The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-01-07
ANOTHER NEGRO KILLED.
The Pistol Was Handy and Was U.s.
ed-Apparently No Cause for
the Killing.

Sam SCeZler >:lnt and killed Clarence
Bates. beth cDiure,. The testimony
taken at uhe coroHer's inquest is "lv-
Ell in this connection. The inquest
was held on Saturday. The coroner
was accompanied by the sheriff. who
arrested Settler and brought him to
iail. where he now is.
1t does not appear from the testi-
:nony that there was any particular
motive for the killing. The two neg
10 boys nal been hunting during the
day ard some Of the witnesses say,
were friends. There is a little evi-
dence that they we're both IN love
with the same girl, but the differ
ence in their love affair did not seem
to nave been sufficient to warrant
The killing.
It is unfortunately true that mos;
Of the negroes in this country carry
pistols and that they have very lit
tie regard fer the life Of their fel-
lows and seem to be under the i'm
preston, which is true, that the only
use to which pistol can be put is to
kill their fellow beings.
The following is the testimony as
taken before the coroner.
! State Of South Carolina,
County Of Newberry.
Jim Mays being sworn says: Do
not know anything about killing.
Heard shot about half mile away. In
less than ten minutes I was there.
When I cot there saw nothing but
man lying on the floor. Saw no
pistol. Looked for it. I was there
when he was moved. Couldn't see to
him good enough to see pistol. Don't
know who moved body. Walt Davis
has Clarence Bates pistol.
his
Jim Mays.
mark
H.: Z. T. Pinner swc:n says: | ex-'
amined the dead body of Clarence
Bates. removing the skull cap and
find a bullet lodged in right and
front half Of brain. Bullet entered
just above the right eye piercing the
skull and injuring the brain tissue
causing death.
DR.. 4. T. Pinner.
Charlie Martin being sworn says: |
halped to move body Of Clarence
Bates. Did not see pistol lying un-
der body. About three hours after
shooting before I got here. Clarence
Bates was lying flat Of MS back
when I got here.
Marie Bates being sworn says:
Clarence is my brother. I was not
here. know that Sam and Clarence
were going to see Martha Robinson.
Clarence said Sam drew pistol on
him at D. Taylor's party. Sam did
not like Clarence. Dave Taylor took
Clarence out from his party to keep
from getting shot, They lad been
friendly before they started at Mar
tha Robinson. Sam asked for Clar-
ence yesterday morning and they
had been hunting together before
Christmas and were out hunting again
yesterday. Several weeks since they
fell out about Martina Robinson. They
appeared friendly to me. No fight
ing at Dave Taylor's as I know.
Signed, Marriee Bates.
Henry Widenan being sworn says:
I was mere yesterday when shooting
took place. Sam started to play with
me with broken lamp shade and I
told him to 60 away I didn't feel
like playing then. Clarence said
something to Sam. I didn't know
what. Had no pistol when playing
! with me, When they starten to play
with each other I saw both their
: guns. I don't know who pulled first
gun. Immediately on pulling guns
one fired. Was in yard when gun
fired. When I got in house I said,
Sam, you killed Clarence. l didn't
see pistal after the shot fired. Do
not know anything about fuss be-
tween Sam and Clarence. They SEEM
ed friendly yesterday. Had been
hunting together. We all three got
toeetner at Ell Hoard's house.
Signed, MS
Henry K Wideman.
mark.
Pearl Hoard being sworn says: L
-: ...:l oL,, o111pr oorn Ui1ln shot