The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-06-22
ACCIDENTAL HOMICIDE.
MIR. r. Orlando Wicker Accidentally
Killed by Mr.. Caldwell Ruff at
Latter's Home.

An unfortunate QOQllclue occurred
in the county Sunday morning be-
tween eight and nine o'clock when
Mr.. T. Orlando Wicker was shot by
a. pistol in the hands Of Mr. Caldwell
Ruff, which was accidentally dis
charged.
Mr.. Wicker is a young man, unmar-
ried, about "A years Of age, and lived
with his widowed mother about ten
or eleven miles east Of Newberry on
the Pomaria road. He is a grandson
Of the late Thomas Y. Wicker, Of
Newberry. Mr.. Ruff is a son Of Col.
D. A. Ruff and a young man with
a family.
The testimony which we print here
with gives all of the facts so far as
we know them. The burial Of Mr..
Wicker was held yesterday at Beth
lehem church.
Coroner Felker held the inquest
Sunday morning taking with him
Constable C. G.. Blease. Sheriff Bu-
ford also went out to attend the IN
quest.
Mr.. Ruff yesterday afternoon ap-
peared before the coroner and was
admitted to bail in the sum Of $1,000,
this being according to the verdict
Of the jury a case Of accidental kill
ing, the coroner under the statute has
permission to grant bail. Coroner
Felker, however. communicated with
$olicitor Cooper at Laurens before he
acted:
The Testimony.
DR.. z. 7. Pinner, sworn says: |
was called about 9 a. N. this morning
to Mr.. Caldwell Ruff's. Message con-
veying that Mr.. Bub Wicker was
shot. I reached Ruff's house about
9:15,, found Mr.. Wicker lying on
front porch dead. I examined body
and death caused by-certifcate here
! to affixed. I certify that Orlando
Wicker came to his death by bullet
wound in right side Of neck, passing
internal carotid artery, causing IN
slant death.
(Signed) z. T. Pinner
Loamma Ruff, sworn says: [ was
sitting on keg on front porch Of Ca:d-
we'll Ruff's house. I heard pistol fire,
Bub Wicker said, addressing Cald-
we'll, "You have shot me-" Bub
said, phone to doctor quick as you
can. I was laying on my hand, fac
ing road. Caldwell was some where
about door. There was no dispute or
fuss before shooting. don't know
why Bub came up this morning. He
comes here occasionally. I don't
know why Caldwell had pistol out,
neither the size Of same. Bub was
sitting down, Caldwell standing up.
John Nance was on piazza. All three
of us were sitting in row. We were
sitting on left hand side Of piazza. l
did not see pistol until shot was fired.
I heard it, I was not asleep. I nevg
heard Caldwell say anything when he
walked ont. Bub leaned over when
shot. Caldwell was in front hall
door. Bub came by himself here.
Been no fuss. I do not know why he
went back and got pistol. Caldwell
never carried pistol at all. Wicker
had no pistol.
! (Signed) Loamma Rutt.
Johnnie Nance, sworn says: Cald-
we'll Ruff, Bub Wicker, Loamma Ruff
and myself were sitting in porch talk
ing and laughing. Caldwell Ruff went
in house and came ont to door, pistol
fired. Bub Wicker said, send for doc
tor quick. Caldwell Ruff unbreached
pistol and said, Lord, I didn't know
this pistol was loaded. There was no
: dispute before then at all. OnoC ureu
! between 8 and 9 o'clock.
(Signed) John Nance.
/ John Nance. recalled: Ruff first
phoned for doctor and then sent ne
gro for him. I don't know which way
he went. We were sitting on piazza
when Bub came up. There was no
words or feeling at all. I do not re-
member whether they spoke or not.
It was half hour after Bub came up
until Caldwell went in house and got
pistol. No words at all to cause me
to think there were hard feelings. l
was here last night. Bub did not stay
here last night Caldwell did not say
'anything about him going away.
Strange he left. Ruff said wouldn t