The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-07-28
MAYOR MURDERED BY BOMB
A. H. BOUSMAN, OF RIDGEWAY,
BLOWN TO PIECES.
Unknown Hurls Bomb at Victim
Sleeping in Hammock and Es.
capes-Reward Offered.

Ridgewav, Va, July 25.-The as
sassination last night of Mayor A. H.
Bousman, aged 55, who was killed
by the explosion of dynamite bomb
hurled under the hammock in which
he was sleeping in his front yard, has
aroused and mystifed the inhabi-
tants of this village and the sur
rounding country.
The crime, unprecedented in this
section of the country, had appar-
emily been carefully planned by its
perpetrator, whose identity the au-
thorities or members of the victims
family have been unable even to
guess at.
The dynamite bomb which tore
the body of Mr.. Bousman to pieces
was thrown from the street in front
of his home about 10 o'clock at night.
The charge of dynamite in the bomb
must have been a heavy one, because
Mr.. Bousman's body was badly torn
to pieces. A part of the fuse of the
bomb was to-day found on the roof
of the Bousman residence where it
had been blown by the force of the
explosion. On the sides of houses
60 feet away blood had been spat-
tered and bits of flesh adhered to
the walls. Bits of the body also were
found on the roof of an adjoining
house.
Recently Retired.
The murdered man is survived by
wife mad a son of 12 years, both
of whom are prostrated by the MUIR
der. Mr.. Bousman had been offered
the nomination but declined to accept
the honor. His term, however, had
not expired. He was actively engaged
in farming and was a large grower
of cabbages. John o. Coan, prom
inent tobacconist, of Winston-Salem,
n. c., is brother-in-law of the dead
man. Mr.. Bousman was connected
with prominent families in Henry and
Franklen counties and in other Sec
tions of Virginia.
Mr.. Bousman had been spending
the hot evening sleeping in ham
mock swung between two trees on the
lawn in front of his residence. With
out a word of warning at about 10
o'clock the dynamite bomb was
thrown by some one passing along
the street. It landed in the ham,
mock at his feet and in an instant
exploded. The mayors feet were torn
away by the bursting shells and his
legs frightfully mutilated. In great
agony he died an hour later.
No Clue to Assassin.
Although the town authorities,
when notified of the murder, made
every attempt to discover the assassin,
no clue could be found and it is be-
lieved he escaped without being seen
by any one. The news quickly spread
about town and excitement grew to
high pitch. The surrounding COM
munity to-day is worked up over the
murder and it is believed if the per-
petrator of the assassination is caught
he would be summarily dealt with.
AS mayor of Rodgeway, Mr.. Bous-
man presided over the police court
of the town trying petty cases. 1t is
thought that some person upon whom
Mr.. Bousman in his court had passed
sentence held grudge against him
and had been awaiting opportunity to
wreck violence upon the mayor. This
opportunity came last evening when
the mayor lay sleeping in the open
air.
A Previous Attempt.
While returning from his farm IN
the country to the town week ago,
some unknown person hurled an ex-
plosive at Mr.. Bousman as he was
riding past some woods. He told
friends of the occurrence but they
treated the matter as joke and it
was not given serious thought until
to-day.
At a special meeting of the town
council this afternoon reward OF
$500 was offered by the town for the
capture of the murderer. The gov
ernor of the State and authorities OF
Henry county will be asked to dupll-
cate the amount. 1t is believed friends
of Bousman will offer personal re-
wards.
The Bamberg Guards returned last
Thursday morning from Chickamau-
-. ,,,horo tboy had heen in camp