The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-05-10

Would say that the side was exposed to
the fire on account of the arm not being
injured; his hand might have been be-
hind him, held in horizontal or vertical
position.
Aaron Rice: Examined the pistol
which picked up after l got there and
before Mr.. Bellin ger was moved. The
pistol was near Mr.. Bellinsers hand.
Found Mr.. Bellinger between his front
gate and the Fitting School building.
The shooting was east of Mr.. Johnsons
gate. This pistol [eXamined by witness1
is in the same condition as when | found
it-four empty and one loaded shell.
Vernon Brabham: was sitting on
the steps of the Fitting School, facing the
girls boarding hall. Saw Mr.. Joe Brown
drive up in front of Mr. Johnson's house.
Mr. Johnson was coming out of his yard
with IA gun in his hand. Mr.. Willie Bel
linger was coming across the campus; as
he passed he spoke to me. Mr.. Johnson
was on the other side of Mr.. Brown. Mr.
Brown drove up about ten yards from Mr.
Johnson's gate Mr.. johnson was behind
the horse all the time until he saw Mr..
Bellinger, then he stepped out from be-
hind the horse Mr.. Bellinger pulled his
pistol. Mr.. johnson had gun in his
hand. stepped around the corner when
Mr.. Bellinger drew his pistol. | turned
nv head and started to walk off. Heard
two or three shots fired. Turned my
head and saw Mr.. Bellinger fall, then l
walked off. Charlie Free was over by
the girls boarding hall in a road cart. l
asked him to go for the doctor. He drove
down toward his home. l then walked
back to where Mr.. Bellinger was. There
was a crowd around him. When Mr..
Bellinger pulled his pistol | turned my
head and did not see the shooting.
could not tell whether it was pistol or
gun that was fired first. Don't know how
many shots were fired Mr. johnson had
the gun in his hand Mr.. johnson was
back of Mr.. Browns horse Saw Mr.
Bellinger fall. Heard two or three shots
after Mr.. Bellinger fell. l saw Mr.. John
son coming out of his yard. Mr.. John
son was fifteen or twenty yards from his
gate when the shooting took place.
John H. Moody: Was behind the house
when the shooting took place. Heard
the shots. Then went toward the front
Did not see anything. Saw Mr.. johnson
coming back to the house. Saw Mr.. Bel
linger lying down. Mr.. johnson was
crossing the road. Was about as far as
the back of the courthouse. Mr.. johnson
had a gun. Was in the back yard when
the shooting took place, and did not see
any of it. am thirteen years old.
WI. Taylor: Was at the boys board,
ing hall. Heard four or Ave shots fired
There was twenty or thirty seconds be-
tween the first and second shots. Then
shots were as fast as one could pull a
trigger. ran on the pavement next to
the girls hall; asked what it meant.
Some one said, Look lying on the
ground" About that time l saw Mr..
johnson 60 in his gate, with his gun in
his hand: Mr.. Bellinger was lying on
the ground Frank Johnson was kneel-
ing over him, telling negro boy to go
for doctor. The boy said he would not
90. 1 walked up about that time. No
one was there but Frank and the negro
boy.
After hearing the evidence the jury re-
turned verdict to the effect that W. T.
Bellinger came to his death from gun
shot wound delivered by W. E. johnson
and Mr.. johnson was regularly commit
ted to Jail, to which institution he had
previously voluntarily committed him
self.
The burial of the unfortunate victim OF
this tragedy took place at $50 O'Clock
Saturday afternoon at the cemetery, and
was attended by an immense congrega'
CATION. The pall-bearers were Hayelock
Eaves, G. Moye Dickinson, H. W. John
son, Hooton Fielder, W. Paul Riley and
G. Frank Bamberg. The services were
conducted by Rev. W. E. Prentiss, pastor
of the Barnwell Episcopal church, and
the impressive and solemn offices OF that
faith deeply impressed the large crowd
which followed the body to the grave
There were many floral tributes, the
grave being literally covered with buds
and blossoms
We, in common with everybody in
Bamberg, deeply sympathize with all par
ties. Two homes are desolate, and many
loved ones are in the depths of sorrow.
God forbid that any such awful calamity
should ever again come upon US.
W. Bellinger was court stenograph-
er of this judicial circuit, and about 26
years of age He was shortly to have
been married to a young lady of Aiken.
He leaves father and mother, two SIS
ters and brothers, and large number OF
relatives, to whom we extend our most
heartfelt sympathy.
Rev. W. E. johnson was born in Aiken
county, and is about thirty-five years DID,
He has been pastor of the Baptist church
here about two years, and has many
friends here, who deeply sympathize with
him in his trouble He has wife and
three children, and has brother living
in Aiken.
Court will convene here in July, at
which time the case will no doubt be
tried. Robert Aldrich, of Barnwell; D.
S. Henderson, of Aiken; S. G. Maytield,
of Denmark, and Inglis s. Miley, of Bam-
berg, have been employed for the defense.
A motion for bail will be made to-mor-
row before the Supreme Court in Colum-