The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-14
Letter From wedgedeld.
WrpsxrIsID March Is, 1894.


wEpssasIl March ls. 1894.
Our people have been for the past few days
in quite state Of excitement over the murder
committed here on the morning of the 10th
instant. On last Saturday morning, about
daylight, as: some railroad hands were going
to theirwork, thsdead jbodysnf Ar. Joha =. =.
Gayden, postmaster at Eastover. was found
near the track with bullet hole through and
through his neck, entering low down on the
left side and coming out just behind the
angle of the jaw on the 1igh. side. Mr.. Gay
den left Eastover in pursuit Il robbers who
had broken into the depot at that place. He
tried to get some one to accompany him from
there, bu. failing, got on freight train and
came over to- Camden crossing, where he got
off for the purpose of sgettipg the operator
there to- go back with himsto capture the
robbers which he felt sure he had left behind
him; but failing in this, bis second attempt
TO get help, be started walking-ior by this
time the train had left-with lantern 10 hand,
10 Wsdgeaelds; eas, p1fdrtunasdY for Ar.
Gayden. he was right in the midst of burglars,
ard by carrying lantern he placed himself
at great disadvantage. Five shots were
heard in quick succession, about o'clock,
a. M, and q linlelaer ono shot, the latter
the only one taking effect. Mr. Gayden had
two pistols on his person but neither had
been fred. His assailants evidently came as
far 80 Camden crossing, too, on the train, and
knowing that they were being pursued by Mr..
Gayden determined to kill him before he
reached WedM6eld. sasaSs 81
TheGorosesS jury haa bella several meet
ings and examined lots os witnesses, but have
not ye. adjourned. Will meet again at s
O'Clock this p. N. Suspicion so far impii-
Gates. and 10 fact enough evidence has been
adduced TO warrant the arrest of, three per
SONS: John Mcleod, colored, and Robert
Andrews and Robert Weeks, white-the lat
ter two from this county, the negro from all
about and notorious fellow. Andrews re-
mutation is also very bad. 1t is currently
reported, though not officially, that young
Weeks who gave himself up TO the Chief of
Police in Charleston, has made statement to
the effect that he had been arrested by Gay
den, that later Gayden was fred at 5 times
by Mcleod, who missed every time, and that
andrews little later fred one shot that
killed him. Everything is more or less un-
certain as yet, but would be sorry for the
chances Of any of them should they be caught
up with by the crowd in pursuit of them
now, for while the men are very cool they are
very determined.
Ar. Gayden having been raised in Rlcbland
County, was well known and highly thought
of there. He is the same Gayden who was
arraigned before the United States Court in
Charleston, IN 1880, for stuadng the ballot
box. The trial win be readily remembered
By every one-the three managers being tried
together were Bates, James and Gayden. The
following election Mr. Gsyden was elected ny
very complimentary vote, County Com
missioner for Ricbland He had been for
some time member of the Order of the
Knights of Pythias, and was at his death in
good standing with the lodge of which he
was member, Myrtle Lodge, No. 3, Colum-
bia. Am glad to state, also, in this conuec-
tion, that be was in the Endowment Rank for
two thousand dollars, which will be at least
little something for his wife and seven small
children, who survive him.
Our farmers are progressing finely With
their work. Many are planting corn, and
some are almost through
Miss Lucy Singleton commenced private
school on yesterday, with large number of
pupils.
Miss Lucille McKie, of Woodlawn, Edge
field County, is visiting friends in town.
Mss Fanny Mellett, of Privateer, is up here
visiting relatives.
Miss Emily Nesbit left asfew days ago for
herbome 10 Georgefoxn Connty.
Miss Bessie Ward, of Georgetown, who has
been visiting in town, went to Stateburg last
Saturday to pay her uncle, DR.. W. E. Spark
man, a visit.
News From st. Charles.
ST. CHARLES, March 8, 1894.
Monday, the 5th instant, made peaceful
inrasion in the MINER nart af Florence CouL-