The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-09-04
THE ALABAMA HOMICIDE.
Details OF the Killing I'm Montgomery
In Which w. ii. Hunter Was Con-
cerned.


cerned.
Wade Hampton Hunter. young
man who says ne is from Sumter, is
In trouble in Montgomery. Ala, where
he Is In Jail on the charge of murder.
The Montgomery Advertiser in the
course of two column article on the
homicide, says:
while the two men were drinking
together In an apparently friendly
mood. Thomas NJ. Sumerall, boiler
maker. was shot and Instantly killed
sy Wade Hampton Hunter. broth
or boiler maker, at 3.S0 o'clock yes
terday afternoon at the saloon OF T.
T Trentliam, corner North McDo-
nough End Pollard streets.
Five shots from an improved six
chambered Smith & wesson revolver
.were pumped into Sumerall's body
while he sank lifeless to the floor in
front or the bar counter
Both had been drinking and there
had been III feeling between them
growing out of differences over union
matters. and. beginning with the
declaration OF Sumerall that he would
not work by the side OF Hunter, who
though he was union man didn't
possess union card.
"sumcrall had been looking for
Hunter during The morning with a
revolver In his pocket. Hunter had
been warned by his friends that ne
was in danger. The two met in Then
tham's saloon at IL a. M. and, in
presence Of the bartender, made up
their differences.
I'M ahe Midst OF the Drinks.
"The tragedy was enacted after
drinks aad been served to the men.
sumerar was lifting a glass OF lem
onade from the counter and Hunter
had just gulped down part Of the
contents OF a bottle of beer.
"'You called me a - this morn
ing. didn't you?" asked Hunter.
Yes replied Sumerall.
INSTANTLY Hunter, jerked his pistol
from his pocket and in rapid success
sion fred the five shots into Sumer-
all's body.
Hunter walked from the saloon
and was captured at the corner of
Hull and Pollard streets by Engineer
Pruitt of the Western railway. Mr..
Pruitt leveled a shotgun on Hunter
and held him until the police arrived
and took the prisoner to the county
Jail.
THE pistol used by Hunter was
found later underneath a negro house
near the scene OF the tragedy.
"As far as could be learned, the
trouble between the belligerent boil
ermakers grew out OF Sumerall's re-
fusal to work by the side OF Hunter.
Both were employed at the Western
shops. the former had been working
theie about two months and the
latter was given employment there a
month ago. but quit work few days
ago.
"Sumerall. IL Is said, was a member
in good standir~ or the boilermakers'
union. while Hunt had been a mem.
ber OF the same a..ion. but had failed
to pay his dues. He, therefore, did
not have his union card and was re-
garded by Sumerall as not being a
boilermaker in good standing.
Recently, It Is said. Hunter ap-
piled to return to work and. or hear
ing Of this. Sumerall declared that he
would not work In the same shop
with Hunter.
Sumerall Grows Turbulent.
"The trouble between the men grew
more intense Tuesday. 1t IL said.
Sumerall, addicted to strong drink.
and known as a turbulent character
when under the influence of liquor.
had grown vicious In his attitude to-
ward Hunter. while Hunter. ut the
same time. was attempting by every
conceivable means to recede from a
difficulty" -
"On the person OF the dead man
| was found a full loaded 3S calibre
Harrington and Richardson revolver
in his right front trousers pocket.
/