The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-02-19
Slain With One Blow.
A Twelve Year Old Lad Kills
A Playmate.

Wheu a l2-year old lads entire life
is blighted and saddeued by having
taken the life of human being, that
lad is an object of pity and sympathy.
Yesterday, however, brought such an
event into the life Of little 12-year old
James Miller, the sou of humble pa
rents, living in the lower portion of the
city. The a9air is most unfortunate
one 10 every respect, for l5.year old
boy was struck over the heart with
small piece of iron aud that organ
stopped forever. The killing caused
the greatest excitement imaginable in
the pelghborbood of the Congaree
mills and much strong feeling exists
among the people of that section of
Columbia.
It will be impossible fer anyone to
secure a truthful aud reliable version Of
the killing until the facts are clearly
brought out at the coroner's inquest
TO day, which is to be held in the court
house at II o'clock.
A representative of The State visited
the guard house during the afternoon,
and was kindly allowed to talk with the
lad who did the killing, and his story
of the affair is given 10 full below. He
idthat he was the 12-year old son of
and Mrs. J. H. Miller. He said
that be worked 10 the Congaree mills
along with several sisters and brothers,
who supported tbeie parents. A day
or two ago. he said, he was playing
iu company with several little fellows
in the factory yards, when two
Of them gave him occasion to slap their
faces. He did so slightly and thought
nothing Of the matter afterwards. until
George Demates. l5.year old boy,
approached him and intimated that he
intended to punish him for slapping the
little fellows. He replied that if Dem
ates was man enough to punish him, be
was able to receive it, whereupon Dem
ates replied that be would do SO at II
O'Clock yesterday, when the factory
bands discontinued work for the dinner
hour. Demates, according to young
Miller, threatened to cut his throat. AT
noon yesterday Miller walked out of
the factory aud met Demates. who
asked him if be was ready to receive
his punishment. With Demates were
several SMALL boys. one of whom had a
knife. These young fellows started to-
ward Miller who ran, and at the corner
Of the factory he picked up stout iron
roller resembling very closely dumb
bell. He says be did not use this roll
er then, but continued running until he
had nearly reached home. 10 the mead
while Demates was following him aud
several times threw brickbats, none,
however, striking him. When Miller
got nearly home be turped aud threw
the roller at Damates. The heavy iron
weight struck the boy just over the
heart and he fell to the ground as if
killed. Miller says the boy ran fully
% yards before falling.
Mrs. Lizzie Abbltt, sister Of young
Demates, gives different version of
the killing. She did BOT see the first
part of the affair, but says that when
she saw Miller coming be had two roll
crs in bis hand. When he reached
the corner Of the mill be threw one
of them at his pursuer, without effect
Demates followed him, still uuarmed,
and when Miller had almost reached
home be threw the other with great
force, aud struck the young boy, who
Immediately fell to the ground, and
before his mother could reach him to
render any assistance within her power
be died. She said that young Miller
had several associates with him at the
time, and that they had threatened to
whip Demates. Miller, she said, came
from Charleston only week ago, and
the two families lived directly opposite
each other
DR.. Robert D. Earle happened to be
visiting a patient in the vicinity at the
time of the killing and be was immedi-
ately summoned to attend the boy. The
physician, after a careful examination,
said that death came as result Of par
alysis of the heart, caused by the thnd
of the heavy weight. The boys body
contained no evidence of bruise what
ever.
It was impossible to secure jury for
the coroner's inquest yesterday, and it
was postponed until to-day at l2 o'clock,
when it will be held 10 the court house
When young Miller was seen at the
guard house yesterday afternoon he was
lying on the floor OF his cell, and at
the summons of the police, be came to
his barred doors and talked to the re-
porter regarding the case in cool and
calm manner. He did not seem at all
friohtened. When the policemen came