The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1906-07-05
BY NIB. RlsBT st. U}VAR
VINO is Himself Seriously Wounded in
the Shoulder. The Shooting Vas
causedb Some Business Trou.
BILE Between the Two Men
Brewing Sometime.

A most deplorable tragedy was en-
acted in the streets Of Orangeburg
shout eleven o'clock last Friday moSn-
ing. resulting In the death OF Nr.
Jas. IT. Parks, Of Columbia, and the
serious wounding Of Mr.. Robt. d. Co
var, Of this city. These two gentle
men met in Church street, IN the
rear of the Courthouse, and without
exchanging many words went TO
shooting each other with the result
above described. The tragedy caused
q great shock to the entire communi.
ty, and for a time business vas almost
suspended and nothing was talked
about hardly but the terrible occur
renee that had resulted in the death
of one gentleman and the desperate
wounding of another.
1t was about eleven O'clock when
several pistol shots rang out in rapid
snccessian, which startled every one
who heard them. The shooting DID
not last but few seconds, aud no one
could say how many shots were ex-
changed between the two comoa5anCs,
30 rapid was the firing. It is supposed
that eight or ten shots we're fired IN
ali. AS soon as posaible people hurried
to the scene after the pistols had been
emptied. Immediately after tho shoot'
ing Mr.. Parks wsssesn slowly walking
backward and sideways towards the
Northwest corner Of the Courthouse
Square and Mr.. Covar slowly following
him. both gentleman apparently re-
loading their pistols.
When Mr.. Parks reached the corner
he crossed over Church street and en-,
tered the Law Office Of Messrs Bowman
Z & Bowman. Wnen he reached the
Office he gave his hand to I. W. Bow
man, Esq, who was standing In bis
Office door, having gone there on hear
ing the pistol shots. Just before
raachsng the Office be had surrender
ed his pistol to Mr.. A. Z. Fairey. AT
this time Mr.. Parks did not seem
to be badly hurt, but he was
very pale, and said to those who
haa gathered that be was fatal
" shot. Mr.. Parks sat down IN
. chair, and 1t soon became apparent
that he. vas seriously hurt. He was
examined az physicians who st tirst
thought that he was not, fatally
hurt but after being removed to
ths residence Of bis brother.in.lsW
DR., j. 81. Percy clear, aud care.
full examination made, 1t was found
that he was shot completely through
the body and the attending physicians
pronounced the wounds fatal. Mr..
Parks was hit In three places. One
ball entered his chin and two sSEucK
him in the stomach, one passing clean
through his body and lodging just
under the skin on the other side. He
was conscious up to half past nine
O'Clock, but about that time his ulino
began to wonder and at hall. past
twelve O'Clock the end came.
= Immediately after the shooting Mr.
A. @. LindstedJ tcok Mr.. Covar'S
pistol. About this time Mr.. CoVar's
father came UP and commanded bis
son to stop, which be old and turned
from following Mr.. Parks and was
carried to his Cfics, where he Wss
examined by physicians and found 10
have been hit In two places. Oie
ball passed completely through nis
right shoulder an1 another stSuck
him in the right hand, shooting otf
his thumb nall. Another ball passed.
through his hat, but old not tAuoh
his head. Several bullets struck the
store of the Orangeourg Hardware
Company On the corner OF Russell and
Church Streets. Those balls must
have come from Mr.. Parks pistol.
and indicates the position OF tho con'
baliants 81 the time OF the firing. MI
Coyar was removed to bis home.
where he now lies suffering from bis
wounds, which are quite painful snc
may result seriously.
In the excitement incident to sue"
q aeplorable sffair statements Var!
and it has been quite a difficult matter
TO obtain the facts. Some Ct the
nearby witnesses state that they are
unable to say which OF them tireo the
first shot. Others say that Mr.. Parks
spake TO Mr.. Covar and appeared tn
ask him a question. The reply from
Mr.. Coysr seemed to be affirmative |
and then Mr.. Parks struck him II the |
face with his fist. One or the ether
fred and both pistols were emptied In
an incredibly short time. When the
shooting took place Mr.. Covar was IN
his shirt sleeves, and carried bis pisto
buttened up in his shirt. One thirg
is certain both men expected q oltfi
Guilty and had prepared for it.
The trouble seems to have been
caused by q business trouble between
the two gentlemen. While MI. Park
resided in OrsngeburC he owned aud
published The Patriot newspaper.
Mr., Covar moved here from EdgefeId
county TO take charge Of the mechsn
ical work of the paper for Mr.. Parks,
and was In his employ tor several
wears, during which time they seemed
TO beon the most pleasant and init
mate terms.
When MI. Parks moved to Colum
bis about two years ago Mr.. Covar De
came interested in the business, and