The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-05-11
MURDERED AND WOMAN
MRS. ROSA BESSINGER AND WAL
TER SANDIFER KILLED.
Dispute at Noon and Young Man
Goes Back and Deals Death
Shortly After 3 O'clock.

Ernest F. Grimsley, young white
man, is in the Richland county jail
charged with killing Mrs. Rosa Bes-
singer and Walter Sandifer.
The double tragedy was enacted
yesterday afternoon in the Acme res
taurant and grocery store, 1919 Tay-
lor street, just off Main street and
was caused, it is said by witnesses, by
the fact that Mrs. Bessinger, who
conducted the place, refused to give
an extra roll of bread with bowl OF
soup ordered by Grimsley. There are
many conflicting statements and
many rumors, and whether or not
Grimsley was drunk has. not been de-
termined by the authorities.
The shooting took place shortly af-
ter 8 o'clock. Walter Sandifer was
shot and almost instantly killed, two
shots taking effect in his lungs
Grimsley, according to Frank M.
High, fired on Mrs. Bessinger, who
had just entered the store from the
kitchen. She was hit in the abdomen.
She was hurried to the Columbia hos
pital, where she died shortly after 6
o'clock. The inquest will be held
at 8 O'Clock by Coroner Walker.
Witnessed Shooting.
Frank M. High, veteran OF the
Confederate Home, was the only
known witness to the shooting.
"I had just stepped into the restau-
rant" said Mr.. High, "and was
standing at the counter talking to
the man behind the counter (Sandi-
fer.) He was cutting up some onions.
1t was not later than 1880 o'clock
I don't remember the exact time.
was talking to Sandifer, and the
lady (Mrs. Bessinger) came in and
spoke to me. had taken meals in
the place several times with them,
and they both knew me. She went
back into the kitchen, where there
were some negroes. The kitchen Is
the adjoining room. This man (San-
difer) was standing there talking to
me across the counter.
Grimsley Entered.
"This man (meaning Grimsley)
came in the front dor of the res
taurant, and without speaking a
word, threw his pistol by my shoul'
der and fired at Sandifer. Sapdifer
fell behind the counter. The man
(Grimsley) then walked around be-
hind the counter and shot Sandifer
lying on the floor dying, second
time. The man (Grimsley) then
turned his pistol on the woman and
fred twice. Sandifer never raised
hand against the man. He did not
have time to, for the man shot to1
quick. It was all unexpected. The
man Grimsley, without saying q
word, left the store. Mrs. Bessinger
fell to the floor and screamed, and ]
got out of the place."
Cause of Tragedy.
According to various witnesses
and it is said, and according to the
dying statement of Mrs. Bessinger,
Grimsley went to the Acme restau-
rant yesterday morning shortly be-
fore 12 o'clock. He ordered bowl
of soup. Mrs. Bessinger gave him
one roll with the soup. It is said
by witnesses that Grimsley said that
two rolls should be given VITA one
bowl of soup. There was a dispute
over the question. It is said that
Grimsley left the place about 1880
O'Clock, and that Mrs. Bessinger and
Walter Sandifer thought no more OF
the matter.
Bought Cartridges.
According to testimony in the
hands of Coroner Walker, Grimsley
went to the store of Jas. T. Sloan on
Main street, between o'clock and
$3.50 O'Clock and purchased 20 cart
ridges of .38 calibre. It is said that
he showed pistol here and that he
placed a new bullet in the pistol and
left the store hurriedly. A few mo-
ments later he committed the deed.
Man Was Arrested.
After shooting Sandifer and Mrs.
Bessinger, Grimsley left the restau-
rant and walked across the street,
where he tried to get into hack. Ade
was stopped by J. G. Jackson, po-
liceman. Grimsley held his pistol In
his hand, and, according to Police
man Jackson, he had thrown out five
empty cartridges and reloaded the
pistol. Mr.. Jackson said that Grims-