The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-03
THE PINCKNEY SHOOTING.
What the Charleston News and
Courier Says About 1t.

sag AoOAN AAa
The Morning News has published the
Geographic accounts of the shooting of
Thomas Pinckney, Jr., In Charleston last
Saturday night, and the announcement of
his death. The following is from the
Charleston News and Courier, Feb. q:
There is a mystery surrounding the
murderous assault made on Mr. Thomas
Pinckney, Jr., in Pitt street late Saturday
night, and up to last night the police and
the detectives had not found a single clew
on which to work. Mr.. Pinckney is at the
Riverside Infirmary in a serious condi-
ton. Late reports received last night in
dicated that he was resting well, though
his wounds are serious. No statement
could be had from him yesterday. Just
after being shot Mr.. Pinckney said that
two negroes had stopped him and ordered
him to hold up hts hands. He refused,
and when they started at him he fought
them with an umbrella. Then one of the
negroes drew a pistol and fired three
times, every ball taking effect. If robbery
was the motive the negroes were fright
ened away, for nothing belonging to Mr..
Pinckney was missing. 1t is true that his
hat was lost, but it is thought that this
was picked up by some one after the
crowd which gathered moved away.
Mr.. Arthur Barnwell, Jr, who was call
ing at Mrs. Bardins, at the corner of Pitt
and Calhoun streets Saturday night, gave
a fun and free statement to Chief Boyle
last night about what he knew of the
shooting. Mr.. Pinckney was at Mrs Bar
din's, and left there about II 80 o'clock,
alone. A few minutes after he left the
house the report of the pistol was heard,
and Mr.. Barnwell says he rushed out of
the house to see what was up. He says
Mrs. Bardin's young son, who is about IS
years of age, ran out ahead of him and
when they reached Bethel Church they
found Mr. Pinckney sitting on the side
walk The first thing MIR. Pinckney said
was that he had been shot by two negroes,
who wanted to rob him. The shooting
created a great stir at the time, and while
some of the men who gathered went to
hunt a physician, others went to tele-
phone and called for the hospital ambu-
lance. Mr. Pinckney was carried to the
Bardin residence, and later removed to
the Riverside Infirmary. On the way to
the infirmary he repeated to Mr.. Barnwell
that negroes had tried to rob him, and
only shot when he refused to throw up
his hands.
A young man named Mr.. Minor, VINO
lives in Pitt street, just south of Calhoun,
arrived on the scene of the shooting soon
after Mr.. Bardin and Mr.. Barnwell. He
had a story for the detectives. Mr.. Minor
said that he was walking home some time
between Il 80 and midnight, and when he
passed the corner of Glebe and George
streets two negroes followed him. They
walked so close that he turned once or
twice to watch them. and was bit doubt
full as to their meaning. When Mr.. Minor
turned into his gate one of the negroes
remarked: "Oh, that amt him; come on"
The men went on down the street, and
Mr.. Minor went into his house. Two
minutes later he heard the firing and
hurried out. As he reached the door he
saw two negroes, whom he thought to be
those who followed him, running down
Pitt street toward Bull. They turned west
and disappeared. Another gentleman,
however, who was walking through Pitt
street toward Calhoun, did not see the
men.
Chief Boyle was notified OF the shooting
as soon as a report was made at the sta
ton house He put the entire detective
force at work Immediately. Chief Miller,
John Hogan, James Hogan and Brennan
worked from midnight and all of yester-
day, but they were still al sea last night.
Chief Boyle went to work himself and IN
terViewed everybody from whom he
thought any clews could be obtained. he
had a long conference last night with Mr..
Barnwell but just now the matter con-
fronting him is TO find the negroes who did
the shooting. Hunting two stray negroes
however, is like searching the hay stack
for the needle. Seven negroes were ar
rested by the detectives at o'clock yes
terday morning and lodged at the station
house. They were taken in on suspicion
but were released by the chief last night,
as Il was apparent that they were not inn
plicated. Chief Detective Miller was up
ali Friday night on a case and he worked
stedily all OF Saturday night, yesterday
and last night with the other members of
the force.
Chief Boyle says that the police force
can hardly be blamed for the shooting of
Mr.. Pinckney in view Of the cold hard
facts. He hasn't men sufficient to cover
the city and there was no officer around
the corner of Pitt and Calhoun streets at
midnight Saturday, because there was no
man to send 10 that corner. He has urged
Council repea tedly to increase the force,
but the fact Is that his report has been
ignored. His last annual report, which
was submitted TO Council and read at
meeting some weeks since, was ordered
printed In the Year Book and no action
whatever has been taken on the susges-