The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-02-27
A. W. GLEASON,
Notary Public.
JAMES w. TOLRERT SHOT.
Returned to Town From Which He Had
Been Expelled.
Speciel to The State

Speciel to The State
Greenwood, Feb. 21.-James W.
Tolbert has met the fate he courted.
He was shot today on the streets of
Mccormick, where he had been told
that he must not 60 or else he would
have to die. Before he was shot
down he fred two shots at young
visitor to the town of McCormick-a
man who had nothing to do with the
row going on between Tolbert and
the citizens of Mccormick. Both
shots took effect, one in the body and
one in the hip. This young man, a
Mr.. Martin, was visiting his brother
in-law, NJ. L. B. Sturkey, and was
simply walking by when Tolbert, ac-
cording to the statements of those
present, pulled out pistol and fred
at him: Immediately fusilade be-
gan, with Tolbert as the target for
all the available shooting in and
around that vicinity.
Tolbert owns quite lot of land
around Mccormick and some real es-
tate in the town. He has never at
tended to the renting Of this proper
ty in person until this year; be will
likely never do so again. About
week ago he went down to McCor-
mick determined to stay. In a few
days be received an anonymous letter
advising him to leave. He refused
to attach any Importance to the letter
and went on about his business of
looking after his farm lands. Today
he was approached by crowd of
men and told to leave. According
to the best men present he attempt
ed to argue the matter andto let it
be known that be intended to stay.
Just about this time young Martin
passed by the crowd on the other
| side Of the street, and seeing him,
Tolbert pulled out his pistol and fred
twice at Martin. As stated above,
the shooting at Tolbert then COM
menced, only two shots taking effect,
both in the body. Martin was hit in
the hip and in the body. There
were no more shots fred at Tolbert
after he fell. He was carried to the
home of Mr.. Pick Hollipgsworth, and
in was stated tonight thae a heavy
guard had been placed around the
house. Young Martin was carried
nto the store of his brother in-law,
NJ. L. B. Sturkey, and his wounds
Immediately attended to by DR.. Nell
dau,
Even if Tolberts wounds do not
prove fatal, his life is still in danger.
The general opinion is that if Mar
tin should die there would be no
chance for Tolbert. Late this after
noon phone message from McCor-
mick stated that a good many people
from the country were coming in
town, and the universal opinion was
that Tolbert had better be moved.
His physician said that he could be
moved, and his brother R R Tolbert,
expects to go tonight to have him
moved to Augusta or some place Of
safety.
jim Tolbert, as he is known, has
been obnoxious to the people OF
i Mccormick ever since the Phoenix
riot in the fall of 1898 Herendered
himself doubly so by the celebrated
conspiracy case" against some of
the very best citizens Of the place in
the spring of 1899. He has made
several attempts to go back there,
bat every time he was told quietly
but none the less firmly that he could
not stay in the town of Mccormick.
Dispute these warnings he has per-
! sisted, and it seems now that he will
give up bis life for his rasbness.
The people of Mccormick are very
cool and very determined. He has
been told to stay away, and all
would be well, but to try to come