The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-25
A Bad Negro Killed.

Some three OF four weeks ago negro man
made his appearance in the Shiloh section,
aud did DOT take long to get the lay OF the
land and begin his deviiment
He was idedti6ed as boy. who was raised
about eighteen miles below Shiloh and bad
been knowo by the name Of McCrea before
going to Georgia six or eight years ago. On
his return he bad two names-Tom Burgess
and Toney Epps On last Tuesday he robbed
the house of William Mcdonald, of Claren-
don, Tuesday he robbed the house of negro
woman, and Thursday he appeared in Mayes-
Vile and in the broad daylight broke into the
house of Dir. w. J. Mcleod, Jr., and stole
forty or City dollars, a pistol, lot CLOTH
ing and some other articles.
He went towards Alderman's and on Fri
day Constable F. s. Player hunted him in
that section with warrant, but failed TO find
him. Saturday be was in the ueighborhood
of Scottsville. and Messrs. w. A. Cooper and
Frank McElveen, who were after him came
up with him on the road and arrested him.
While searching his bundle, Burgess stood
quietly by, pretending to submit to the
arrest. Mr. Cooper made the search and Mr.
McElveen kept his eye on the prisoner.
Burgess began to scratch himselfaud suddenly
whipped out pistol and fired point blank at
Mr.. McElveen, who saved his life by lodging.
The ball passed within few inches of his neck.
Burgess made break followed by three or
four shots from Mr. Cooper's pistol, none of
which hit the mark. Later in the day Ar.
Wtherspoon Cooper attempted to arrest
Burgess, shooting at him several times with
out effect.
Saturday night Mr.. F. S. Player was in.
formed that Burgess was hiding in negro's
house near Shiloh. He got Messrs. Willie
Odom, Rams Welch and S. J. Minis and
several negroes to accompany him and went
at once to make the arrest. de found hls
man at the house of Daniel Lennon, where
be WAS located by some negroes. when the
party arrived within fifty yards of the house
Messrs. Minis and Oiom refused to proceed,
aud Odom turued his gun over to Mr.. Player,
who Was armed only with revolver.
Nr. Player walked up on one side OF the
door aud Dir. Welch on the other, Mr.. Player
covered negro man be saw just in front OF
the door and ordered him to throw up bis
bands. The negro obeyed promptly but be
was not Burgess, and the mistake came near
costing Ar. Player his life. Burgess vas in
the corner of the house behind table and
before Mr. Player could bring bis gun around
to cover him, Burgess shot NJ DIM, toe call
burying itself in the door-facing and missing
him not more than few inches.
Ar. Player then fred one barrel OF bis
quo. q part of the load taking effect in Bur-
CESS side, the rest struck the table leg.
Burgess then attempted to make bis escape
through the back door, but that was locked
and when be started TO jump out Of the win
dow Mr. Player was there to meet him.
Burgess shot again and ran back to the front
door. AS he dashed out into the darkness Mr.
PLAYER got to the corner of the house and
Burgess SHOT again and then Mr. Player let
him have it With the other barrel, bringing
him down with hole in bis back.
1t was thought that Burgess would die i'm
mediately, but be did not, 80 he was brought
here on Monday night and placed in Jail. He
is desperately wounded and there is not much
hone of recovery.