The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-10-08
POLICEMAN OVENS SHOT.
Amos Singleton, an Escaped Convict, In
flicts Serious Wound and Battles
pursuif

fllctS Serious wound ana bameS
Pursuit.
Last Wednesday afternoon about $50
O'Clock Policeman A. D. Owens was
shot through the groin and seriously
wounded by Amos Singleton, negro
who escaped from the Florence county
chain gang at O'Clock Tuesday morn
ing. Singleton is a Sumter negro
originally, and his mother lives here
now, but he has been living in Flor
ence county for several years. About
two and half years ago he shot a
white man at Timmonsville,. for which
he was tried, convicted and sentenced
to the chain gang for five years. He
had served out % months of his term
at the time of his escape.
Wednesday morning the police Of this
city were notified of Singleton's escape
and a description Of his appearance
furnished. It was believed shat he
would show up here within a few days,
as it was known that he was coming
in this direction few hours after
escaping from the gang. The police
were on the look out for Singleton all
Of yesterday, but no clue was obtained.
But while Officer Owens was on his
way to supper between 6 and Z o'clock
he met Singleton face to face on the
street leading to the cotton mill. He
recognized Singleton at once, and
undertook to- arrest him. Singleton
ran and Officer Owens pursued him.
After running short distance Single
ton wheeled suddenly and fired point
blank at Mr.. Owens, the ball lodging
in his groin. Singleton fred only one
shot which put an end to the pursuit.
He then ran across the Edwards fields
lying west Of Factory street and made
his escape.
AS quickly as possible Chief of Police
Bradford was notified and arrange
ments were made to get the blood
hounds fromgthe chain gang, which is
now camped on the Blanding Mill road,
about mile from town. Nearly an
hour elapsed before the dogs were
taken to the scene of the shooting and
in the meanwhile Sc many people had
passed and repassed or had gone there
out of curiosity to see the tracks"
that the dogs were unable to get. on
the right trail and, in the darkness,
Singleton's tracks across the field
could not be found and positively
identified, as no one save Policeman
Owens saw him as he made his escape;
and Mr.. Ovens was, Of course, in no
condition to be of assistance. Every
possible effort was made to get on the
track of Singleton, but without sue
cess and pursuit had to be abandoned
last night. Telephone messages were
sent to all points that could be reach
ed last night asking that watch be
kept for Singleton. Early this morn
ing a message came from Wedgeheld
that a negro thought to be Singleton
had passed that place just at daylight.
He was walking rapidly, going to-
wards Columbia along the railroad.
Chief Of Police Bradford and Sheriff
Scarborough took the 9.45 train for
Columbia hoping to overtake.. Singleton
and capture him during the morning.
Later in the day it was reported that q
negro answering Singleton's descrip-
tion had passed the Camden Junction
Thursday morning, but instead Of fol-
lowing the road towards Columbia had
turned off on sthe Southern sand when
last seen was heading in the direction
of Camden. Since then nothing has
been heard of him.
Assistant Chief Of Police Weeks
was sent through the country by pr;-
yate conveyance to Claremont and
there took up the pursuito of Singleton.
Telephone and telegraph messages we're
also sent to all the stations on the
Camden Branch asking that watch
be kept for Singleton.
Sheriff Scarborough and Chief
Bradford, who went to Columbia Thurs
day morning, returned that night with
out finding clue thai would lead to
the capture of Amos Singleton. On
the way over they made inquiry at ev-
cry station to ascertain if Singleton
had passed, but no one had seen him.
When returning in the afternoon they
were informed at Eastover that a
negro had passed there during the
morning who, in some respects, re-
sembled Singleton, but no one could
say which direction he came from or
where he went.
Policeman A. H. Weeks returned
Saturday afternoon from Camden
without having succeeded in finding
any trace of Amos Singleton for whom
he was searching.
The wound received by Officer Ovens
is of a serious nature, but is s-not re-
garded as fatal. At last accounts his
condition was as favorable as possible
and it is thought he will have safe
and speedy recovery.
A Small Blaze That Contained the Germs
of Destructive Fire.