The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-10-25
Blood Of a Brother
Shed in Charleston.
n. T. Pittman Of Gourdin's,
S. c., Killed by a. J.
Plttman.
Special to The State.


Special to The State.
Charleston. Oct. 18-N. 7. Pitt
man. we'll to do and prominent
merchao: of Gourdin's Station, was
shot TO death tois afternooc by his
brother. A. j. Pittmao. Tie KILN g
occurred about l O'Clock, 10 the read
iug room of the Hotel Calhoun, which
is io tie rear OF the Office
The trouble that led 40 to the trag-
edy is nor fully known, but from what
was learned shortly after the killing it
is supposed that either mouey matters
or an unpleasant family affair was the
cause that led to toe shooting.
There we're no eye witness to the
shooting. and just what took place in
the reading room between the dead
man and his brother cannot De stated.
They were the only occupants Of sbe
room and had been for some little time.
having gone there, presumably, to dis
cuss business matters.
The curtains of the reading room,
which shut out the view from the office,
were partly drawn, though the two men
could be seen. sitting down in chairs,
talking together. bus their presence 10
toe room attracted 90 atteotion What
ever. and their conversation wss held
10 an ordinary conversational tone aud
did DOT foreteii Of the tragedy that took
place
Suddenly the attention OF Mr.. Guy
A Stoner, the manage. of the hotel
vas attracted by the report Of pistol,
followed IN quick succession by four more
shous, al of which cane from the
writing room
Manager Stooer suroed Pistman over
to Police Officer L1by, who sent him
to the station house
Mr.. Pittman did not appear to be
much excited, but for mao who had
just killed his brother. was remarkably
cool and collected The only state
meut that be would make was tha. be
did not care to know the result that
be did it 10 self defeose
The pistol with which be fred the
fatal shots was new Smith & Wesson,
80 calibre All the shells 10 the wea
pen had been discharged.
Corooer Rivers and Deputy Coroner
Wariug we're notified and they took
charge of the body at ouce The dead
man was found sitting in chair. be
having been removed by some one from
the floor, where be fell after being shot,
A has.y examination was made of bis
body, and it was found that he had
been shot il the back, near the right
side, and under his arm 1t is sup
posed that when be received the drs'
ball be threw up MS arms to protect
himself
Ga his person was found a heavy
gold watch. telegram from A. J
Pittmau to N. P Pi,smap, sent from
Summerville yesterday, saying that be
would meet him today at the Calhoun
hotel between 9 aud 10 O'Clock, severa
letters, a large sum of money aud an
uusigoed note for $1,000, payable to
himself. These the coroner took charge
OF The inquest will be held tomorrow
and i, is expected that there will be
some important Developments
The deceased arrived in the city las
night from Gourdio's, accompanied by
Mr.. J. G Graham They slept togeth
er last night aod we're together early
this morning Mr. Graham stated this
morning that he knew about the i.ou-
b!e that existed betweeo the deceased
aod his brother. but had % idea II
would terminate fatally or he would not
save left them together he said ii
WAS family affair. but refused to state
vbas j; was. saving ,ha, it was told Z
h:a ia confidence
ile dead mat was about 60 years
a:a ard weii-kno~n IL Cna7iestoa.
Il is man of wealth He leaves a
wife and ten children
hlr. a ] P,',nao. vao dIa tie
ifii;;iiiag Is aboa: so Yeas Ct age e.
oue ';me ne vas engaged IL the cot; q
tusiress 90 Verduc is.a-e he ncw
li7es 10 Suc.9ervii!e
The family of Mir y t PittGan
have beea uo:lieA OF his death
No weapon vas fouad or the cead
man On one Of tee writing tables
was found small. oearI-handled knife
There was no evidence of q struggle
aaviog taken place The ink stands
were IN place. and the chairs aud tables
we're undis:urbed, which would DOT
have been had there been scrimmage.
Up to few years ago n T Pittman
and A Pittmao were engaged in the
cotton aud naval stores business under