The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-12-08
TWO WHITE MEN CHARGED.
COCKFIELD AND GASKINS MUST
ANSWER FOR MURDER.

Testimony Before Coroner's Jury is
That Special Policeman Shot
Negro at Lake City.
Lake City, Dec. 6.-That Henry Al
fonso came to his death from a gun
shot or pistol-shot wound at the
hands of Will J. Cockfield and that
J. H. 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 attaehe of Wollcott's
shows.
Stores Closed.
(, Since Sunday the determination Of
the best white men that the law must
be vindicated has been increasing
and quiet but steady and persistent
investigation has been going on.
When the inquest began almost every
place of business in town was de-
serted and a 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 silent Sunday talked to-day. So
licitor Stoll conducted the examina-
ton and Is witnesses were called
upon.
The Testimony.
The subject of the testimony di-
rectly in point was as follows:
J. H. v. Gaskins was acting chief
of police. He was authorized by
Mayor Blackwell to appoint special
policemen If 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. Cockleld. There
was more or less drinking among
these policemen.
Shoots the Negro.
About O'Clock Henry Alfonso, 9
negro attache Of Wollcott's shows,
who was assisting in moving the, show
property to the cars, sat down on the
show grounds by q fire to warm. He
was Asiking to smother negro and
was laughing when Will Cockheld
came up and said something about
shooting. Cockfield said: Are you
laughing at me, niger? You don't
believe would shoot you?" To this
Alfonso replied, Eyes, boss, believe
you would shoot me-" Jerking his
pistol from his overcoat pocket,
Cockfeld fired 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.
Gaskins' Testimony.
J:H.V. Gaskin testified that he ran
towards the fire where the shoot
ing took place and just before he
reached the dead man he saw Cock
field come from under nearby shed.
He asked Cockfield three times be-
fore getting a reply: Where was
that shooting?," and Cockfeld said:
Towards the railroad" Cockfeld
went of in a different direction. He
did not question Cockfield nor at
tempt to arrest him.
Other witnesses who went to the
dead man swore they saw Gaskins
Immediately after the shooting go
of with Cockfield round house near
the scene.
Gaskins' own testimony and that OF
several others pointed to the fact that
Gsskins knew that Cockfeld shot the
negro, yet made no attempt to arrest
him, and even assisted him in getting
out of sight.
Wanted Inuue4t at Once.