The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-11-14
Probably Grant Williams.
Constable Dennis Overhauls
a Desperate Near
... Florence.

When jailer aod constable Tbos Dennis
drove into Florence tuis morning with face
dripping with blood and collar and shirt
stained deep and glsrng criusou, there
was naturally much excitement aud specula
too as 10 what was "up" Sir Dennia soon
left town again, and tongaes were ktp, a
waggiog until be returned at one o'clock
passing down The street with crowd a; bis
heels, aud marching before him with a slight
limp big brawoy negro. upon whose osck
face was an expression that 20 student of
human nature could Interpret Jailer Dennis
had bis man but not until desperate 6ght
and an exciting capture bad taken place 10
which sgured TO deadly extent pis,ols, Win.
chester ri6ss, knives and hand cuffs The
story OF the affair is 10 ,erestiog and bloody
This morning az be was going out into the
country Mr.. Dennis was informed that a
negro was hanging around the Jeffrey's creek
pump station with Winchester rife and
probably history. With pistol 10 hand
Dir. Dsnnis went to the pump, approached
the negro aud demanded his arrest, at ths
same time taking hold of bin by the belt.
Mr.. Jos. Teuplo, the Informant, was along
The negro wanted to see tie warrant, and
refused to be arrested.
From DESCRIPTION, Mr. Denuis was BOW
sure the nan was wanted ia Marlboro for the
murder of Mr.. Carter, guard Of the chain
gang, which will be remem bered, and hand
cuffed the man
The powerful negro resisted and with an
effort wreoched one Of his bands free There
followed theo desperate fight.
Usiog The cuffs as a weapon the regro
strnck Sir. Dennis several awful blows upon
the head. Ugly CACHES were inflicted and
the blood flowed freely. Mr.. Dennis fought
with grim determination, the 1.-TWO cliuched
and the negro was considerably bruised. Not
wishing to kill the negro Mr.. Dennis stct
him in the thigh. Mr. Deapis' thumb W. 9
10 turn literally chewed up. Iu the melee,
The negro In some manner got posse ssiou of
the pistol and, tearing himself loose, fed 10
the swamp.
Hurt aud bleeding bis energy kept alive
only by grit, Ar. Dennis returned to Flor
ence and secured posse, among whom were
Aessrs. ] II. Williamsr 8 A. Jones and
Charlie Lee All were armed
The dogs found the scent at the pump aod
followed 10 a round about :mauner through
the swamp, to the place Of Mr. s A. Gregg.
Here the oegro was captured. -
Ar. Williams cav the negro running up |
bill aod almost at the sane time a bullet
passed near his bead. He fred bis Wio ches-
ter. hoie 10 a ueero.s neck shows where |
the bullet Landed. The negro returued the
6rs With pistol, but the shots, even at this
close range, few wide. Mr.. Williams seized
q sho, gun from young Lee and peppered the
fellow With duck shot. The negro threw up
and surrendered. His Winchester
waS IN loaded.
The p' ocrssioo moved into Florence at one
O'CLOCK. A large and curious crowd follow.
ed tse rxro to Jail sad saw hin searched
and !setea sp.
10 oesTo Sdys n's name 10 ttsofy NI'hAus
and tAat his bone 10 Sumter. be elaims TO
have been retsrniog to GEORGETOWN frcm m
SuuNs 10 resume bis work With the A. c.
Lumber company. 40 A. O Lumber com.
pany check wAs found 10 his pock.tbook.
He says ~ resisted Mr.. Dennis because hs
did DOT know be was constable and that he
had daas nothing to be arrested tor IL 10
said that be gave several other names.
Mr.. Dennss thinks be has csptured Carriers
murdsser.
The negro has two bullets 10 his body and
will oe cared fos BY u physIciau. Mr.. Dsua,s
also bad need Of medical attestion.
Williams history will be locked into i'm.
mediaaely y.-Floreuce Times, Nov 8.