Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-11-17
The TURNER TRAGEDY.
Constable Howie Makes Statement In
Regard to the Matter.

Regard To the Matter.
Constable Howie, who was present
at the shooting of Turner, aud who
is to be tried as an accessory, has
made the following statement to the
Spartanburg Herald {:
Estate Detective Newbold was Or
dered here by the governor several
days ago, and proceeded with a wagon
and mules and employed three men,
LaFar, McCaskill and myself. The
reason of this, was that there have
been many complaints recently of
whisky being sold in this county,
Greenville and Pickens counties. We
were camping out and driving up into
two squads, LaFar and McCaskill
guarding the road from Whitney, sta
toned near the standpipe, Newbold
and myself were up on the Howard.
Gap road at the colored church. Tues
day night We were in the church
building. Later on, about 4 o'clock in
the morning, it grew cold and we
made fire near the roadside. New
bold was lying near the fire warming
his feet when the buggy came by.
The road there is sandy and the
buggy was passing by when we dis
covered it. Newbold told me to run
around and see who it was. l ran out
and soon saw that there was nothing
suspicious, and heard no rattling of
tin cans in the buggy, which is gene.
rally a sign of whisky being carried
along, and let the vehicle proceed
along, and went back to the fire.
"By this time Newbold had put on
his shoes and came out to the roadside
and told me to run and overtake the
buggy, which was so yards in front,
then. 1 ran down the road to the rear
of the buggy and looked back for New
bold but couldn't see him thought
he had gone back to the camp fire.
went back to the fire myself. Just be-
fore reaching the camping spot heard
Newbold shout, 'hold up, l am state
officer and want to search your buggy;
again be shouted 'whoan Then fol-
lowed two pistol shots in rapid sue
cussion.
"After the shooting he called to me
to come on. l walked down the road
300 yards to where the buggy was. l
was tired and run down and walked
all the way. When 1 reached the
buggy he was at the other side and
asked what was the matter with the
old man, and if he was drunk. Tried
to get him to talk but he would not.
The boy who was driving said the old
man was not drinking. Newbold
struck match and said the old man
was shot. He was very much grieved
over the fact, and asked who the old
man was. The boy told him it was
Mr.. ]. H. Turner. Newbold started to
get into the buggy to take the wound
ell man to a doctor; but had to 20
back to the church and get his over
coat. 1 told Newbold that | would
lake the man to doctor, and then
FASTENED to get in the buggy, let the
boy sit in my lap and be drove US to
his city and to DR.. Deans residence.
The doctor soon came out, examined
he man and said that he was dead.
Mr.. Turner never spoke after he was
shot, but muaned very painfully sever
Al times.
81 then drove hack to the home of
Mr.. Turner and broke the sad news to
lis people as best I could. We then
lifted the body in the house and l left
he house at daylight. came back
o where the wagon, McCaskill and
LaFar were near the waterworks about
our and half miles from the city.
Found Newbold there. He and Nc
Jaskill then drove off in buggy. [