The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-05-09
SKOT NAN AND WOMAN
FOR REFUSING BREAD
Mrs. Rosa Bessinger and Walter San
difer Killed by E. T. Grimsley in
Columbia.


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 con-
&ducted the place, refused to give an
Extra roll of bread with bowl OF
Eoup ordered by Grimsley. There are
many conflicting statements and many
rumors, and whether or not Grimsley
was drunk has not been determined
by the authorities.
The shooting took place shortly al
= ter O'Clock. Walter Sandlfer was
shot and almost instantly killed, two
Shots taking effect in his lungs. Grim
gsley, according to Frank NJ. High, fired
: pn Mrs. Btessinger, who had just en-
Eered the store from the kitchen. She
! was hit in the abdomen. She was hur-
ried to the Columbia hospital, where
: She died shortly after O'Clock. The
! inquest will be held at the police sta
ton this afternoon at 3 o'clock by
Coroner WalkSs. ':'~. sS.
Witnessed Shooting.
Frank M. High, q veteran of the
Confederate Home, vas the only
known witness to the shooting.
81 had just stepped into the restau-
rant" said Mr.. High, "and was stand
ing at the counter talking to the man
behind the counter (sandifer). He
was cutting up some onions. 1t was
not later than $50 o'clock. I don't
Remember the exact time. I was talk
fng to sandifer, and the lady (Mrs.
Bessinger) came in and spoke to ME.
I had taken meals in the place sew
seral times with them, and they both
knew me. She went back into the
kitchen, where there were some ne
groes. The kitchen is the adjoining
room. This man (Sandifer) was
standing there talking to me across
the counter.
Grims1ey Entered.
s'This man (nneaning Grimsley)
came in the front door of the res
taurant, and without speaking word,
threw his pistol by my shoulder and
fred at sandifer. Sandifer fell behind
the counter. The man (Grimsley)
then walked around behind the
counter and shot Sandifer, ly-
ing on the floor dying, a second
time The man (Grimsley) then turn
ed his pistol on the woman and fired
twice. Sandifer never raised a hand
against the man. He did not have
time to, for the man shot too quick.
\ 1t was all unexpected. The man
Grimsley, without saying a word, left
tthe store. Mrs. Bessinger fell to the
floor and screamed, and I got out of
the place.
Cause of Tragedy.
According to various witnesses and
it is said, according to the dying state
ment of Mrs. Bessinger, Grimsley
went tor the Acme restaurant yester-
day morning shortly before II o'clock.
He ordered a bowl of soup. Mrs. Bes-
singer gave him one roll with the
soup. It is said by witnesses that,
Grimsley said that two rolls should
be; given with one bowl of soup. There
was a dispute over the question. 1t
is said that Grimsley left the place
about 1890 o'clock, and that Mrs.
Bessinser 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 James T. Sloan on Main
street, between 8 o'clock and 3.5o
O'Clock, and purchased 20 cartridges
of .3S calibre. 1t is said that he show
ed a pistol here and that he placed a
B new ball in the pistol and left the
store hurriedly. A few moments lat
er he committed the deed.
Man Was Arrested.
After shooting Sandifer and Mrs.
Bessinger, Grinlsley left the restau-
rant and walked across the street,
/ where he tried to get into hack. He
was stopped by J. c. Jackson, q 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