The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-05-21
LEXINGTON POSSE
PURSUING NEGRO
SHERIFF CORLEY SHOT By
PLANTATION CRCpPER.
Sheriff was Severely Wounded-Hua-
dreds c. Angry Citizens Look
ing for the Fleeing Negro.

Lexington. May l9.-Sheriff P. H.
Corley is lying at his home suffering
from desperate gunshot wound,
while a posse of several hundred de-
termined men are securing the entire
country hunting for his assailant, Ed.
Bynum, a negro whom the sheriff at.
tempted to arrest at an early hour
this morning.
Bynum was a "cropper'' on the
plantation Of Mr. ". c. Caughman.
about mile and a half from town.
Yesterday the negro gave up the crop,
it is said, and Mr.. Caughman ordered
hands to 60 to his fei1 this morning
and take charge of the crop. Bynum
interfered and ran the hands out of
the field with his gun. Mr.. Caughman
had a warrant issued for his arrest
and the SANE was placed in the hands
Of Sheriff Ccrley for execution. When
the latter went to the house of By
mum to serve the warrant the negro
shot the sheriff through window,
with about No. 4 shot. Sheriff Cor
ley returned the fire with his rifles,
but owing to his crippled condition
the ball went wild. The entire load
took effect in the right side Of the
face and in the breast. The right
Land is completely iddled with shot.
When the sheriff saw that the negro
was going to shoot he threw his hand
to his face and this in all probability
saved his life.
Bvnum escaped at once. The news
spread like wildfire in sage field
and in less than an hour the inhabi-
tants Of the whole country around
were on the scene. The sheriff $
b9odhounds and the bloodhounds
from the chain gang were taken to the
house, but failed to carry the trail
successfully and at O'Clock the dogs
from the penitentiary were brought
over in Mr. Gilbert Rockefeller's au-
tomobile in charge Of Capt. Roberts,
but nothing has been heard from the
party since the dogs were taken to the
scene. If the negro is caught it is safe
to say that he will be lynehed.
All kinds Of reports have come to
town since the shooting. The negro
has been tracked to Bars, little
station about four miles above Lex
ington, it is said, and it is reported
that he secured a mule from his broth
er and made his departure. He is a
desperate character and has been in
trouble before. He is described as be-
ing a bright mulatto about six feet
tall, and weighs about $50 pounds.
Sheriff Corley is resting as we'll as
could be expected and the outcome
of his injuries cannot be determined
at this time. Sheriff Corley is one
of the most popular officers the county
has ever known. Brave, resolute and
determined, he has proven terror
to the lawbreakers, and that he should
be shot down by fiend while in the
discharge Of his duty has shocked the
entire community. Many have been
the anxious inquiries about his condi-
ton today.
Not Caught Yet.
Lexington, May 19.-Ed. Bynum,
the negro who shot Sheriff Corley ear
ly this morning, is still at large. A
telephone message was received from
-Lykesland late tonight saying that
negro answering the description pass
ed there this afternoon about 4
o'clock. Another report is that he
was seen with his brother in the Hol-
low Creek section. The whole coun-
try is aroused and every clue is being
run to earth. It is becoming more
evident that if he is caught no human
power can preevnt lynching.
Sheriff Corley is resting easy at
this hour.