The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1903-05-13
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY
On a Public Highway in the County
of Bishopville.
W. E. CREECH SHOT TO DEATH

Ing Creech, Pursued Him on
Horse, Caught Up and
Finished Him.
A special from Camden to The State
says: w. h. Creech OF Bishopville
was killed by Spain Kelley of Lee
county Wednesday evening on the
public highway leading from Camden
TO BiShopville, about 10 miles from
the former place. 1t is stated that
MIR. Creech was returning from Cam
den, driving a buggy, Mr.. Howard
Singleton being with him. While 60
ing up hill near the Lee county line
they met Mr.. Kelley in a two-horse
buggy driven by negro boy.
Kelly evidently did not recognize
Creech until he was nearly past him.
AS soon as he did, however, he picked
up a pistol lying beside him and fired
three shots in rapid succession which
entered Mr.. Creech's back. Mr.. Sin
gleton got out OF the buggy and was
followed by Creech, whose horse took
fright and bolted, whereupon Mr..
Creech ran up the road to buggy
driven by Mr.. King, which was going
towards Bishopville.
AS Creech ran up the road Kelley,
who had in the meantime gotten out,
seized Il double barrcied breechluader
| from his buggy and aimed it at him,
but Singleton stepped in front OF the
muZ1.c of the gun and Creech reached
the buggy in safety and was driven
or 1T rapid pace. Kelley attempted
to follow them with his team. but the
pursued had made such headway that
ne realized he could not overtake
them. He thereupon unhitched one
OF his horses and jumping on its back,
Il med with his breechloader, galloped
liter the buggy, overtaking it after it
bad passed the Lee county line Kelly
ircd three more shots, killing Creech.
1t Is rumOred that this act on Mr.
Nclley'S part was in consequence of
IN irremediable wrong done by the de-
ceased to a member of the formers
family.
Mr.. w. +. Creech, a North Caro-
| iinian by birth, was partner OF the
BiShopville branch OF Mr.. George II.
Littie's Camden livery stable. For
several years previous TO his departure
for BiShopville the deceased was en-
ployed by Little In Camden and here
bore the reputation of being a peace
full and quiet citizen.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
a dispatch from BiShopville to The
State says This town was shocked
Thursday morning to hear OF the
tragic death of w. +. Creech, who
was shot to death Wednesday evening
by Spain Kelly. Mr.. Creech was re-
turning from Camden in company with
III. III. King and Howard Singleton.
About II miles from BiShopville they
were met by Kelly, who was riding in
a buggy, accompanied by negro and
leading another horse. AS he came
opposite TO Creech and Singleton. who
were riding together, Kelly drew his
double barreled gun from under the
buggy seat and aiming his gun at
Creech said; Il have been hunting
you for 4S hours"
He then fired, but the negro knock
ed up the barrel and. the load went
over the top of the buggy. Creech
and Singleton then jumped out and
the horses ran away. Kelly fired
again, the load striking Creech in the
side and arm. King then caught
Crccch and pulled him into his buggy,
driving rapidly away. Kelly mounted
the horse he was leading and rode
after the retreating men. King, see
ing that Kelly was fast approaching,
whipped his horse into run and this
pace was kept up for more than two
miles.
Coming opposite the house Of Mrs.
Sallie BOykin, Creech begged King to
stop as he could go no further They
drove into the yard, Kelly following.
King pleaded with Kelly not to shoot
again as the man was dying. Kelly rode
up to the buggy and fired twice with
his revolver, killing Creech instantly.
Neither Creech nor the two men with
him were armed. The verdict of the
coroner'S jury was that the deceased
came to his death by means of gun
shot wounds at the hands Of Spain
Kelly. The cause of the shooting is
mystery to everybody here and no
motive can be assigned for the deed
Mr.. Creech was manager of the livery
stable here OF the firm of Creech x
Little. He had made many friends
since his residence here and was a
highly respected young man.
HAD NOT wRoNGED HIM.
The State OF Friday morning says
further information in regard to the
shocking tragedy was brought to Co
lumh'a Friday night by Mr.. John
/ Milady, who was in Bishopville when
the shocking news was brought to the
town. He stated TO a reporter of The
state that the entire town is in gloom
and practically ali work has been Sus-
pended and stores closed. Both of
The principals in the awful affair were
| popular in the town. 1t is said that
with his dying breath Creech declared
mis- innocence of any wrong toward
Kelly. The body of the dead man
was taken to Tennessee Friday night
10y Mr. J. h. Mclaughlin, Il lawyer of
that place.
Young Kelly is said to be man OF
Iulet demeanor and well educated
A.,