The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-12-14
White MEN MURDER NEGRO,
COCKFIELD AND GASKINS MUST
ANSWER TO ACCUSATION OF
MURDER.
Testimony Before COrOners Jury Is
That Special Policeman Shot Ne
gro.

lohSo came 10 MS death from gun
shot or pistol-shot wound at the
hands OF Will j. Cockneld and that
j. Ill. V. Gaskins was accessory after
the fact. was the verdict returned to-
night by a coroner's jury of some of
the best men of this town inquiring
into the killing on Sunday morning
OF negro attache of Walcott's
shows. The jurors We're: j. S. Nc
Clam, foreman; S. w. Gowdy, c. r.
Deaver. w. II. Askins. C.. Nj. Kelly,
l.. r.. Truluck. w. +. Jordan. j. c.
Gaskins, ID. NJ. Epps. Jos. NJ. Ealdy,
$. ID. Caldwell. s. NJ. Askins and c.
G. Richardson. Upon this verdict
these two white men must answer to
the charge of numbering the negro.
Since Sunday the determination of
the best white men that the law must
be vindicated has been increasing
and quiet and steady and persistent
investigation has been going on.
When the inquest began almost every
place OF business in town was de-
serted and more earnest throng
was never seen here than the crowd
which gathered in the court room.
Having regained confidence that they
would be protected. witnesses who
were silont Sunday talked today. So
licitor Stoll conducted the examina-
ton and 15 witnesses were called
upon.
/ The substance of the testimony di-
| rectly In point was as follows:
j. H. V. Gaskin was acting chief
of police. He was authorized by
Mayor Blackwell to appoint special
policemen IL necessary, but was eau
toned to select only sober men. He
appointed several who are notorious
for their drinking habits and rowdy
characters and among those ap.
pointed was Will j. Cockfield. There
was talking to another negro and
these policemen.
About 1 o'clock Henry Alfonso, a
negro attache of Wallcott's shows,
who was assisting In moving the show
| property to the cars. sat down on the
show grounds by a fire to warm. He
was laughing when Will Cockfield
came up and said something about
shooting. Cockfeld said: Are you
laughing at me. niger? you don't
believe would shoot you?" To this
Alfonso replied. Yes. boss, I believe
you would shoot me-" Jerking his
pistol from his overcoat pocket,
Cockfield fred at the negro, who
ducked his head and the bullet went
over his head. Just as Alfonso raised
his head. Cockfeld fired again the
bullet striking the negro in the left
eyebrow. Alfonso fell backward
dead.
This was the testimony Of two
white boys who were eye witnesses
and their statements were corrobo-
rated in numerous details by other
witnesses.
j. III. V. Gaskins testified that he ran
towards the fire where the shoot
ing took place and just before ne
reached the dead man he saw Cock
. field come from under a nearby shed.
He asked Cockfield three Tins be-
fore getting reply: where was
that shooting?'. and CockReld said
Towards the railroad" Cockfeld
went off In a different direction. He
did not qcestion Cockneld nor at
tempt to arrest him.
Other witnesses who went to the
dead man swore they saw Cockfield
round house near the scene.
Gaskins' own testimony and that of
several others pointed to the fact
that Gaskins knew that Cockfield shot
the negro. yet made no attempt TO
arrest him, and even assisted him in
getting out OF sight.
IL was further testified that imme
diately the magistrate reached the
scene Gaskins insisted that the in
quest be held at once, notvithstand-
ing the confusion and the midnight
hour and volunteered TO act as con-
stable In getting the jury, and did
summon jury. Among those thus
summoned were w. G.. Goodwin and
g. X. Bowen. both policemen. 1t is
not shown that any one else was con-
nected with the killing further than
the evidence that w. Il. Goodwin was
standing by Cockhcld when the deed
was committed. but was not connected
any closer than this with the kill
ing itself
To the finding OF the jury not a
dissenting voice has been heard The
. testimony Wac pnp,fn.ino,