The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-10-04
MURDERER LYNCHED.
He Had Killed One or Two Men Be
fore and Was Acquitted-A Strik-
ing Illustration of the Natural Re-
suit of the Failure to Enforce Law
In the Courts.

Willie Floyd, shooting him three
times. 1t seems to have been
deliberate, cold-b1ooded murder.
Morrison, it IS said, wanted Floyd
to lend him 10 cents, but Floyd re-
fused. Morrison followed Mr.. Floyd
and shot him to death.
Mr.. Floyd was one of the com1nun-
ity's remarkably quiet and peaceful
citizens. Morrison has killed one
or two persons before this. He was
tried this summer for killing negro.
Feeling is running high. Morrison
is in the guard house and the town
is full of excited men.
He may be lynched before morn
ing.
Details of the Lynching.
The following telegram was; re-
ceived in Columbia Saturday night:
Kershaw, S. C.. October 1.-Gcv-
ernor Hayward. Columbia S. c.:
Help save my husband from lynch~
ing tonight. Martha J. Morrison"
This was the pitiful appeal of a
wife to save a husband from mad
mob. It did no good. Tonight
there alwo widows in the little city
of Kelsksw in Lancaster county.
One is The widow of VIII Floyd, a
prosperous farmer, the other is the
widow who had appealed for help.
John Morrison. SO say the snatches
of information that come from Ker-
shaw was desperate sort OF mani
three homicides were already to his
credit, when Saturday he picked a
quarrel with Mr.. Floyd about the
loan of ten cents. Mr.. Floyd declin-
ed to make the loan and was shot to
death by Morrison. The story here
is that only month ago Morrison
was tried and acquitted for killing
negro, his two previous victims werc
white men. With the blood of his
fourth victim on him, he was taken
to the town guard house. and there
the town marshal was put on guard.
Soon the intendant and other citi
zens joined in their efforts to quell
the rising tide of indignation that was
certain to lead to death. The mob
was soon on the town jail and there
was no help for Morrison. Pleading
did no good. Sheriff Hunter was
at the county seat, there was no
militia available nearer than Cam
den. twenty-five miles away, and
Morrison's chances were hopeless.s
Governor Hayward. as soon as ad-
vised of the trouble, used the tele-
graph and telephone freely. but with
, altt result. The military company
that he ordered to the scene from
; Camden and Sheriff Hunter reached
the scene after Morrison had paid
quick penalty for his fourth crime.
The story here is that Morrison,
just before being shot to death by the
mob, stated that he had always want
ed to get even with Floyd and that
he purposely tried to get into fight
with. him. Governor Hayward did
everything he could to prevent a
lynching, but there was nothing pos
sible. 1t is a most unusual thing to
lynch white man in this state, and
sathe record of Morrison and evident
allty of the crime are given as
excuses for the lynching.
t midnight Saturday night Gov
ernor Hayward sitting in his library
had received the last message closing
the story for that night at Kershaw.
He is utterly disguised that nothing
can be done to prevent lynchings.
First Scranton, then Eutawville, then
Stewart and on Saturday night Mort
rison at Kershaw. 1t is staggering.
and Governor Hayward feels him
self helpless. He is bravely trying
to do everything possible. Money,
persistent effort are all spent in
vain, with such crimes as that of Sat-
urday. 1t is small wonder, however,