The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-11-24
NEGRO KILLED IN FLORENCE.
Chief of Police Shoots Prisoner Who
Attacks Him.

Florence, Nov. 22.-Chlef of Po-
lice R. Herman Cain, of this city, shot
and instantly killed Richard Sparks,
negro prisoner, in the city prison
about 3 o'clock this afternoon, and
thereby saving himself from being
killed by Sparks.
Richard Sparks, the dead negro,
was causing trouble yesterday after
noon over in North Florence, and
Chief Cain was sent for to subdue
the boisterous darky. Soon after
reaching the place of trouble the
chief arrested Sparks and attempted
to take him to the city station
house. Sparks became violent and
struck the chief several severe
blows over the head with his fist, and
the chief finally had to use his club
in his effort to subdue him and place
him under control. The chief then
started on with his prisoner, after
first taking from his (Sparks's)
person a pistol, towards the station
house. Sparks made another effort
to release himself, by knocking the
chief down and was striking him a
number of severe blows. The chief
then called to one Peter Brown, a
negro, to assist him in getting
Sparks under control. Brown came
I'D but gave him no assistance, but
took hold of the chiefs club, thereby
leaving him at the mercy Of Sparks.
The chief then called another negro,
Richard McCleneghan, who is en-
ployed by the water works commits
sion, and he assisted the chief and
the two men carried Sparks to the
station and locked him up.
To-day the case against Sparks
was called in the mayors court, and
three separate counts were entered
against him, one for disorderly con-
duct, another for carrying concealed
weapons and the other for resisting
arrest. On each count Sparks was
found guilty and fined 500, on each
count, or $500, with an imprisonment
for failure to pay fine of thirty days
on each count or ninety days. Sparks
failed to pay the fine and was rein
carcerated.
This afternoon, about O'Clock,
Chief Cain visited the station to see
that the place had been thoroughly
cleansed, when Sparks requested that
he be allowed to get some water to
drink. The spigot being in the cor
ridor, Chief Cain unlocked the cell
and told Sparks to come out and get
it.
AS soon as the cell door was un-
locked Sparks told Cain that he had
beat him yesterday and was going to
finish him Up right there and then'
and made a dash at the chief, strik-
ing him in the face and knocking
him to the floor. Sparks then at
tempted to Jump on him to finish him
up, but the chief had the presence OF
mind to draw bis pistol and fired
four shots at Sparks, one ball enter
ing the head and passing through the
skull, another striking him in the ab-
domen, lodging therein, the other
two going wild. Sparks fell dead and
Chief Cain Immediately surrendered
himsef to the mayor, delivering to
him his club, badge and pistol.
Peter Brown, the ngro who failed
to assist the chief in making the ar
rest, was fined s25 or 80 days for
not doing so. This fine was paid.
Coroner Cooper empanelled jury
shortly after the tragedy and the
verdict was that Richard Sparks
came to his death from gunshot
wound in the hands of R. Herman
Cain, chief OF police of the city OF
Florence, while in the discharge OF
his duty and in the defence of his
life
Sparks was originally from Ma
rion, S. c., and had been here only
a few days. He was drinking con-
siderably yesterday before he was ar
rested by the chief. His body is at
the station house, and will be turned
over to the authorities for burial in
the Potter's Field, unless claimed by
relatives.
AS a result of the encounter be-
tween Sparks, Chief Cain is consid-
erably battered up over the head,
face and body, but is able to be at
his post of duty. He regrets that II
was necessary for him to have to Kill
Sparks, but did it simply to save his
own life.
Fired on Women.
Lapeer, Mich, Nov. 22.-Milit1a-
men guarding the State home for the