The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-05-27
TWO MEN SHOT
in a Bad Row in Co'umbia's Dis
trict of Vice
SERIOUS ENCOUNTER

Caused by Two Penitentiary Guardc
Being Troubled by Two Men Of
Tough Reputatfon-One of the
Participants is Badly Wounded and
May Die From His Wounds.
A serious row occurred in the
redlight district of Columbia last
Sunday morning, which resulted in
! two men being shot. The State says
two penitentiary guards and two men
of bad reputation became involved
in a serious encounter. AS a result
Eber Ashford lies in dangerous
condition in the Knowlton infirmary,
W. E. Mellette, penitentiary guard
is wounded in the thigh and Lonnie
Hal, and John White are in arrest.
The story given by the police is
that Hall and Ashford, both of the
tough element, had been annoying
Mellette and White, who were on d
frolic, it appears. The actual en-
counter is alleged to have occurred
on Gates street, midway of the block
between Lady and Gervais. The po-
lice were Informed that Lonnie Hall
knocked Mellette down and appro-
priated his pistol. Thereupon he was
called by White. Hall knocked
White down and some one began
shooting. There were three shots,
is is stated, and two of these struck
Eber Ashford, who had not mixed
up in the melee. The third struck
Mellette.
Ashford is dangerously hurt, one
bullet having entered his left side
and ranged upward, loding near the
heart. The other wound in the groin
is not of such a dangerous nature.
Mellette was shot in the hip. There
were powder burns on Lonnie Halls
shirt, showing that he must have
been close to the mouth Of the weap-
on.
Ashfords condition at midnight
Sunday night pa' reported to be
little more hopeful. The bullet has
not been located, however. He is a
brother of the young man who was
juror in the Sellers trial, and was
brought before the bar Of the court
on the charge of contempt, it being
alleged that while drinking he had
done some talking about the case.
Eber Ashford has never been In
any real trouble before, but less than
80 days ago Detective Forde found
him loafing constantly around no
torious place on Gervais street and
warned him that he would be ar
rested for vagrancy. Ashford was
in bad company.
Lonnie Hall is terror. A man
short Of normal stature by several
inches, he is yet one of the most
powerful men in the city. He has
been in numerous escapades and en-
counters. The police in Columbia
arrested him once on the charge Of
, highway robbery committed in Geo7-
gia. At one time Officer Forde at
tempted to arrest Hall aid the latter
drew knife. The officer broke his
night stick over Halls head and a
desperate encounter resulted. There
were three policemen in the encoun-
ter before Hall was jailed and at that
he was chased across the river bridge
and into Lexington county.
Mellette lives in Columbia, 1114
Divine street. He was employed as
penitentiary guard about week
ago and Capt. d. J. Griffith consider
ed him good man. He was engag-
ed at the State farm in Lexington
county. Mellette has brother on
| the police force.
John White had been a guard at
the State farm several years. Pri-
or to that time he had been guard
, at the asylum and had been dis
, charged by DR.. Thompson for tip
: ping, taking part of the Whiskey
intended for the patients on the
, ward He has good record at the
, penitentiary and Capt. Griffith was
, grieved to hear of his trouble. He
was fine guard; humane to pris-
oners and man of rare judgment, :"
said Can't. Griffith.
Lonnie Hall tells different story
from that received from the police.
He says that it was not until after
White had shot Ashford that he
knocked White down and took his
pistol away from him.
Both pistols are at the police sta
ton. Both are loaded all around.
Therefore, unless third pistol was
used the discharged cartridges were
removed and fresh ones placed in
their stead. Both Of the pistols
at the station are Smith G Wesson
.3S calibre, bu one shoots long
and the other short cartridge.