The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-07-30
MAYOR MURDERED.
"A. III. BOusman of Ridgway, Va,
Blown to Pieces.

Ridgway, Va, July 25.-The assas-
sination last night of Mayor A. Fl
Bousman, aged SIS, who was killed
| by the explosion of a dynamite bomt
| hurled under the hammock in which
he was sleeping In his front yard, has
aroused and mystified the inhabitants
of this village and the surrounding
| country.
| The crime, unprecedented in this
section of the country, had apparent
| ly been carefully planned by it's per-
petrator, whose identity the authori-
ties or members of the victims fam
| lily 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.. Bousmans body was badly torn
to pieces. A part of the fuse of the
bomb was today found on the root
Of the Bouseman residence where 1t
had been blown by the force Of the
explosion. On the sides Of houses 60
feet away blood had been spattered
and bits Of flesh adhered to the walls
Bits Of the body also were found on
the roof Of an adjoining house.
The murdered man Is survived by
wife and a son Of IL years, both
OF whom are prostrated by the mur-
der. Mr.. Bousman had been offered
the nomination but declined to ac-
cept the honor. His term. however,
had not expired. He was actively en-
gagged In farming and was a large
grower Of cabbages. John o. Coan,
prominent tobacconist Of Winston
Salem, N. c., Is a brother-in-law Of
the dead man. Mr.. Bousman was
connected with prominent families in
Henry and Franklin counties and in
other sections Of Virginia.
Mr.. Bousman had been spending
the hot evenings sleeping a hammock
swung between two trees on the lawn
In front Of his residence. without a
word Of warning at about 10 O'clock
the dynamite bomb was thrown by
some. one passing along the street.
1t landed in the hammock at his feet
and In an instant exploded. The may
or's feet were torn away by the
bursting shells and his legs frightful-
ly mutilated. In great agony he died
one hour later.
Although the town authorities
when notified of the murder, made
eevry effort to discover the assassin,
no clue could be found and 1t 1. 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 today 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 Ridgway. Mr.. Bous-
man presided over the police court
OF the town trying petty cases. It Is
thought that some person upon whom
Mr.. Bousman In his court had pass
ed sentence held a grudge against
him and had been awaiting opportu-
nifty to wreak violence uopn the may
or. This opportunity came last eve
ming when the mayor lay sleeping in
the open air.
While returning from his farm in
the country to the town a 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 a joke and 1t
was not given serious thought until
today.
At special meeting Of the town
council this afternoon a 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 dupn-
cate the amount. 1t is believed
friends OF Bousman will offer person
al rewards.
Detectives and bloodhounds are ex-
pected here from Roanoke.