The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-30
BYNUM HAS FLED.


In Controversy Yesterday Morning
Over Business Affairs Bynum Who
Had Been Drinking Puts Two Car
tridges into Affords Side Who Dies
at Rex Hospital at NishtfaII While
Officers Of the Law are on the
Search for Bynum Who Has Escaped
to the Woods.
terrible tragedy, the taking of
human life, one man dead, another a
fugitive from Justice darkened this
city yesterday and left it in gloom.
The sharp crack of a pistol--once
twice. thrice---tFe rnsii OF a man from
The office, the coming of a friend. the
wearisome journey to the hospital
and death.
That is the closing day in the life
of one of Raleigh's Oldest citizens, j.
II. Afford, who yesterday morning an
alert business man, though nearly
seventy years of age, was last night
"A corpse. done to his death by his
partner, Raymond D. Bynum.
And Bynum has fled, the officers
being on his track. Immediately
after he had fired the fatal shots he
walked from the office on East Har-
gett street. spoke calmly 10 a passer
by, went on to Blount street. on out
East Davie and was swallowed up
from sight
Mr.. Afford shot il the right side
and four inches below the right
breast, was taken at once to the hos
pital where every attention was given
aim. 0ut DIT nightfall, ust about six
O'Clock death came to him from the
shock and the loss of blood. No vital
organ had been stricken. but the
mans age. the stress of the event, the
collapse after the pistol shot. and the
pouring out cf his blood brought the
end.
Quick as it was known that Mr..
Afford was shot from the sheriff s
Office went deputies in search of BY
mum who had walked away. He was
traced. through the city out by the
Federal Cemetery, out by the GatlinS
place, and then there was no further
clue Telegrams and telephone mes
sages were sent TO all points that
might have been his destination, but
no word of him or his whereabouts
was TO tie had last night. He had
aIsro ,ea ed as completely aS ,f the
earth had opened and swallowed him
w..
Mr.. j. H Afford. the dead man,
was the senior member of the firm of
Afford. Bynum & Christophcr job
printers. who do business ON East
Hargett street Nearly seventy years
old he was shot by the junior mem
Der of the firm. Raymond ID. By
mum. about thirtyfive years old.
Rynum has wife and two children.
Alfor,l was a Widower. his wife haV-
ing died some years ago. their only
child having died before this.
Bynum is stated to have ,
past and it is understood
that he was still affected with drink
yesterday morning. II IS said thas seV-
tral DAYS ago Mr.. Afford had talked to
Bynum regarding h s. careless ana un-
business-Iike life, and told him that
change would have to take place If the
firm continued business in the new
year and that the way Bynum had
been accounting for the collections of
the firm was very unsatisfactory, that
he would have to change his methods
Of business. This conversation. So it
is said, made Mr.. Bynum very angry,
and resulted in many angry remarks
between the two men.
1t seems that Mr.. Bynum came to
the office OF the firm ON Wednesday,
and spoke of filling new orders, which
had come in during the week, and also,
suggested that the firm buy neW sup
piies, which were needed for the new
wear. To these suggest ons Mr.. Afford
IN l1n off "a
business would 20 considered Til.
something definite was known as to
the future intentions and conduct of
MIR Bynum, that a dissolution Of the
firm was necessary and suggested to
Mr. Bynum TO either buy or sell. These
conversa tions necessarly ~ brought the
relations of the partners to an acute
stage
Mr. Bynum went to the office of the
firm yesterday morning and SO the re-
port goes on entering drew his pls-
toI firing three shots at Mr.. Afford,
two of which took effect After the
shooting Bynum lied the scene ana up
TO the hour of going to press he has
not been apprehended.
Nir. Afford, who was 20 years OF
age, and who was senior deacon in the
First BAPTIST church of this city. was
At once taken to Rex HOSPITAL There
his wounds We're dressed by the sur
2eonS in attendance. DR. r. S Nc |
Geachy had gone to the office ana Or. |
IL. A. Royster Joined him at the hos |
pital. The surgeons found three |
one bullet max ng two sep
arate wounds. Two shots took eject |
in the right of the body, one of the
balls entering Just below the right /,
shoulder. went entirely through The
body and came aut three inches below |
tile shoulders blade and five inches he /
hind the arm-pit. The fatal wound