The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-06-19
1 TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
FRANK K. WENN KILLED INSTANTLY
Charles Smith Seriously Wounded
While Trying to Preserve the
Peace.

o'clock last Friday evening. The re-
sult was the instant killing of Frank
(. Winn, eldest son of Mr.. u. James
VIM. the serious wounding of Charlie
smith, a son of Mr.. W. P. Smith,
and Edward A. Edwards is prisoner
held for the killing Of VIM.
The story of the tragedy is fuiiy
told in the evidence taken before the
jurY of inquest on Saturday, the 10th,
given herewith, but the difficulty oc-
Cured as follows:
Mr. Winn entered suit against M:
Edwards to collect a debt of Sl2.5 80
that he, Mr.. Winn, claimed Edwards
owed the firm of Ingram and Winn, the
said firm having been out Of business
for four or more years. The case was
heard Friday morning in the court
of Magistrate Folk at Providence, but
no Judgment was rendered, Mr.. FOLK
stating that he would take it under
consideration and could not render MS
decision until be had thought over 1t
for three or four days. During the
progress of the trial Mr.. Winn became
angry and personal difficulty seemed
imminent between him and Edwards
but Mr.. j. II. Clifton, Mr.. Wlnn's at,
torney and Magistrate Folk lnterfered
and preserved the peace.
Mr.. Edwards drove home through
the country accompanied by Stanslll
Smith who had made the trip with
him. as Mr. Edwards was trying
horse which ne was thinking of buy
inc from the stable Mr.. Winn re-
turned on the train. For some little
time before the difficulty Mr.. Ed
wads had been standing in font OF Mr..
Harby's lot gate talking to Mr.. Char
lie Smith about buying the horse;
While there MI. Vim passed and
went into the stable where he talked
for few minutes with Mr.. G. ".
StansiIl. When he came out Mr.. Ed
wards was still in froat of the lot
gate. Mr., Winn stopped and few
words passed. Mr. Vim drew his pis-
tol. struck Mr.. Edwards with his LETT
fist. threw up his pistol; Mr.. Edwards
who is eft-handed, drawing his pistol
and knocking up Winn's pistol at the
same time with his right hand. AS
Winn,s pistol was knocked up it was
discharged, and the ball struck Char
lie Smith, who started TO separate the
two men. Edwards and Winn crap
pled and Edwards shot Winn twice,
INJECTING the wounds, one in the left
side that went through his chest and
came ont on the right side, the other
grazing the right breast and making
a serious wound in the right arm.
They fell together Edwards on top,
who threw down his pistol. wrenched
Wins from his hand and struck him
tWos or three blows on the head with
it,. Mr.. Henry Hardy rushed up told
Edwards to stop and he got up. Po-
Eceman Barwick came UP and he sur
rendered. Mr.. Edwards escaped with
ont wound. Mr.. Winn died almost
instantly a.
Charlie Smith was shot twice, once
near the corner Of the chin, his lower
Jaw being. broken and the ball lodging
in his mouth; the other ball grazed
the side ct bis forehead, but not go
ing deep enough to inhict fatal
wennd. When shot he fell to the
sidewalk and bsed profusely, but soon
regained consciousness and was remoV--
ed to DE-. Bakers Infrmary. Today
his condition is encouraging and it IS
thought he will be able to be out with
In few days.
Edwards and Wina's pistols were
turned over at once to Sheriff Scarbor-
ough. There were three empty car
tgidges il Edwards pistol and one in
Wiun's, but In Winn's there were two
cartridges that had been snapped with
ont being discharged.
Mr.. Edwards is still under arrest
and is confined in the guard house.
An application for bail has been made
and be will probably be released Mon,
day.
Coroner Flowers was notified imme-
diately after the tragedy and at once
took charge Of the body, summoned a
Jury and began the inquest. After
viewing the body the inquest was ad-
iourned until 9 O'Clock this morning.
The body was taken to the residence
Of Mr.. D. J. Winn and Dr.. Dick made
a post mortem examination.
The inquest was resumed this morn
ing and the following testimony was
taken:
G. ". Stansill-I saw both parties
in front of the stable just before the
shooting, but was in back part of
stable when shooting occurred. I do
not know anything that will throw
light on the shooting. Had talk
with VIM a few minutes before, but
he said nothing about shooting any
one. Heard the shots, but when / got
to front of stable shooting was over.
VIM was lying in the street. Charlie
Smith was being brought into the sta
bic and Edwards was gone.
Stansill Smith went with Mr..
Edwards to Providence yesterday when
he was being sued in Mr.. Folks
~eeurt by Mr.. Vim. During the trial
Mt VIM seemed angry and when
they began to question each other Mr..
Winngot mad. He told Mr. Edwards:
You have made two or three cracks
zat me and if you want to ruff1e it out
we will do it.
Mr.. Edwards said q did not come
up hese fog fight, but to settle this
enseterrer. ~
During that time Mr.. winn started
toward Mr.. Edwards. Mr.. }. II. CHI,
ton told him (Winn) to sit down and
MAGISTRATE Folk said he would hne