The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-11-07
William, S. Ruff Foully
Murdered Saturday Night

east end OF the mouse are lHo "Iht1l'
rooms used by Ruff as living rooms,
and it was in one Of these little rooms
fronting Main street tiia- he slept and
where he kept the little trunk which
had been priced open and ransacheu.
Ruff lived in the building alone. 1t
is said that about II o'clock On Sdrur-
day night some one passing noticed a
light in the store room, and that there
were some negroes in the store room
at the time.
The counter behind which Ruff was
evidently standing when ne was muir
dered runs across the rear side Of the
store room, and the body 0as found a.
the east end of this counter, near the
fireplace. The gruesome discovery
was made on Sunday morning by a
negro boy who had gone to the we'll
lust in the rear Of the building 1or 4
bucket of water. The back door was
partly open, and the BODY was in plain
view from the we'll. The negro I'M
mediately gave the alarm, and OIL
GERS of the law, and many others were
soon on the scene. Coroner John
Henry Chappell, Sheriff Buford, Con-
stable T. P. Adams, Constable Cannon
G. Blease and Magistrate Sample were
all soon there, and making every Ell
fort to discover some clue which would
put them on trail of the guilty party or
parties.
The front door was closed, out was
not locked, when the body was dis
covered. Ruff was dressed, and a wet
shaving brush on the premises leads
to the supposition that he had not long
finished shaving. The body was colo
and stiff; so that the killing occurred
some hours before daylight, probably
some time about midnight.
No lights were burning in the build
inc when the body was discovered.
It is hardly probable that Ruff had
anv large amount of mon y in the
building, though it is said he some
times took in a neat little sum on Sat
urdays. A larger trunk, in which ne
kept his clothes, was not touched, and
this has led to the belief that the deed
was committed by some one who was
familiar with Ruffs manner of living
and the place where he kept his
money.
Ruff had been merchandising in the
city and later in the outskirts OF the
city. where he was killed, for gooo
many years. He was man quiet and
peaceable in his habits.
He leaves no family, being unmar-
ried. He was a brother of Col. David
A. Ruff, who lives in the st. Philips
community, about eight miles east OF
Nevberry. The remains were Inferred
a. St. Phillips, near his former home'
en- Sunday afternoon.
The Inquest.
Coroner John Henry Chappell en-
panelled jury Of inquest on Sunday
morning, with Mr.. J. H. Summer as
foreman. The jury was sworn ana
viewed the remains, and the inquest
was then adjourned until $50 o'clock
Monday afternoon. The adjournment
was taken for the reason that no eVl-
dence was available on Sunday morn
ing which might lead to the perpetra-
tor of the deed, and it was hoped that
some clue might be found. The Diners
have been diligent in seeking such
clue.
Inquest Adjourned.
Coroner John Henry Chappell stas-
ed to the jury of inquest Monday ar-
ternoon that he had several clues ne
was working on and stated he world
want another week to work theme out
and the inquest was adjou: Il to m@e-
next Monday at $50 p. m.
Coroner Chappell is working had
son this case and with his experience
in this class of work he will probably
find some evidence worth while.
Difficulty in Same Section.
Just across the street from where
Ruff was murdered, Mrs. Spehl, widow
Of the late Theo. Spehl, was struck in
the head on Saturday night by some
one in her little store room. Her in
iuries are not very serious. 1t Is SAID
that several men stopped at Mrs.