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

Whec jaiier aud constable Thcs Dennis
drove into Florence tais morning wi;h tace
drip2lcg with blood aud cola. aud shirt
staiced Geep AID gsfipg criIaoo, there
was 1a.urally much excitement utd s.ecu'a.
too as 20 what was ''u2." 81. Deooie soon
left town again: AID toogass we're ksp:
waggag uotil ne Tsturned e: ooe clock,
heels, aud m2rchiog before hin v.ta siigh'
limp o;g ecaOas negro. upon whose o'acx
facs was an expression tcat 40 student OF
human rsture could Interpret. Jailer Dennis
had his man but not until a desperate h5nt
and an exciting capture bad taken place n
which Ggu:sd to deadly extent pistols, WIG
chester riHss, knives ADD hand cuffs. TIE
Story of the ah1ir is 10 !eres,iog and bloody.
This morning as he was going out into tee
county Mr. Denais was informed that q
negro wss hanging around the Jefrey'a creek
PUMP station With Wiaches!er r!f= aud
probably a history. With pistol 10 hand
Dir. Dennis went to the pump, spproacaed
the aeg1o and demanded his arrest, at the
same time takins bold of him by the belt.
Mr. Jos Temple, the Informant, was aloog
Tue regro wanted TO see tie Warrant, and
refused to be arrested.
From DESCRIPTION, Sir. DenuiS vas low
sure ,h. nan was wanted iu Marlboro for toe
murder of Mr. Carter, guard Of the chain
gang, which will be reuen bered, and hand
&C fed the man
The powerful negro resisted and with sn
effort wreoched one OF his bands free. There
followed theo desperate fight.
U5iog The eutfs ss g weapon the regro
s,rnck Mr. Dennis several awful blows upon
the hcad Us!y gasbes were ire:ciec and
tbs blood flowed freely Mr.. Daoois fought
With erc, determination, tie !two cllocoed
and toe pegro was considerably bruised Not
wishing to Kill the regro Mr Dennis stct
him in the sbigh M: DeaD!s thumb VI:
In turo literally chewed up. In The melee,
the negro in some uasoer got possession OF
toe pistol aud, tearing himself iooss, fed io
the swsmp.
Hurt eyd bleeding bis energy kept ali'e
only by grit, Nr. Dean;s returned 70 For
ence and secured posse. amoog whom were
Messrs J Fl Williams, S a. Jones and
Charlie Lee All were ermed.
~
followed in round abovt ..uauner throogh
the swamp, to the place OF Mr. S Gregg.
Here the oesro wes captured. - -
Mr. Williams cav the negro running up
bill aud almost q. the sane time bullet
passed near his head. He fred bis Wiocbes-
ter. A hoie in ueero.s neck SHOWS where
the bullet Iapded The negro returned the
Era With pistol, but the sEoss, even at THIS
close range. fev wide III. Williams seized
q sho. CUP from youcg Lee ard peppered the
fellow With duck ebot Tbs.aegro threw up
bis saods and surrecdered. Sis Winchester
" asun:"aded.
The p. accssioo moved into Florence at ore
O. 'oloek. A large and curious CROWD follow
ed tie zero to Jail aad eaw h'n searched
and .eeSea Up.
The negro says his name is Esosy Williams
and .sat his BONE 10 Sumter. He claims 10
Lay. been retnrniog to Georgetown from
Sun.sr TO resons bis work With the A. {.
Lumeer cemposy. An A. G Lumber CON-
pany check was found in his pocketbook.
q. sses he. resisted Mr. Dennis because no
did DOT know he was constable end tbat ne
had oooe nothing TO De arrested tor Is 's
said that be gave severa other nanes.
Mr.. Dennis thinks be has captured Carriers
murdeses.
The aegro has two ba!lets 10 his body and
will be cared fos by physician NJ. Dsoa's
also baa need OF nedicsl attesuon.
Williams history will be locked into i'm
media,ely y.-Tloreoc Times, Nov 8.