The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-02-17
STARVED TO DEATH.
Bow Negro Escaped Trial in Court
at Columbia.
Was Wanted for Shooting Mt q Police
Omcer, But Preferred to
Starve to Death.

The Record says word was received
In Columbia one day last week that
Sam Harris, the negro who is wanted
Ia Columbia for attempted assault,
and battery, and who was caught in
Savannah some time ago, will not be
be returned to the city. The reason
is plain EN- ugh. Harris has starved
himself to death in the Savannah
jail, ending one of the most re m .rka.
BILE criminals with which the police
have had to deal.
Harris Is Columbia negro, and
while not desperately wicked, was
just bad enough to be continually in
the bands Of the police. About three
years ago In a raid by the police he
shot twice at one Of the officers and
dashed out of the house, which had
been surrounded by the police. "A
number Of shots were fired on both
sides, but Harris escaped and nothing
was heard OF him until about ten
days ago, when 1t was discovered that
he was at work on the chaingang In
Savannah. The authorities there
we're notified and preparations made
for his return, but the negro deliber-
ately refused all food until he was so
weak that 1t was necessary to send
him to the hospital and there he died.
The Savannah papers contain long
accounts OF the remarkable end Of
Harris, and the News has the follow
Ing:
'Onc OF the most remarkable cases
or suicide known to the Savannah
authorities was brought to light re-
Gently when Sam Harris, a negro
prisoner, died at the county Jail prac-
tically as the result of his self-imposed
starvation.
Exhibiting the most wonderful will
power in abstaining from partaking
Of food, the man slowly wasted away
until he was past all medical aid.
Harris enforced starvation was
the result OF being told several days
ago that as soon rs be completed his
sentence on the county, chaingapg he
would be taken to Columbia, IS. o.. -"
answer the charge ef shooting at q.
police sergeant some time previous to
the crime for which he was commit
ted last February.
With the expiration of his sen.
tence but ten days of he was rudely
awakened from his dream of liberty
about week ago by the boss at the
convict camn, where he vas confined.
From thapn0ur he grew morose and
refused to eat. No manner of per-
suasion could induce him to partake
Of food enough to sustain him and
slowly he wasted away.
Harris was arrested by Patrolman
r. B. Davis on Liberty and Elst
Broad streets in January, 1904. He
resisted while waiting for the patrol
wagon, and shot the officer in the leg.
He was rearrested and given twelve
months on the chaingang. and with
his time of for good behavior would
have been free man on February is.
About ten days ago the authorities
here received letter to hold Harris
when he was released, that he was
wanted at Columbia for shooting at q
police sergeant while resisting arrest.
The order was sent to the Plpc MAX.
eI's creek camp, where Harris was
confined, and the unwelcome news
was transmitted to Harris.
After fasting for a week the man
grew sick and his condition was such
that he was ordered placed in the hos
pital ward at the Jail, whore he re.
mained until his death. Tho county
physician said the case was the mos,
remarkable he had ever attended"