The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-10-06
LYNCH WHITE Man
Who Brutally Murdered Another On
Account of Trivial Matter
MILITIA REACHED SCENE TOO LATE
John Morrison Kills Will Floyd, a Far
ner's Son, Because the Latter Re
fused the Loan of Ten Cents.

fison, a white man who killed VIII
Floyd, a leading farmers son OF that
place, was lynched at Kershaw Satur-
day night In response to a telegram
from NJ 2yor Walsh. of Kershaw. Cover
ROT Hayward ordered the Kershaw
guards from Camden to the scene. but
the soldiers arrived on a special tran
about an hour too late.
The murder of Floyd was particular
ly brutal, this being Morrison's fourth
killing. He told others that he was
going to kill Floyd and quarreled with
him when the latter declined to loan
him 10 cents. The Governor received
q telegram at us p. m. from Mayor
Walsh, of Kershaw. asking for assist
ance. The Governor, after falling 10
get Sheriff Hunter. OF Lancaster. called
up Capt. Zemp. of Camden, and ashea
him to carry the Kershaw guards to the
scene on a special and at the same
time wired Mayor Walsh:
IT am trying to arrange transporta-
ton for a company from Camden. WIRE
me Immediately how matters STAND.
Let me know If you still need COM
pany."
Capt. Zemp assembled his company
while the special engine was being nred
I'D and in the meantime tried to get In
communication with Sheriff Hunter.
who Zemp said was on his way from
Lancaster to Kershaw.
STORY OF GOVERNORS EFFORIS
The story OF Governor Heyward's Ell
forts to save Morrison for fourth
;,,r,x to fold fhnS.
The first telegram Governor Hey
ward received was the following:
ITO Governor Hayward:
Man killei here. danger OF Iyncn-
ing. Send Kershaw guards here I'M
mediately.
(Siened) 81. V. WELSH, Mayor"
Governor Hayward then tried to get
Sheriff Hunter over the phone, but
found there was no phone connection
to Lancaster. He then called up Capt.
Zemp, at Camden, and instructed MIN
10 arrange for special for the ker-
shaw guards to go to kershaw. 1ne
Governor wired Sheriff Hunter as foi-
lows:
Mayor OF Kershaw reports lynch-
ing threatened at Kershaw and wants
company from Camden. l understand
you are on the spot. Wire me cono!-
tions, and whether company is neeoeo.
Captain Is now arranging for. transpor
tation and waiting to hear from you.
Not hearing the Governor ordered the
company OF in the following telegram
to Captain C. Zemp:
Report with your company to Sher-
III Hunter at Kershaw. Go fully pre-
pared to protect prisoner, and ADVISE
me fully upon arrival.
APPEAL FROM VICTIMS WIFE.
Governor Heyward at this time re-
ceived this message:
"Help save my husband from lynch
ing.
MARTHA ]. MORRISON"
This went to Sheriff John P. Hunter:
'Kershaw guards, Captain ). Y.
2emp, ordered to report to you Are
now on way to Kershaw.
fs;gnedl ID. C. HEYWARD,
Governor"
Governor Hayward received news
from Mayor Walsh. which reads:
"Mob took prisoner from guard
house. Sheriff Hunter is present
Sheriff Hunter telegraphed from the
scene. chartered train at Lancaster
Arrived here too late, mob had taken
prisoner from guard house. policeman
jnforms me he was overpowered oy
parties to him unknown. Have en-,
deavored to learn direction the moo
went, but could get no information
win remain here and do all in my pow.
er to apprehend the guilty parties. VIII
let YOU hear from me later.
At teh same time the Governor was
advised over the telephone that Capt
Zemp was about to leave Camden with
his COMPANY. Captain Zemp then un-
dergtood that Morrison had been lynch
cd and wanted instructions. The GOV.
ernor told him to wait until Snerin
Hunter could be heard from and to
wire Sheriff Hunter himself. Governor
Howard wired as follows:
ITO Sheriff Hunter:
"Your wire received; have just nearo
company still in Camden; captain
'ohones me he hears party lynched. Ds
YOU need company: Wire me quick.
Governor Hayward then received tne
following:
"Party taken from guard house sup,
nose5 to have been lynched. NO neeo
for military company now. Will let you
hear from me later. ,,
(Signed) HUN ihn IL
Governor -,Heyyard at once calieo
Camden, but was informed by the oper,
ator that the military company nae
left for Kershaw and thereupon tne
Governor sent the following:
"Your last telegram received
Through misunderstanding company IL
ON way to Kershaw. If lynching nas
occurred. apprehend lynchers II pos
sible" ...-as
The incident began closing towards
midnight. From Zemp:
grave arrived in Kershaw anu re-
norted to Sheriff Hunter, but TOO iaoe
would like to return.
tSgned) .. y. NI
TO Zemp. ,,;-e
"Tf Sheriff Hunter does not require
vour company. you can return. prompt. I
ness of yourself and command muen
appreciated. ,,,u-.Dn