The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-09-20
A MIDNIGHT MURDER
h. A. Brown. of Rock Hill, Shot TO
Death in His Bed.
PAUL R. BRATTON WAS ARRESTED
The Dying Man Indicates That He
Was His SIayer-Probable Cause Of
the Deed.

-A
Rock Hill Special-A terrible trag-
edy, behind which it is supposed there
lies a scandal, was enacted here Sat-
urday morning at about l:S0 O'CLOCK.
Mr.. H. A. Brown Harry Brown tie
well-known painter, was shot twice
while in his bed at his home. The
deed was done by well-dressed man
who called upon Mr.. Browns BROTH
er-in-law, Mr.. Neel, and asked to see
Brown about some painting. When
the door was opened and Nj. Neel
started back to wake Brown the man
followedkhim in and as soon as he
caught sight of his victim, rushed up
and at close range fred two balls into
him. The first shot struck in, the side
and ranging down lodged in the bow
els. The second shot was diverted hy
Mr.. Neel, who caught the assassins
arm and disarranged his aim. This
shot shattered Browns arm. The
man then rushed out, jumped into the
waiting carriage and was driven rap
idly away. There was another white
man in the carriage. Brown died at
6 o'clock Saturday morning.
Brown was an Englishuap whose
family Is good. His brothers are ar.
lists of ability and have for 20 or more
years been connected with the Ora
phic," BLACK and White" and. other
high class journals. Twelve years
ago he married Miss Jennie Neel, a
daughter OF Gen. VIM. Neel, Of Meek
lenburg county, n G. She with four
| little children survive him.
The inquest was begun Saturday.
At the adjournment no direct evidence
as to identity of Browns slayer Lad
come out. The circumstantial evil
dence was such that Acting Coroner
Beckham 'phoned the sheriff at York.
| willie and ordered the arrest OF Mr..
| Paul R. Bratton and q colured driver
named Will Caldwell. 1t came out
that Thursday night Brown had been
| in Yorkville and while there had diff
fculty with Paul Bratton's brother,
John S. Bratton. Saturday morning
| at l o'clock Paul Bratton came across
the country in a closed surrey, driven
by Caldwell, and upon reaching here
| made inquiry for Browns residence.
Caldwell also said Mr.. Bratton also
came to see Painter Brown and that
he had to see him tonight. The
carriage containing Mr.. Bratton and
another man, whose identity has not
been ascertained, drove rapidly in the
direction of Browns residence about
the time of the shooting and in half
hour or less returned and drove rap
idly away from town towards York
Vile. The witness who had talked
with Mr.. Bratton and knew him, also
saw the carriage return and recog-
uized it as the same and the driver to
be Caldwell.
The coroner adjourned the inquest
until Sunday at 10 o'clock to have the
Jury hear the evidence OF the colored
driver, Caldwell. In Browns ante
! mortem statement he said the shoot
dng was done by one Of three men,
wiz: Amry Crockett, Gale or Dratton
himself. Evidently referring to John
s. Bratton with whom it Is UNDERSTOOD
he had a. difficulty with Thursday
night. Later after those in the room
had spoken of Paul Bratton being in
town, Brown was asked three times II
Paul Bratton shot him. Each time ne
made a sound considered by the wit
ness as being an Affirmative answer.
Mr.. Neel, the brother-ln-law OF Mr..
Brown, did not know the man who did
the shooting and has not seen Brat
ton Browns body was taken through
the country to Steele Creek church
yard in Mecklenbrug county, Mrs.
Browns old home, where the inter-
ment took place.
Bratton Arrested.
Yorkyille Special.-Mr. Paul K.
Bratton was arrested here Sunday.