The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-02-13
How g Ead Negro Escaped From
Deputy Sheriff Gaillard.
From the Daily Item, Feb. u

In the round of the city yesterday the
writer stopped at the Sheriff. office and made
INQUIRY of the accommodating Deputy Sheriff,
Mr.. J. E. Gaiilard, if there was any news for
The Item. He said not, everything was quiet,
verv quiet indeed. Yesterday afternoon,
however. when i, was too late to get any
thing 10 the paper the reporter got informa-
tion of a very excellent bit Of news that had
slipped Mr.. Gaillard's memory. A reminder,
however. wns all that be needed to recall the
entire slory to his mind. and he gave 1t all
away for the public benefit, like the obliging
public Office. it is.
On Tuesday Mr. Gaillard went out in the
Concord neighborhood to arrest one William
Gayins. colored, who has the reputation Of
being bae pegro Gavins was wanted for
hog stealing or some such Infringement OF the
law. and Mr. Gaillard was determined to
bring him back So when be reached the
vicinity where Gavins lived be secured the
assistance of Nessrs Jim Bruuson and Boyd
Yates to 60 with him as posse.
Gavins was found in 6eld with an old Spring
field rife in his hands, which he brought 10
ready rben Mr.. Gaillard told him to con-
slider himself under arrest. Gavins asked
what be was to be arrested for, but Mr. Gail
lard bad him covered with his pistol and Mr.
Bronson With double barrel shot gun. They
both odrered bin to drop the rifle. After a
little hesitation he oheyed, dropping the rlne
at his feet; but as Mr.. Gailard approached
him be made grab fer the rifle. Mr. Call
lard seized Gavins by the coat collar and put
bis foo, on the rife, thus preventing bin from
obtaining the weapon. The prisoner Jesked
loose from Mr. Gaillard and raa for the woods
q, the top Of his speed. Both MIR. Brunson
and Mr. Gailard fred at him, but the pris-
oser did Bot SHAKEN his speed in the slightest.
and apparently made safe escape
Unfortunately for him, however, he went
in the direction of Mr. R. C. Banding g house,
where Mr.. Gaillard had stopped few min
otes before, and as he ran around the stable
be was captured. 1t was then found that bis
back had heen well peppered with bird shot
from Mr. Brunson's gun, but he was other
wise unburt.
When Mr. Gaillard and his posse returned
10 Mr.. Bisnding's they found the prisoner,
and after hand.cufipg him they set out for
Town. But Mr. Gaillard troubles were not
epded by any means. Nor did Gavins belle
lis reputation for being bad negro. Just
ibis side of Mr.. Reames' place Gavins jump
ed from the buggy. hand-cufed as be was,
and made for the swamp. Mr.. Gaillaru hreo
a, him and jumped from the buggy in ppr-
suit. The pegro out ran bin, however, and
was soou lost TO sight in the thick under
growth Of the swamp. a diligent search was
roade for the fugitive, but the chase had to be
given up.
Last nigh. Mr. Gaillard searched the en-
tire country for the fugetive, but he could not
be found. II was learned, however, that
Gavins had succeeded in getting rid Of the
aand-cuffs and is at large somewhere in the
Concord country.
Nj. Gaillard showed grea, foreoearence
in not shooting Gacins when he presented
The rife at him, and i. is not surprising, when
subsequent Developments are taken into con,
sderation, that be rather regrets that he did
not shoot the negro at the start.
No trace has yet been found of Gavins who
escaped from Deputy Sheriff Gai!liard. He
probably left the country by the shortest
route as soon as he got rid Of the handouts.