The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-05-07
WHITE MAN REFUSED BAIL


GROVER G. WELSH, SLAYER OF
1OBLEY, STILL IN JAIL.
Application Made Before Justices of
Supreme Court.-Affidavft
of tile Defendant.
COLUMBIA, April 3O.-Bail has
again been refused a whiteman charg-
ed with murder. The application of
Grover C. Welsh, who shot and killed
Berry B. Mobley. was made to the
Justices of the Supreme Court yester-
day afternoon and the order refusing
the motion was filed to-day.
On the 24th of February, this year,
on a train between Kershaw and Lam
caster, Welsh shot and killed Berry
B. Mobley, who had previously shot
and killed Welsh's brother, Steve
Welsh, and his cousin, Thomas L.
Clyburn. Welsh claimed that the
shooting was in self-defence and that
Mobley had tried to kill him as he did
his brother.
The affidavit of the defendant,
Grover C.. Welsh, presented to the
Court, states that with his uncle, W.
U. Clyburn, he took the train at Ker-
shaw, intending to spend the night
in Lancaster and 60 next morning to
Chester to- consult Solicitor Henry
about the prosecution Of Berry B.
Mobley for the killing Of Steve Welsh
and Clyburn; that after talking
awhile with his uncle and Senator T.
Y. Williams he sat down in front of
two ladies and conversed with them
until after the train left Heath
Springs. At that point he saw Berry
B. Mobley and Zed Robertson board
the train, but as he had seen Mobley
several times since the killing Of his
brother, and did not think Mobley
had any animosity towards him, he
did not expect a difficulty. That hav-
ing bad headache he got up and
started to 60 to the smoking compart-
ment in the rear of the car, and saw
Mobley walking down the car aisle in
front of him. AS Robertson reached
for the door knob Welsh swears that
Mobley threw himself between Rob
ertson and the door, wheeled, level
led his pistol at the defendant and
fired. Defendant struck at Mobley's
pistol with his left hand, jerked him
around and at the same time flred
three times at Mobley's head. Mobley
was jerked around, says the defend:
ant, and in this way the shots entered
the back of his head. Deceased fell
about the time Of the third shot. De-
fendant declares that he thought his
life was in danger, and when he shot
believed and still believes he would
have been killed by Mobley had he
not fired.
In addition to the affidavit of the
defendant the principal testimony for
the defence is given by Hon. I. Y.
Williams and by Mr.. W. U. Clyburn,
uncle of the defendant.
Senator Williams in his affidavit
states that he was returning from
his official duties at Columbia on the
evening of the 24th Of February, the
day the General Assembly adjourned:
At Kershaw w. u. Clyburn and
Grover C.. Welsh took the train and
deponent sat down to talk with them.
Welsh shortly after moved his seat
and began to converse with the two
ladies mentioned. At Heath Springs
several persons boarded the train,
among them Zed Robertson, but de-
ponent did not recognize Mobley. At
Pleasant Hill he heard a shot and
then three other shots fired. Saw
Mobley and Welsh in a difficulty.
Welsh caught hold Of Mobley and
jerked Mobley so as to throw the
back of Mobley's head toward the de-
fendant, and fired three times. Heard
Welsh say: "You killed my brother
for nothing and now you have tried
to kill me-" Welsh, with his uncle
and deponent, went to Lancaster and
Welsh surrendered to the sheriff.
Turned his pistol over to deponent;
one empty chamber, one loaded cham
Der and three discharged shells were
found in it. Later deponent made
examination of the car and found
bullet mark in the roof. where it is
claimed the bullet from Mobley's
pistol took effect. :,
W, u. Clyburn corroborates the
affidavit of Mr.. Williams and also
that of Welsh.
An affidavit from DR.. j. A. Rut-
ledge states that Mobley had three
bullet wounds in the back of his head,
and also a wound on the hand.
Zed Robertson, who was Mobley,s
companion, in his affidavit states that
when Mobley saw that Welsh was on
the train he insisted on getting off at
Pleasant Hill. That he and Mobley
were going out of the car, towards
the rear door, when deponent re-
ceiyed push or shove from the rear
and was pushed down between the
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