Purdy, Esq, who has been acting
for Solicitor Wilson during his illness was
iussructed by the Attorney General to appear
for the State against Jackson Taylor.
Rosa Polk was the only witness examined.
She testified that she attended party and
returned to Wedge6eld between II and
o'clock in company with Jackson Taylor and
Katie Brown. Katie Brown left them there.
Taylor left her, saying be was going back
to see if Mr. Wheeler was still! back there.
She then went home About o'clock she
went down the railroad track towards the
junction ia company with Taylor. When
near the graveyard they saw man coming
down the track with lantern. Taylor said
it was Wheeler. Taylor whstled and was
answered from across the track. Taylor
said that it was his partner Tom Frierson.
TAYLOR went across the track, and said be
was going to shoot Wheeler. heard three
shots. Heard the man spit and humble.
Then there were seven more shots. The man
tried to get up the bank, then walked back
down the track few steps, dropped. his
lantern and fell down. Taylor aud Frierson
ran off across the field and | vent home.
Saw Taylor Ere the first three shots, but
don't know. who fred the others. Knew
that Taylor had a pistol. She went down
the track and saw the dead man, and was
told that it was Gayden. Taylor told me TO
say Wheeler shot the man. did tell another
story but reported Mr. Wheeler wrong. l
was afraid Of Taylor. Taylor asked her q
few questions, but nothing new was brought
out. Taylor was asked if he wished to make
any statement, but was cautioned that as be
had 90 attorney it would be dangerous for
him to do 80. After consultation with q. E.
Walker be decided to make no statement.
Mr.. Purdy asked that C. O. Wheeler, Jr.,
be dismissed, which was granted. Taylor
was remanded to Jail. Taylor asked that the
other witnessee be examined, but this was not
done.
1t appears, however, that his request should
have been granted, for some important fact
may have been brought out. And it does
appear rather hard that be should have been
remanded to Jail on the sole testimony Of a
witness who has told conflicting stories.
1t is not believed that Wheeler had any
part in the murder and his realase is crafty
L. f., fvsa