The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-02
TRAGEDY :!
Leon J. Williams Kills T.. D
and j. V. White at Church.

Special to The State.
Troy, Nov. 30.-The usually quie,
community Of Liberty Hill, 10 Eige-
feld county. was terribly shocked on
Sunday afternoon when the news spread
that Mr.. Leon j. Williams had shot
and killed Messre. L. D. aud j. V.
White. brothers.
The particulars leading to the killing
date back to the election iu 1924. Mr.
J Williams vas then candidate for the
legislature and reports we're circulated
detrimental to his character. Mr.. VIII.
kams vas Informed that Mr.. L D..
White was responsible for these reports,
sbue matters were kept quiet till the
canvass of 1896. wbeo Mr.. White was
! candidate for the legislature.
a short while before the election let
sers very damaging to Mr.. White were
received by different parties in the
county BY chance one of the letters
! fell into Whites bands. aud be saw
that Mr.. Williams vas the author.
The contents of the letter was of such
/ ) nature that Mr.. White thought a re-
sracsion aud apology necessary aud ne
go stated to some of his friends. Friends
os both parties then went to work to
try TO ameliorate matters and it vas
thought that the differences we're par
tally settled or SO much SO that trou-
BE wauld be avoided. but it seems that
this was not to the satisfaction of Mr.
White, who champioued his
brothers. cause, and kept the matter
agisated.
The union meeting at Bethany
church yesterday was an occasion when
the surrounding country turned out en-
nasse AID it was the first time the prio-
ciipals in the tragedy bad met Just
after services Mr. j. Y. White approach
ed several gentlemen aud told them that
he expected to kave conversation WITH
Mr.. Williams and would like them to
be present, tut was he told that it was
neither the time uor place and to let it
a!cae. aud 20 more was thought Of it
AL except few had left the grounds.
and Mr. Williams, 10 company With
HE mother. vas drifting of 10 bis
buggy, when be was called by J V
White aud told that he would like to
see him. Mr.. Williams got out Of his
buggy and went to where j. V White
Aid Z D White. P B. Callison aud
W 81. Yeidell were standing When
.J.V. White said something about .he
letters that bad been written duriug
the las. canvass. Mr.. Williams replied
that be thought the matter had been
settled aud If they we're DOS satisfied
they would have to act. White then
cnrsed him and shook bis fss in VIII.
li.am,'s face. whereupon the latter knock
ed bim down.
When VIII arose be had bis pistol
10 ais hand and before any ooe could
interfere. williams drew aud fred.
shooting bis antagonist through the
heart. killing him instantly.
D White thee began cutting Will
l;ams about the head and face when be
turned bis gun and shot the second
White twce 10 the stomach and 10 each
arm.
Mr.. White fingered Till 4 o'clock
this morning when be died; he had a
p;sto! 10 his pocket but did net draw it
at all. He stated before bis death that
he could have killed Mr. Williams nae
he cared to. Mr.. Williams received a
severe cot across the temple and it vas
though. that be would bleed TO death
before physician could reach him. bat
be is now resting we'll and considered
out Of danger.
i He is an ex-member Of the legisla-
ture aud is now member Of the State
dispeosary board Of control. He Is
we'll knowu 10 many parts of the State
and has hosts of taieDds.
The bodies of the dead men bad not
been removed from the church this
morning. Their sad deaths are doubly
deplorable as each leaves wife sod
children entirely dependent upon them
for support. Both were Masous aud
will be buried tomorrow at Bethany,
the scene of the difficulty, by the
Mccormick lodge.