The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1909-01-13

Mrs. Thomas Wingard the Intended
Victim-Fails in His Fiendish Pur-
pose and is Run Down by Sheriff's
Blood Round-Sheriff CorIey Re-
ceiyes Wound from Negro's Pistol.
One OF the foulest crimes ever at
tempted in this county was that of an
unknown negro brute who attempted
to criminally assault Mrs. Thomas
Wingard, wife of a prominent and in
fiuential farmer Of the Providence
section, on last Wednesday evening
about dark.
Mrs. Wingard was in the closet,
which is located a short distance from
the house, and just as she made her
exit the negro sprang at her with
both hands, barely escaping her body.
Mrs. Wingard screamed and the
would-be-rapist made off in the dark
ness. Mrs. Vineyards daughter was
standing on the back porch and saw
the negro when he made the attack.
The screams Of the two women at
tracted the attention of Mr.. Wingard
and his son who were at the barn
feeding the stock fer che night. They
rushed to the house at once and were
not long in spreading the news of the
outrage.
The father sent for DR.. Wingard,
while the son carried the news to
nearby neighbors. A gentleman, who
happened to be passing on mule,
came for the sheriff. Sheriff Corley,
always vigilant and prompt, hurried
to the scene with his bloodhound, ar
irving at the Wingard home about
three-quarters of all hour after the
negro's departure. The dog was not
long in taking up the trail and the ne
gro was tracked through the planta-
tions of P. H. seay, George Roberts
and J. J. Fox, when the faithful
hound brought him to bay just at the
edge of 1S-mile creek. When Sheriff
Corley got within about fifteen feet
of the negro he was fred upon. At
the first shot from the negro's pistol
Sheriff Corley raised his gun and
fred as rapidly as possible, firing six
shots in all. The second shot from
the negro's weapon struck Sheriff
Corley in the groin, inficting slight,
but very painful, wound.
Sheriff Corley, believing that he
had fatally wounded the man and
that his body could easily be found
next morning, returned to Lexington
to ascertain the extent of his injuries
and to secure medical attention,
should the same be necessary.
Upon the Sheriff's return to the
spot he was unable to find any trace
of the supposed dead man, but hat,
with part of the crown shot away,
was found. 1t is conceded by many
that the posse who was hunting for
the negro, captured the man, finished
the job and disposed of his body.
Sheriff Corley has made dilligent
effort to locate the body, for he is sat-
isfied that his shots were effective,
and in the hopes of finding the body
has announced that he will give re-
ward of fifty dollars for the recovery
of the body or for any information
leading to the identity OF the party or
parties who moved it from where he
is satisfied that it should have been.
Perhaps the greatest mystery in
connection with the whole affair 1s
the identity of the negro. Mrs. Wing
ard did not recognize him and it is
stated most positively that none of
the negroes in the surrounding Sec
tion are missing.
Mrs. Wingard was not harmed fur
ther thsn the shock and her attending
physician, DR.. Wingard, states that
she is doing as well as could be ex-
pected. She is about So years Of age
and has been almost an invalid for
several years.
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