The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-08-31
e. L. LEAvELL KILLED.
Shot on Tuesday Evening at Vaughn
vile by B. w. Goodwin

eu Ill CHe puDllc fOau Ut auSnnYllie
at about 7 o'clock on Tuesday even
ing by Mr.. b. w. Goodwin. Mr..
Goodwin came to NewberIy on We'd
nesday morning and surrendered to
Sheriff Buford. ..:
The shooting occurred in the pub
lie road very short distance from
Mr.. Goodwin IS home. Mr.. Leavell
was driving home and as he passed
Mr.. Goodwin s house Mrs. Goodwin
stopped him. There were words be-
tween Mr.. Leavell and Mrs. Goodwin,
when Mr.. Goodwin came up, and the
shooting occurred.
The only eyewitness was Mrs.
Goodwin. She was sworn at the coro-
ner's inquest, and her statement is
published, From what can be gath
cred it seems that the trouble arose in
regard to the Vaughnville school. The
board Of trustees, of which Mr.. Lea
veil was a member, had elected a lady
teacher, and Mrs. Goodwin had Isl gn-
ed petition protesting against this
teacher taking charge. 1t was to this
petition that Mrs. Goodwin refers in
her testimony.
According to the statement of Mrs.
Goodwin she went out to the road to
ask Mr. Lcavell if he had said that
she had forged names to the petition,
and he told her he had not said so
but that she had acted "dirty'
about it. Mr.. Goodwin heard this
and came up, she says, and after fur
ther words Mr.. Leavell struck Mr..
Goodwin with his buggy whip, and
Mr.. Goodwin fred.
Mr.. Goodwin 5 affidavit, on his ap-
plication for bail, will corroborate
Mrs. Goodwin's statement. but going
more into details. Hon. Cole. t..
Bleasc has been employed to defend
Mr.. Goodwin and will make applica-
ton for bail before Associate Justice
Eugene B. Gary, at Abbeville. on next
Monday.
The dead body of Mr.. Leavell was
left lying in the road all Tuesday
night, and was found there by the
coroner on Wednesday morning.
He was n brother Of Mr.. r. Y. Lea
veil, Of this city, and DR.. Hayne Lea
we'll, of Houston, Texas. He had many
relatives and friends in Newberly,
who sincerely mourn his death. His
wife and seven children survive him.
Following is the testimony taken at
the coroner's inquest:
The Testimony.
Mrs. Bette Goodwin sworn says:
Wife of Whit Goodwin Was at home
yesterday. Leavell passed at 7 o'clock
evening going towards his home. I
stopped him. When I stopped him
asked him about things concernin.
my character. | said. "Mr. Leavcll,
I understand you said | forged that
petition. He said, "I did not say any
such thing, but you have acted dir
ty about it, Mr.. Goodwin came out
and said, "Eugene / want to know
why You talk to my wife that" He
said, "You are low down scoundrel,
you are at the bottom of the whole Of
it, and hit him three or four licks
with buggy whip and jumped out
buggy and threw up his hands and
Mr.. Goodwin shot him. Nothing else
said. He turned around and put whip
in buggy and started to get in. Mr..
Goodwin then walked in the yard.
Horse and buggy went on down road.
Mr.. Leavcll eased down to the ground
and horse walked off as if some one
was driving it. Mr.. Goodwin on OPP
posite side road from home. Mr..
Goodwin was not out there at the
road when Mr.. Lcavell came up. On
ly one Slot fired. Mr. Leavell right
at buggy when shot was fred. Mn
Goodwin does not carry pistol all the
time. Did not make practice carry
ing it around farm. Struck with sharp
end whip. What I have said is all that
was between them. Near each other,
and Mr.. Lcavell was reaching as if
to take hold of Mr.. Goodwin. Took
hold with right hand. Live in New
berry county. Mr.. Goodwin was sit
ting on portico when I hailed Mr..
Leavell Did not go with me out
there, and don't suppose he would
have come out there if he had not Of
heard Mr.. Leavell say that [ acted
dirty about the thing. a short time
hoPora 7 cow, AR Toovo1l ooinu to