The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-07-24
KILLING OF COPELAND.
Facts Connected With The Depdorable
Tragedy Near Clinton--The In.
quest.

The Laurens correspondent says Of
the killing Of Elbert F. Copeland by
S. Wash Hunter, near Goldville:
The shooting was the result of a
dispute over cards, the principals to-
gether with two others, R. Lee Huh
ter and Ross d. Leake, having played
all night. The tragedy took place in
small store-house at the home of R.
Lee Hunter, brother of Wash Hun
1ter, the slayer of Copeland. Wash
Hunter went to his home, mile and
half distant Immediately after the
killing. It is understood that he is
willing to give up after things get
quiet, but Sheriff Duckett will like
ly get him tomorrow.
Coroner Watts held an inquest.
Testimony Of r. Lee Hunter and Ross
Leake, eye witnesses Of the whole af-
fair, was taken. Both stated that
Copeland and Hunter had hot words
over the game when Copeland, who
was a cripple, struck Hunter with
his crutch, almost knocking him down,
and at the same time drew his knife
and declared he would cut Hunters s
throat. Quick as II flash Hunter drew
his pistol and shot five times, four Of
the shots taking effect, three in the
left side and one in the temple. He
died instantly.
Two other young men Of the vicin-
| ity were with the gamblers until late.
but had left before the difficulty oc-
Cured. 1t is said that all parties were
d'.rking. All pa,''es involved are
among the wail.to do citizens of tn.,'
community. Elbert Copeland wes -
and unmarried. He was son Of
Mr. Adolphus NJ. Copeland Of Clinton,
one Of the best citizens Of Laurens
county.
The deceased was buried at Clinton
Thursday afternoon. Hunter is an
older man, and is also unmarried. c..
c. Featherstone represented the State
at the inquest while w. r. Richey ap-
peared for the accused. Large crowds
visited the scene during the day.
Another Account.
Clinton, July l9.--An awful trage-
dy was enacted this morning about t
o'clock just four miles below Clinton
on the Columbia, Newberry and Lau-
rens railroad. In small storc-housc
almost in the edge of R. Lee Hunters 5
yard. Mr.. Ebb Copeland was shot to
death by Wash Hunter. In this little
store-house where this crime was com
mittcd it is said various articles are
sold by the proprietor, Mr.. r. Lee
Hunter. 1t seems that Mr.. Lee Hun
ter was in town. as he is almost cv-
cry afternoon Mr.. Ebb Copeland, who
conducts Il market here, went home
with Hunter presumably to have q
game of poker. They, with Mr.. Ross
Eeakc, Wash Hunter and perhaps
others, stopped i'll piece of woods on
this side of Mr.. Lee Hunters house
and engaged in a game Of poker
from evidence brought ont in the
cononcr's inquest, about , or 4 o'clock
and continued until about 6 and then
repaired to this little store. r. Lee
Hunter, the proprietor, Mr. Ross
Lcakc Of Clinton, who lives with Mr.
Hunter, Mr. Wash Hunter, who is
no stranger in Laurcns county, and
Mr.. Ebb Copeland, the murdered man
were the participants. Almost at break
Of day and as the game still wore on
now in favor Of one, now Of the other
Mr.. Wash Hunter and Mr.. Ebb Cope
land became involved in an altcrca-
ton over the game, in which Mr.
Copeland lost his life.
Only two witnesses testified at the
toroncr's inquest. There were Mr.
Ross Lcakc and II. Lee Hunter, who
testified to practically the samt
thing. about as follows: That Mr.
{ Wash Hunter and Mr.. Ebb Copeland
who has been a cripple all of his life
had but n stump of a leg and went OF
a crutrh, became engaged in an alter
cation in which Mr.. Copeland, witt
his c,ulrh. knocked Mr.. Hunter tt
his knees, whcrcupnn he also drew hi,
knife ami said he would cut Hunter,
d..--d throat. II was then that Hun
ter drew his glm and br@an t" shoot
anti! he had shot five times. four OF