The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-03-11
MEETS AWFUL FATE.
Charles Jefcoat, the South Carolina
Murderer, Shot to Death
WHILE RESISTING OFFICERS.

Jeffcoat Was Also Wanted in Geor-
eia for the Killing Of Dep
uty Sheriff Flanders
at Swainsboro.
Ihe closing chapter in the life Of
Charles Jeffcoat was enacted Thurs
day IN Alabama when he was shot to
death by two officers Of the law who
attempted to arrest HIM. A dispatch
to The State from Andalusia, Ala,
gives the following particulars of the
outlaws's tragic death: Charles JEFF
coat, alias Charles Johnson, who was
wanted in Swainsboro, Ca, for the
murder of ]. c. Flanders, deputy sher-
if of Emanuel county, was shot to
death Thursday near Watkins bridge,
on Yellow river, by Deputy Sheriffs
PreStWood and Dunson, who were at
tempting to arrest him. Jefcoat was
also wanted in South Carolina for
murder. There is'a reward OF 81 900
for his capture from Georgia. Deputy
Dunson was shot in the leg by jeff
coat.
AS The State says: Jeffcoat's career
while lawless one was nevertheless
picturesque. Only July Is, 1902, he
was being pursued by a posse near
Midwife, Ca, headed by Deputy Sher-
if joe Flanders who was endeavoring
to arrest him for the murder Of man
named Wilson at Herndon, Ga. The
crime hac beer committed some fours
months pre- cas- and during the inter
vening time Jefcoat had been eagerly
pursued. AS Sheriff Flanders was all.
most upon him the desperate turned
and shot him escaping into the Ogee-
chez river swamp.
A few days later Gov. McSweeneys
was notified Of a gang Of horse thieves
operating near Wagners in Aiken
county and offered rewards for their:
capture. They were hotly pursued by
Sheriff Alderman of Aiken county.
Dogs were placed on their trail and
the thieves were closed up with. The
pursuit narrowed to a small settle
ment near the river and the posse
came in sight of Jeffcoat, who turned
and fred a broadside at the two off,
GERS, Sheriff Alderman and his deputy,
MI. All. The latter was shot in the
back by the outlaw who again es-z
capped. A new posse was organized and
the chase renewed towards the south
ern part of the State. He was thought
to have entered Lexington county and g
the governor and the sheriffS Of Aiken
and Lexington counties Kept up a.
constant telegraphic communication.
Extra cartridges were sent to the off,
GERS and fresh dogs were obtained.
But on July 26 all trace OF Jefcoatz
was lost, though the man hunt CON-
tinued.
He was traced to Dixiana, in Lex.
ington county, and from there enter
ed the Congaree swamp. The swamp
was thoroughly searched but no trace
of him could be found. From that
time he has been unheard Of in South
Carolina, though there were frequent
rumors Of his appearance in this city,
as he has brother living here. Most
Of the stories were, however, myths.
At the time Of his disappearance there
was an aggregate reward Of 81, 200 for
his capture. Sheriff Flanders widow
offered 5000, his brother like sum
and friends Of Flanders 5000 more;
$500 was offered by various South
Carolina authorities. 1t is question
Of interest as to whether the two Ala
bama officers would be claimants for
the large sum placed upon the head
of this notorious outlaw.
FULL DETAILS OF TRAGEDY.
A special to The Atlanta Constitu-
tion from Macon, Ga, says: Packed
in a box Of ice to preserve it from de-
cay, the body of Charles Jefcoat, the
Emanuel county outlaw, passed
through Macon Friday night enroute
to Swainsboro, where it will be sur
rendered to the sheriff by the two
Alabama deputies, one Of whom shot
Jeffcoat to death Wednesday after
noon near Liberty Hill.
Jeffcoat was located Wednesday
morning at the home Of his brother:
in-law near Andalusia, by Deputies
Dunson and Prestwood.
The fugitive was then making his
way into Mississippi and wheh the
officers came upon MIN be was sitting
on a, porch talking to some ladies. As
the officer discovered him Jefcoat
started on his journey to Laurel Hill,
accompanied by ten-year-old boy who
was to show him the way. Near the
house the officers and Jefcoat met.
When within 20 feet of the outlaw
both officers covered him with double
barreled shot guns. Deputy Dunson
drew bead on Jefcoat but before
pulling the trigger said: Jefcoat,
I've got the drop on you. Throw up
your hands. I don't want to hurt
you"
Jeffcoat hesitated for second.
Within ten feet Of him was a large
tree. Like flash he darted behind
the tree. Both officers and the fugi-
tive then began firing and at the
second yolley Jefcoat fell down dead.
AS Deputy Dunson attempted to
step forward he too dropped upon the
ground. A bullet from the outlaws
pistol had passed through his left leg.
The body is worth to the sheriff IN
all 81, $50.
Jefcoat was horse thief and killed
Deputy Flanders, who was trying to
arrest him. He escaped into South
Carolina where he killed a deputy
sheriff.
Oil Tank Explodes.
The burning of stable adjoining
the storage tanks Of the Standard Oil
company at Greenville, North Coro-
] ,:> "a <ocda,r ca11sad Of liz,