The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-10-24
Murdered For Money.

ORANGEDURG, OCTOBER U.-N eWS
reached here about O'Clock this after
noon that County Treasurer Robert
Copes had been waylaid, killed and rob-
bed at point where Dry Swamp crosses
the Cannon Bridge road, about twelve
miles below Orangeburg.
Treasurer Copes has been on his tour
through the county collecting taxes dur
ing the past two weeks. To-day he col
lected at Jacob Smoak's place and was re-
turning home when the dastardly decd
was committed.
Mr.. Andrew Meyers, who lives just one
mile from the scene Of the murder, saw a
horse and buggy without drivers passing
his place. He imm ediately went down
the road in search of the owner, when he
discovered the body of Mr.. Copes, dying,
shot through the head, by the side of the
road. Whoever com mmitted the deed had
disappeared with the satchel containing
the tax money collected during the day.
The books and papers were scattered
about in the road. Mr.. Meyers immedi-
ately came to Orangeburg and gave the
alarm.
Numerous posses were Immediately
organized and are now in search of the
murderers. Ex-Sheriff A. M. Salley is
in charge of the pursuers. Sheriff Dukes
has telegraphed to all railroad stations in
reach to be on the lookout for suspicious
characters, and everything is being done
to run down the assassins.
There is as yet no clue to the murder
ers.
Governor Tilsman has offered $500 re-
ward for their capture. A special train
will come down at $50 from Colum bia
with bloodhounds to be used in running
down the murderers. Upon their arrival
special posse, under orders from the
sheriff, will start for the scene of the
murder. The amount of money missing
will hardly exceed 5000.
Everything Isl excitement in Orange
burg tonight, as Mr.. Copes was exceed
ingly popular among all classes and FAC.
tions. This is the most dastardly and
cowardly murder that has been commit
ted in the history of Orangeburg County.
Coroner D. E. Dukes left at once for the
scene to view the body. He Is now
in possession of the body and will
bring it to town some time during the
night.
TOWNSVILLE, October 20.-Detective
Holland is here and is going now to the
scene of the murder, and will do all In
his power to catch the murderer or MUIR
derers. No clue as yet.
OEANaEBURa, Ootober 2O-Later in
formation from the scene of the Copes
murder as given by reliable parties who
have examined theHbody report that Mr.
Copes was shot twice by two parties who
we're in ambush from the side Of the
road. Ten buckshot entered his head.
Two empty shells were found near the
body. The surrounding ground indl-
Gates that the assassins were lying IN
wait for Mr.. Copes for some time before
his arrival. The tracks of the murderers
have been found in an old field near by
and staked off to await the arrival Of the
bloodhounds. The robbers failed to get
any great amount of money. Five hum
dred and fifty-six dollars were found IN
Mr.. Copes' pockets. The satehel IN
which he usually carried his money. and
which liz missing contained only about
fifty or seventy five dollars. The body
is expected to be brought In about II
O'Clock.
The special from Columbia has just ar
rived with the bloodhounds and their
manager. They have left for the ground
in charge ofa special posse under COM
mand Of the sheriff. The indications are
that the criminals will soon be captured.
IF they are, in view Of the present ex-
citement, they will hardly be brought to
jail.
ORANaEBURa, October 2l.--As yet
nothing has transpired to fix the identi-
ty of tho Copes murderers. Every effort
has been made to apprehend them, but
without success. The bloodhounds came
down on special train last night from
the State farm in charge of Captain Allen,
of the Penitentiary Guard. They. reach
ed the scene of the tragedy about 2
O'Clock and were put on the trail. AT
first it seemed that the dogs were going
to accomplish something, but they soon
lost the trail. The trail was entirely too
cold to hope for much from the blood
hounds. Armed squads of men were
riding in all directions throughout the
entire night. Every bridge crossing
the Edisto River was guarded. Sheriff
Dukes as soon as the news arrived TOOK
every precaution to prevent the escape
of the murderers.-Special to Neaos and
Go,,f.ier