The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-07-25
OUTRAGE AT sUNIMERvILLE

). III. Keines, a Storesseeper, Brutaliy
Assaulted Suspect Under
Arrest.
summerville, July 22.-Mr. ]. H.
Helms moved to summerville some
time ago from Mount Pleasant, it is
understood, and opened general
merchandise business on Carolina av-
enue near the old Town Hall. Last
night about twenty minutes Of mid
night, mulatto man about six feet
in height, weight between $50 to $50
pounds, with a V-shaped scar on his
forehead, entered the store and at his
request was shown some handker-
chiefs by Mrs. Helms, but not being
able to obtain the KIND he particularly
desired, left. After one or two Gus
toners had come and departed Mr..
and Mrs. Helms, as is their custom
nightly, examined the premises for the
purpose of being satisfied that there
were not persons. secreted therein,
they then closed and fastened the Car
DINA avenue entrance .and left the
store through the back door for their
residence, which is but few feet be-
yond.
Mrs. Helms, with small child in
her arms, preceded her husband, who
was behind, carrying a lantern in his
hand, up the piazza steps, and, upon
hearing noise, turned and saw man
strike brutally her husband on the
side of the head, the blow causing him
to reel and fall>over against one of
the piazza pillars.
AS Mr.. and Mrs. Helms left the store
there was no one visable, this assali-
ant being probably secreted in the
dark on the side Of the store building.
Mrs. Helms Immediately screamed out
and called for assistance and in few
minutes the neighbors gathered and
as one OF them rushed in the front
gate he was jostled by a party leaving
TIE garden, but not being eognizant
at the time of what had happened, he
gave the Incident no attention. 1t was
discovered upon examination that Mr..
Helms had been struck on the side Of
his face and head with a large stick,
the cash on the head being severe
and painful one, and in addition sew
eral of his teeth being knocked out.
Upon the alarm being given the as
sailant escaped for the night.
Chief of Police T. R. Waring, upon
being notified, went promptly to the
scene OF the crime and kept UP the
search throughout the night and the
greater part Of today. He arrested
mulatto man who has been around the
town for a week, whom he found IN
Grovermann's lane asleep, not far
from the Helms store. The man gave
his name as Luke Talbert, claimed to
have recently come to Summertime
from Florida, had been to points in
Virginia and that his home was in
Greenwood. Upon being asked as to
the V-shaped scar on the forehead, he
stated it was the result Of blow
from an axe in the hands Of relative
at Greenwood years ago, but as to
other matters he was exceedingly ret
icent. Talbert, upon being taken by
Chief Waring to Mrs. Helms, was iden-
tifed as the tall mulatto man who en-
tered the store about 20 minutes be-
fore closing, ostensibly to purchase
handkerchiefs, and she stated, it is
understood, that he corresponded, in
her opinion, with the person whom
she saw strike her husband. Talbert
is now in te lookup.
Mr.. Helms injuries, while painful
and severe, are not necessarily dam
gerous, and he appears to be getting
on nicely under the circumstances this
afternoon.
Mrs. Helms IS the daughter of Mr..
j. A. Abbey, postmaster at st. George
and niece of Mr.. Richard Cook, of
this place.
Fort Valley, Ca, July 22.-Two