The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-10-14
COLD BLOODED MURDER.
Chris Porter, Colored, Shot and
Killed By Will Simpkins,
Colored.

Chris Porter. colored, was shot and
killed on Tuesday evening, in cot
ton field on Mr.. J. C .Hipp's place i'll
this county, by Will Simpkins, also
colored Sheriff Buford was on the
scene soon after the negro had died,
but Simpkins had been allowed to
walk away unhindered, and immediate
pursuit was utterly useless.
A hastily called jury was assembled
in the field just as darkness set IN,
and there, gathered around the rigid
chastity thing which had been Chris
Porter, by the lurid light of pine
torches, it was found that another
human being, fugitive from justice,
had stamped his own face with the
mark of Cain, and that horrible and
unjustifed murder had been done.
The testimony went to show that
SimpKins had approached Porter with
petty quarrel over most trivial
matter. and with a heavy
weapon pressed almost upon the
vitals of the unarmed man had COM
mitted the most dastardly crime,
save one, Of which depraved mankind
is capable Though bo.h parties
were negroes there is great deal Of
comment on the deed because of its
utter wantonness.
The following testimony was
heard:
Elisha Dennis, being sworn, said:
I live on the Fellers place, in New
berry county. Saw the shooting.
Will Simpkins come into the field
and asked Chris Porter why he had
let his hogs chew up his, Slmpkln's,
quilt. Chris told him that Mr.. Hipp
hadn't said anything about the hogs
being out, and that he, Will, had moth
ing to do with it. Will Simpkins
told him to "don't talk back to him.
and came on to him and shot him. 1t
happened at about four-thirty p. m,
in Mr.. John Hips field, near Ebe-
nezer church, on October II, 1904.
Chris Porter lived about three quar-
ters of an hour after the shooting.
Couldn't say whether t.le deceased
and Simpkins had ever fused before.
Simpkins walked away after the
shooting. He previously cooked his
pistol to shoot a second time but l
told him to desist.
(Signed) Elisha Dennis.
Dan Glider, being sworn, said:
live in Newberry. Was picking cot
ton in the field with Chris Porter
Will sinpkins came out in field and
asked Chris Porter why was bis
hogs out and tearing up his, Simp-
kins', quilts. Porter told him that
Mr.. John Hipp hadn't said anything
and Simpkins told Chris he wanted
none of his big talk about it. S'rnp-
kins walked to right down within
four feet of Porter and shot him.
Porter said after shooting, "Will, I
amt said nothing" VIII Simpkins
cooked the pistol again. I told him,
"Don't shoot him" He turned and
went on back across the field. 1t
hapoened at about four-thirty. Simp-
kins came from the direction OF Mr.
Hips house. Simpkins carried a
pistol habitaually. He picked cotton
until dinner of the day Of shooting
He has lived on Hips place since
| December.
(Signed.) Dan Glider.
The coroner's jury rendered YER
dict that Chris Porter came to his
death from a pistol-shot wound, in
the hands of Will Sin,pkins, from
which he died. Said Chris Porter
died on October II, 1904, in the coun-
tv of Newberry, state of South Caro-
lima. That the aforesaid Will Simp-
kins him the said Chris Porter, in
the manner aforesaid, did then and
there feloniously kill against the
peace and dignity Of the same state
aforesaid.