The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-01-02
ANOTHER SAD TRAGEDY

ANUluEk DAD IAAuEU1
DIFFICULTY BETWEEN NNEIdHBORS|
HAS TERRIBLE END.
]. ]. England Shoots and Kills w. II.
Garner Stock Running at
Large Caused Trouble,
Avery sad tragedy occurred in the
Edisto section of this county, only a
few miles from Branchville, late last
Friday afternoon or about dark.
W. H. Garner was killed and j. j.
England was wounded, though not
seriously. The killing was the result
of shooting afray between Garner
and England, both being young
white men, farmers, and prominent
in the community in which they lived.
AS is always the case, there are two
versions of the difficulty. The kill
ing occurred at or near the house OF
Garner. He and England live not
very far apart. :,
However, it appears that there had
been bad blood between them for
some time and possibly threats.
What started the trouble does not
appear, but recently Garner had shut
up some stock for running at large
upon his fields and last Thursday
nicht some one broke open the stable
where they were confined. Garner
was in Bamberg on Friday and while
here his family shut up some other
Stockton trespassing. Thatafternoon,
after Garner returned home, a negro
named Peter Hammond came for the
stock, MIR. England having given him
one dollar to pay the charges. That
Garner inquired of the negro as to
who had turned the stock out the
night before and upon the negro not
telling he went to beating, him. That
England had been duck hunting, and,
hearing the difficulty, came over, and
upon his appearing on the scene
Garner Immediately shot at him with
a pistol and shot gun. England re-
turned the fire with gun loaded
with duck shot, shooting Garner in
the stomach, he dying from the
wound early next morning. Physl-
clans from this place attended him,
and although everything possible was
done, the wound was mortal, several
of the intestiness being perforated
by the shot. England Immediately
came to town and surrendered to the
sheriff and is now in Jail: His at
torneys are now preparing the papers,
and application for bail will be made
in few days. He contends Of course
that he fired in self defence and to
protect his own life.
This is the case for the defense as
we have been able to gather it. Cor
oner Zeigler held an inquest Satur-
day. but up to Tuesday evening he
had not filed the testimony in the
clerk of courts Office, therefore we
have not been able to see any OF the
sworn statements. ..,.
The dying statement Of Garner,
however, is in the clerks office, and
in this he says that he was shot first
by England. That the negro insulted
him and he hit him with q stick and
that England then shot him and IN
flicted the wound. That he did not
have a gun, but that his wife brought
his gun from the house and he fired
at random.
The prosecution also claims that
the negro demanded the stock with
out the money, and that Garner had
been greatly troubled by stock tres,
passing upon him and had consulted
lawyer in regard to his rights or
what action to take, and that the
stock had been shut up on legal ad-
vice.
England was hit in the shoulder by
shot. but he is not seriously hurt,
it being only flesh wound. Several
shot also lodged in his clothes and
went through his hat. Gamers gun
was said to have been loaded with
buck shot.
The affair is a most unfortunate
one. Both parties to the difficulty
were married and have families. and
had been neighbors for several years.
How much better itwould have been
had their differences been settled
amicably so that no blood would have
been shed. AS it is, a husband and
father is cold in death, and another
is wounded and in prison to be tried
for his life. How sad, how sad!
AS to the statements above, they
are what we have been able to gather
from various people. The whole
facts of the matter will no doubt be
made public at the trial, which will
no doubt take place at the March
term of court. Our sympathies go
out to all concerned.
Garner was originally from North
Augusta, but married a daughter OF
the late w. J. May several years ago,
and had been living in the Edisto9
section for some time. His aged