The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1903-10-28
TRIAL Of WHAM.
The Defendant On the Stand Tells of
the M rder.
wHAM PLEADS SELF DEFENCE.

Note to the Niece of the Man
Whom tic Shot
The case OF the State VS. John G..
Wham, charged with the murder OF
l.. w. Ramage on the 9th OF last July,
was tried at Laurens last week. l..
w. Ramage was shot and killed by
the defendat John G. Wham July 8
last in the yard OF the latter VINO had
been called upon by the deceased to
explain and reach settlement,
amicably IL possible certain conduct
regarded reprehensible and charged to
Wham toward "a niece of Mr.. Ramage.
Wham admitted that his plight was
bad and agreed to make acknuwledg-
ment at tie proper time and that
would be from his viewpoint when his
preacher would be present, probably
that day. Ramage insisted that he 90
over at once and explain to Mr.. Simp-
sons family He declined aud went
back in the house having met Ramage
aud his companion at the gate. Ram
age 1T seems entered the gate without
being invited and proceeded to the
back OF the house going around. In a
moment Wham appeared at an up
stairs window and ordered Blakely
who had accompanied Ramage to
leave. AS he was Withdrawing he
heard the shot. Wham shot Ramage
with a parler rifle and Immediately
escaped.
The State had ten witnesses, two OF
whom were ladies Mrs. ThoS. Simpson,
mother or the young woman, whose life
the defendant is alleged to have tried
to wreck and Mr.. JAS. =. billiard OF
Tylersville. Mrs. Simpson told of the
note received by her daughter from
Wham inviting her over to spend the
evening explaining that young lady,
a relative, was visiting at his nome,
etc. The witness when shown the
note at once realized that there must
be some mistake, some, hing wrong be-
cause she knew Mrs. Wham and her
company were at Cllntul spending the
afternoon and that the note therefore
was deception and an insult to the
daughter and the family. Taking the
daughter, witness proceeded to
Wham's house only a few hundred
yards distant across the road, and de-
manded an explanation of his conduct
rAth1>.la~aaitL LthG--atp IN n.ie.ti n
had been found ON the dresser written
presumably by his young lady visitor
and addressed to Miss Simpson, that
he simply picked it up and dispatched
it without thinking much of the Incl
dent. Finally however he admitted
that he was the author OF the often
sive missive. Mr.. Reid Blakely who
went with Ramage to Wham told
how they were met at the front gate
and that Wham seemed 10 be willing
To apologize but did not suit to 20
then and turned to go back into the
house. Witness said to Ramage bet
ter not let him go back" whereupun
Ramage followed but did not enter
the house, going around TO the rear.
Presently he heard shot. Called 90
deceased but received no response.
Knew he was shot, but Mr.. Wham re-
fused To let him and the Others who
had arrived go 10 the body OF their
dead friend.
Wham and his wife who was the only
eye witness to the shooting, test tieu
in his behalf. Wham showed little or
no hesitancy In making his statement
and declared he believed when he fired
the fatal shot his life was III imminent
danger; that Rlmage had his pistol
leveled at MIN and vas standing with
In ten feet OF him, when quick as "A
flash he presented his rifle and tired,
killing Ramage, who hal entered his
ward unDiddeu and who was trying tu
prevent his escape from his own house.
He admitted Sen1iug notes and u e
visits OF the simpsons, including the
old gentleman 10 his house, aud the
discussion concerning the import OF
the note. He denied curSing Mrs.
SimpSun as had been stated, saS ng
that he used the language with refer
encc to the party who told her or any
Of the family that he had stole his
property as charged 10y the lady upon
her second visit to his house. The
note was sent Monday morning.
Tuesday he heard there. was going to
he trouble SO he left home and lay out
that night, Wednesday and WedneS-
day night. He saw that Rdmage and
Blakely had gun In their buggy
when he met them at the gate and he
refused To 20 with them To the Simp-
son house simply because he had no
freud To 20 with hin at that time.
His wife substantially cOTrubDrated
all her husband had sworn TO. She
went out and begged Mr.. Ramage To
leave and followed him around the
house. Just as hc got around she saw
Wham appear at the back door. Mr..
Ramage drew his pistol and a shot
from her husbands gun was fired. She
was looking at Ramage. She was
cool and told her story quietly. The
case will be concluded Friday.
AssassIns worked IhcanIy