The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-01-13

Various and Nsundry rumors have been
aloat conceroing the accounts given by Rob
Wilson, who was with Simon Cooper Thurs
daY after he killed the Wilson's apd Thurs
day night at Jake Dargan's bouse. and Isaac
Boyle, who was present when the murders
were committed and drove Cooper to within
a shcrt distance of this place. In order that
the readers Of this paper aud the public gen
orally may have the exact facts, the writer
visited the Jail this morning iu company with
Sheriff Pierson and wrote down the state
ments Of the two negroes, just as they made
them. They were willing to talk and
told their stories with very little hesitation,
contradicting themselves only once or twice
in respect to minor points. They are both
still thoroughly scared and declare that they
are certain Cooper would have killed them
bad they refused to stay with him and do
exactly as be ordered.
Their statements are as follows:
Robert Wilson: SCI was at home on Mr..
Peter Thomas place, about three and hall
miles from the house of Wesley Wilson, and
was eating breakfast when Simon Cooper
passed in buggy with the boy Isaac Boyle.
He sent Stephen Sineletary to tell me to come
there, he wanted to see me. went out with
out my hat, but Sibgletsry told me 70 20
back aud ge. my hat. Cooper was about
quarter of mile down the road. When
got TO Cooper be said he waited me 70 60
with bin. told him my leg was hurt and
could not 90. He said You have got to &c
and pointed rife at me. got on the back
of the buggy. We came pass the brick yard
nearly to Turkey Creek Cooper and got
ont of the buggy and went into the woods
Cooper told the boy to stay there until he
came back, that he wanted him to go to town
to buy him some clothes. We steid IN the
woods until dark aud when we came back
the Boyle boy had gone. Cooper would no.
le, ne lease he threatened to go back to
nv house if lodged him. We then wen
around town BY the factory and went across
the edge of town and got into the public road
near place where some work was being done
on the road. We then went on to Jake Oar
ean's. getting there about II o'clock
Cooper said he was tired and go
in the bed. 6rst compelling me te
rub his leg where be had beer
shot. with spirits ,urpentiue. He tolc
me to sit up and watch. Jake Dargan''
wife aud sat up by the 6re. Late 10 th'
night Cooper sent Jake Dargan to John Oar
| gan mouse TOT OlW " Coue W H'o', OooP1'
About o'clock Cooper woke up and told M
could 20, as it was nearly time for JAKE
Darean to come back with John. He asked
me il had any money to pay my way t.
Mayesville. told him had no money. H'
gave me quarter aud came to Sumter ant
went 10 Mayesvlle on the o'clock train
When got to Mayesville l told Jim Viii
liams, colored, where had been and where
left Cooper. I went on home, and soon afte
Mr.. Elliott Keels and Mr. Jim Thames rod
up and told them where Cooper was -,
Cooper did not say anything about Kill
ing the Wilson's, and did ret know of i
uotil got to Mayesville yesterday morning
when Williams told me. Cooper told m
that be wap,ed to 90 to bis brother, Joh'
Darean, and stay with him until be coult
get out Of the State.
"Cooper asked me if | was at Magnoilat
the Emancipation celebration and saw To-
shooting. told him wes. He asked wh'
the people said killed Graut Davis ! 'oit
him they said be (Cooper) killed him
| Cooper did not deny killing Davis"
When questioned, Bob Wilson positlVel!
asserted that be did not come into to"l
Thursday and buy suit of clothes, satche
and too nnarts Of vhiskey for Cooper. h