The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-05-04
MYSTERIOUS CASE IN SALUDA.
Pope HaVird Claims to Have Been
Ambushed by Five Men, Who
Killed His Mule.

The State.
Pope B. Havird, a white man liv-
ing about 10 miles from here in the
Havirdsville section, claims that while
plowing in his field Friday afternoon
about 5 O'Clock, he was fired upon
from ambush by five white men, as he
neared the end Of the field next to
the woods, and as a result Of the fus-
iiade the mule he was plowing was
killed. Havird escaped unhurt, al
though he claims that the parties who
killed his mule were trying to muir
der him.
He says he recognized two Of the
party as Fred Golf and Joe Rhine
hart, two young men who are close
neighbors Of Havird. He further
says while not 50 positive he believes
the others were Walter Rhinahart,
Andrew Mitchell and a son Of Ben
Brooks.
The sheriff and his deputy went
to Havird' s home yesterday morning
to arrest him under warrant issued
some time ago, charging him with
trespass after notice, and placed him
in jail.
According to Havird, after his
mule was killed he left for Prosperity,
II miles away, on foot and from
there wired Gov. Al sci for blood
hounds and also asked for protection
at the hands of the governor. The
bloodhounds we're sent up on yester-
day mornings train to Prosperity.
The guard in charge Of the dogs, ae-
companied by Havird, reached Hav-
ird's home yesterday about the time
the sheriff got there. The dogs struck
trail near where the mule was lying
dead but it seems ran each time IN
the direction rather Of Havird S
home. Nothing was accomplished
and the hunt was called off.
There is considerable doubt in the
mind of most Of the people Of this
county as to whether Havird really
was ambushed, as he says, or whether
he himself killed the slule, as move
to gain sympathy. Havird is now un-
der bond on the charge of killing a
negro about 10 years ago.
Havird is in jail here tonight and
expresses great anxiety for the safety
of his family in his absence. When
arrested today he was armed with a
magazine pistol and large improved
Smith & Wesson.
For Is years or longer Havird has
been having trouble with his neigh
bors and it is a common saying that
it is a wonder some one has not long
ago killed him. A few years ago he
was shot by John YarboroQgh and
had to have an arm amputated as
result Of the wound.
He is now charged with killing a
negro 10 years ago and burning his
body. A true bill was found against
him at the December term Of court
but the trial was postponed, that
motion for change Of venue might be
considered.
Judge Shipp two weeks ago filed
an order granting the change Of venue
and the case will be heard at Edge
field at the next term of court.
The guard who went there today,
Sheriff Sample and Deputy Padgett,
express grave doubts as to the truth
of Havird's statements about being
waylaid and five men shooting at him
at so close range and missing him,
yet every charge entering the mule s
body.
The whole affair is, to say the least,
mysterious.
No one so far aS can be learned
believes Fred Golf and Joe Rhinehart,
the two Young men whom Havlrd
saws he recognized, had anything to
do wit. the shooting Of his mule.