Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-10-24
0rangeburg's County Treas
urer Waylaid and
Assassinated,
TREASURY FUNDS TAKEN.
Bloodhounds on the Trail of the
Dastardlv Assassins and
Robbers.
THE SAD DETAILS GIVEN,
Gov. Tillman Promptly Takes a
Hand in Trying to Capture
the Villains-HOt
on the Trail.
The Columbia State.

The Columbia State.
ORANeEBuRG, Oct. 2O.-Robert
Copes, county treasurer, was toully
murdered this afternoon about
eleven miles from the city while
on his way home from the collec-
ton of taxes in Edisto township
at J. w. smoak's place.
The place the murder occurred
was at Dry Swamp, near the resi-
dence of Andrew Myers. The dis
covery of the deed was made first
by Mr.. Andrew Myers, Mr.. Copes's
horse having gone up to the house
hitched to the buggy, and being
recognized by Mr.. Myers, who went
| in the direction the horse and
buggy had come, found the body
| living in the road at the point men-
toned, with three buckshot in the
right temple. Mr.. Myers at once
came to the city and notified the
coroner and the family and friends
of the deceased.
The deed was unquestionably for
robbery, Notwithstanding it was
done in open daylight. Mr.. Copes
had collected, 1t is thought, about
$500, none of which was found on
his person after the murder. The
treasurer WAS known to have had
with him pistol which was also
missing.
The community in which this
terrible deed was committed Is
tolerably well settled, but it being
Saturday the large majority OF
citizens who were not at the place
where the taxes were collected were
at the various towns where 1t Is
their habit to 60 nearly every Sat
urday to attend to business.
Immediately on receiving the
information in regard to the MUIR
der the coroner, sheriff, and one or
two hundred citizens went to the
place where the body was found.
Blood hounds of the penitentiary
were telegraphed for and the IN
formation now L-re is that they
will arrive here by special train at
10 o'clock, when they will be taken
to the place of the murder. An
advance body of cautious men was
sent out early this afternoon to
prevent, if possible, passing over
the path made where the MUIR
derers very probably went in max
ing their escape. The bridges at
this city and at Rowesville, near
where the murder was committed,
are closely guarded.
The killing was certainly from
ambush and the place at which 1t
occurred gave better means OF es-
cape than any ON the route to the
city.
Mr.. Copes had frequently been
heard to say that he invariably
gave himself sufficient daylight to
make his return to the city IN, but
it seems that this did not deter the
lawless spirit that is so frequently
read of in these days.
The inquest was begun tonight
and adjourned over. Nothing will
be left undone to catch the MUIR
derers.
Intense excitement prevails. Mr..
Copes was a highly respected citi-
zen and the whole community Is
bent on avenging the deed. Lynch
ing is talked of on every side and
in fact, were it possible to visit
upon the murderers greater pun
ishmens than death by rope or shot
gun it would be meted out to them.
Mr.. Copes was about ffty-hve
years old and had held the office OF
treasurer two terms, from
1878 to 1892, when be resigned and
some time afterwards accepted an
appointment as inspector of post
offices and postal routes. He was
again appointed county treasurer
two years ago. He leaves wife
and five children-two sons who
are at the South Carolina College,
and three daughters, who are at
home. His death was a terrible
blow to his family, who have the
deepest sympathy of the people.
The body will not arrive here be-
'ore II o'clock tonight.
The News at Columbia.