The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-10-10
The Dead Unknown.

Saturday morning last, Coroner W. H
Commander WAS notified ty Mr. }. Z. Chan
dler that AN unknown white man had beer
found 10 an unconscious CONDITION ABOUT one
mile from the brick yard and three mile;
from this city Mr.. Chandler first telephoned
to town and in addition sent man on q
bicycle with the following note:
SUMTER, S. c., Nov. 6, "a.
Mr. W. H. Commander:
DEAR S1R: have to report man IN a
dying condition alongside of the R. R. track
about one mile below the Brick Yard and
about three miles from the City. 1t is re-
ported me that he has been lying in the
present condition for the last three days,
having nothing done for him until this
morning went to where he was lying and
with aid of two darkies took him from the
ground and had him put in au clubhouse on
NV mothers place. / believe be
was dying when left him and by now fear
be is quite dead. If you can do anything
for him. in case he still lives, | think it
should be done at once.
Yours truly, }. q. CHANDLER.
Coroner Commander secured Dr.. Mood aud
weutfo where the man was placed by Mr.
Chandler: he was unablet0 speak and too
far gone for medical attention to be of any
avail.He died that afternoon without re-
gainiaeconsciousness.
The Coroner empanelled jury Of inquest
on Sunday, which, after viewing the body
and hearing the annexed evidence rendered
a verdict: ''That the deceased came to his
death from fever aud exposure -
Thesevidence vas as follows:
]. C.Chandler said Yesterday morning,
Oct. 9Th, about o'clock Mr.. j. R. Dixon
reported a man lying on the railroad bank in
3 dFiuecondition. At half past seven got
to Waem he was lying. found him in 9 e
speethFess condition got assistance and
put him in the house and did all ! could to
relieve him, but found him unable to take
any stimulant at all. Could find
nothing ON his person to lead to his identi6-
catioa. e 8 x s. *
= Willie Moor aaids: first saw. the deceased
on Friday night Oct. 9Th. He was ly1ngson
the ground near the railroad track. .Dld:not
know who he was, did mol ask his aame.
Next saw him Saturday morning.
J. R. Dixon said: Saw the deceased night
before last lying on the ground nearsthes W:
C. & A. R. R. track. He was very sick. |
asked him If he had fever. He said he had
something worse than fever, but did not say
what it was. ! asked him where he was
from. He said Ohio. He spoke Euglish.
made an effort TO have him moved, but could
get no help and left him there. told Mr..
Gayle to notify the Coroner as he was going
to town that night. Mr. Gayle reported the
matter to Sheriff Sanders about 10 o'clock
Friday night instead of Coroner Commander.
Dr.. J. A. Mood said: First saw deceased
on yesterday morning, 9Th instant. Found
him in dying condition. There were no
marks of violence on his body. He was
suffering from congestion of the brain,
probably caused by maiarial poison. 1t is
likely that in his wanderings for the past few
weeks in the swampy regions of the country,
sleeping on the ground and with little food,
that he contracted high grade of congestive
fever, that without any attention resulted IL
his death This, at any rate, is the most
probable theory.
So much space.is given to this matter, lu
order to clear away the erroneous reports pre-
viousy published. Only one white man, 80
far as known, saw the man lying on the
ground and suffered him to remain without
relief. Had his condition been reported to
any one OF thousand men in this city, bis
suferings would have been relieved at once,
as far as was possible. This community
must not be condemned on account of one
mans heediessness.