The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-06-05
Workman, the Noted Ex-
Constable, Shot to Death.
Columhia Sta:e, June :.

Columhia Sta:e, June 2.
It was about l O'Clock yesterday
when Mr.. Joha T. Duncan. the chief
clerk III the Office Of the Secretary Of
State. received telegram from bis
brother, Sam NJ. Duncan. who is a
member Of the State liquor constabu-
larry force at Clinton, saying: "Shot
Workman 10 self-defense; got shot
twice in hips" 1t being known that
Workman was the former chief Of the
force stationed 10 the up-country, q
desperate man, the man who con-
Quoted the raids which caused SO much
trouble in Greenville during Governor
Tilluans administration, the wires
were at once set to work. 1t WAS soon
ascertained that Workman had, like
many others Of the original constabu.
larry force. joined the great majority,
several bullets having ended his
earthly career. And, as will be seen
below, yesterday was bloody day all
round for the constables; strange to
say, oOly they themselves drawing
blood
Duncan, the man who did the killing
is thirty years of age and is a native
of Newberry county. Ee has a wife
and four children. There has been bad
blood between himself and Workman
for long time. Workman was for
merly the chief Of the force stationed
in the up-country and Duncan worked
with him. When the force was re-or-
ganized about three months ago, Chief
Faut, it seems, had reason to believe
that Workman had sold out to the
liquor men in Greenville and found
that the other men could only raid Ger
tain parties by acting contrary to
Workman's instructions.
Workman thought that Duncan had
been the cause of his removal Dun
can. it appears, never had any use for
him and went so far as to tell him what
be thought Of him.
Yesterday morning, according TO all
accounts received by The State and
others, John Workman and Duncan
met Oh the streets of Clinton. Work
man brought up the matter of the old
trouble and charged Duncan with hav-
ing been the cause of bis removal, and
the shooting followed. The States
correspondent says: workman first
hit Duncan and shot him twice, and
then Duncan drew his pistol and shot
Workman three times, each ball tax
ing effect. The coroner's verdict was
that Workman came to his death by
gunshot wounds at the hands of S. NJ
Duncan. Eye witnesses say that it
was clearly case Of self-defeuse. Dun
can wired Sheriff McCravy to come for
him."
Workman lived, it is said, about two
hours after be was shot, although ne
WIS shot through the lungs aud head.
Duncan has two pretty bad wounds,
but Drs. W. Fl. and J. w. Young, who
dressed them. and are attending him,
say be will recover. MIR. Duncan e
brother went to Clinton in the after
Doou to see that ne is properly cared fol
medically and otherwise.
ANOTHER CONSTABLE SHOT.
But this was not the only constable
shot yesterday. The other affair was
an accidental shooting. Constablet
Speed, Gardner and Martin were in the
basement at the State Capitol yester.
day morning about 8 o'clock. While
they were talking, Martin let his pistol
drop on the marble floor and it was
discharged. TIE bullet cut through
Constable Speeds trousers near the
ankle and entered the left leg of Con.
stable Martin, going through Just
above the knee. The wounded con-
stable was taken to DR.. Kendall's Of
fee and that physician dressed the
wound. 1t is not serious. Had the
bullet passed half an inch nearer in,
the main artery would have been sev.
cred aud the man would have bled to
death before aid could have reached
him