The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
BLOODY TRAGEDY
AEAR BIsH0PYlLE.
F. erseeh Shot to Death BY
Spain Kelley.
eREEGa Was NOT armed.
Kelley Used Double Barrett Shot
Gun and Pistol---creeeE Was
Shot in the Back.

StlU1 LII Itio D6SMs
Bishopville. May 7.-Mr. W. T.
Creech, of the frm of Creech d Lit
tie, live stock dealers, OF this place. is
dead, and Mr.. Spain Kelley, also OF
Shis place, Oldest son of Mr.. John +.
Z Kelley, who is one of the best known
men of this courty, his slayer, is fu-
gitiYe from justice.
The tragedy occurred on the Cam
den road about eight miles from this
place sometimes near s O'Clock last
night.
Nh. Harleston King and negro were
returning from Camden in two bug
g7es and at the place stated they we're
met By MIR. Spain Kelley on. horse
hack. He was armed with q shotgun
and as they met Mr.. Creech is report
cd to have said to him: cit seems
like you are out hunting and that
Kelley replied, syes, d-n you. [ am
hunting you.,' By this time Kelley
lad passed the buggy in which Creech
and Singleton were riding, and turn
ing his horse in the read he fred at
Creech's back. The first sho5 missed
Ereech, but hit the horse, and Kelley
Fred aeain almost instantly. This
laos took effect, Creecb being struck
IL the back, below the shoulder blade.
Creech Jumped or fell from the
buggy and sank to the ground by
the roadside. Kelley sprang from his
horse and started to reload his gun
b1t. Mr.. King who was riding in the
other buggy, ran up and seized the
gun and attempted to wrest it out Of
Kelley's hands Kelley thereupon
drew pistol and threatened to kill
ng If no did not release the gun.
King did as he was ordered Kelley
then walked MP to where Creech lay
weering Il, blood on the ground and
tired four bullets from his pistol into
Crsech,s body. Kelley deliberately
reloaded his gun mounted his horse
and road off.
Creech made no statement after be-
ing shot, in fact had NO opportunity
80 do SO diving within few moments.
Neither Creech, King nor Singleton
was armed, and they were poWerless
80 do anything, even had they antici-
p4SCN ld4a1 SAS44Sy .Wo2 N9]o1aa VIZ VIZ
road TO attack Creech.
Mr. Singleton who is bookkeeper
Tor the Little stable in Camden went
szEs once TO Camden to notify Mr..
George Little, Mr. Creech's partner,
and Mr.. King, who was in Mr..
Creeks employ in Bishopville, remain
ed with the body until assistance could
be summoned from the neighb borhood
and he then fastened to this place to
bring the news, arriving after mid
night.
There Is no known cause for the
shooting and no statement has yet
been made that throws any light on
the terrible happening.
II is currently reported that the
killing was the ontgroyth of a person
al difficulty or a family trouble, but
6his is mere rumor and without
authority.
". F. Creech was a native of
Whiteburg, Tennessee, and has been
living in this State about eight or nine
sears. He was about 50 years old and
unmarried.
Spain Kelley is the eldest son of
86r. j. F. Kelley, prominent citizens
of this section, who represented Sum-
ter county in the House OF Represent
atives in 1924.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Bishopville, May Last night be-
tween s and 8 O'Clock, Mr.. ". F.
Greech, being on his way from Cam
den ia company with his bookkeeper,
Mr. Singleton, and Mr.. King, also in
his employ, was met by .Mr:a:SpaaH'
Kelley near Antioch Church, about
Sax or eight miles from Bishop
vile and just within the Lee County
line. Without any words Or statement,
Mr. Kelley shot Mr. Creech with a
donble-barrel shot gun, both barrels.
Mr. Greech was not killed i'm
nediasely and Mr.. King jumped into
Che buggy with him and endeayored to
get away before Kelley could shoot
again. He drove as fast as possible,
Creech, still living, but they we're
pursued by Kelley, who shot Creech
again with pistol, and Mr.. Creech
died Immediately after the last shoot
ing.
It is reported that Mr.. Kelley will
surrender himself to the Sheriff, but
had not done so at this hour (ll a.
Mr. Cryecb is a member of the firm
-of Creech & Little, who do large sale
and livery business in Bishopville and
Camden.
Mr.. Kelley is son of Mr.. John F.
Kelley, of this community.
Manning Notes.
There is a movement on foot, ad-
yocated by some prominent merchants,
F1at-:, +o +bo ofo hliShino nf Dublic