The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-23
4 BEGGAR
BOY BUTCHERED.
Foul Double Crime Discover.
ed IN Greenville.
SOME SOLDIER SUSPECTED.
Special to The State.
~, 80 Waaz.

most foully murdered Thursday nigh
in the heart Of the town, and the
mutilsted body was not found unit
nearly % hours later, A more hor
rihle crime than murder had preceded
tue butchery of the boy, and tht
fend incarnate who did the deed il
unknown. "A long cash in the boy'l
stomach caused his death, and the
entrails were protruding from tht
body.
Weaver Smith was about 8 years
old, and wss a notorious begga1
around town, having 8 skilfullJ
worded story of distress. When las
seen BY cisizens he was at j. W
Riser'a sexton of the Springwooe
cemetery, Main street, by whom be
was given some food about O'Clock
Wednesday night From there be
went towards the First brigade camp
ON the same street. He secured
some money and food there, and
visited the Fourth New Jersey regi
ment last.
Late yesterday afternoon negro
woman discovered the boy lying
among the weeds on Elford street.
which is a side street, one block
north of the Confederate monument.
The boy was lying on the south side.
walk, which ie rarely used When
discovered, he lay on his face, and,
On being turned over, the cut in the
stomeh was revealed. The physician
found unmistakable evidence of a
more fendish crime committed before
death, and the boy was doubt!essly
killed to prevent its discovery.
Two New York soldiers coming
from camp to town Thursday night
heasd cries on Elford street, and,
approaching, found another soldier.
unknown to them, with boy, who,
the soldier claimed, had ioss his way.
TIE unknown soldiers command is
rot known, and the New York sol
diers left him standing near tine child.
It is believed the boy was Weaver
Smith and the soldier his assailant
and murderer.
The crime has aroused che great
lest indignation among citizens and
soldiers, and if the guilty man is
caught and proves to be a soldier,
his comrades will ,endevor to make
short work of him.
Coroner Wilbanks to-day impanell.
ed q Jury, with j. w. Riser as fore
man. They prepared strong paper
10 be presented to Gen. Davis, com
nanding the troops here, to the gov.
ernor, solicitor and city and county
authorities. for help in ferreting
out the crime. The city is asked to
employ an attorney, and. four of the
inry with the coroner. are appointed
acommittee to raise funds and secure
evidence.
The governor is asked for q re-
ward and 80 is the city council.
Paragraph ". reads /: "That as
the evidence given US By two sol.
diers leads to the suspicion that some
United sStates volunteer encamped
here is guilty of murder aud -,
we recommend chat the general in
command of the troops here offer a
reward for the arrest of the murderer,
and take such other steps as may
seem wise to him in ferreting out
the crime "
The jury adjourned to meet from
time to time to receive new evidence.
Chief Kennedy is using every en-.
deavor to apprehend the murderer,
aud various plans are being pursued.
Six regiments of soldiers are now
camped in Greenville, and the streets
sre thropged, They have given
considerable trouble in the last few
days, but strong provost guard is
now on, under command of Lieut.
Col Cots!e, Two Hundred and
First New York. Provost guards at
the dispensaries prevent soldiers
buying whiskey, and less drunken
ness is now seen The guard was
placed at request of the dispensers,
who did not think sales to soldiers
would be prohibited thereby.
JIM WILLIAMS CONVICTED
James B. Williams was to-day con-
vicsed of murder. The trial began
Thursday morning. Much evidence
vas taken and FIVE speeches made, Sol
ici,er Ansel and F. B. MeBee for the
State aud B M. Shuman, j, A. Moon
ey and A. r. Sloan for the defense:
On August I'd last Williams and
Charlie Potts emptied their pistols at
each other on Washington street and
Potts vas bit, dying several days later.
Tbey ouarreled ovee bottle OF beer.