The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-11-01
LESTER GJNTER SLAIN BY COUSIN
Tragedy Occurs at Night ON Public
Road-Probably Outcome Of Pre-
IiOuS Trouble

Gunter, his third cousin. The tragedy
occurred in front Of the home Of Levi
Gunter and FIVE shots were fred. A
ball from 38-calibre Smith & Wes-
son revolver entered the side, ranging
upward, and lodged about two inches
below the nipple causing almost In
slant death.
From the evidence adduced at the
coroner's inquest this morning and
from what can be learned from the ac-
cused, it seems that the trouble first
had its origin about week ago, when'
it IS claimed, Lester Gunter and two
or three companions went to the home
of Ed Gunter, father of Levi Gunter,
and acted in very ungentlemanly
manner in the presence of the sisters
of Levi Gunter. 1t seems that the
trouble was renewed at the Baptist
church at Steadman yesterday, and,
according to the statement of Levi
Gunter, he was attacked by seven
Young men. Levi Gunter says that he
ran, being unarmed, in order to avoid
an encounter. Lester Gunter was IN
the party, all of whom, said Levi, were
under the influence of whiskey.
One Bullet Finds Mark.
Last night Lester Gunter, Glover
Hall and Clinton Corley, in a buggy
drove by the hone of Levi Gunter and
the last two were sworn at the in
quest this morning Glover Hall tesu-
fed that when they were about IN
front of Levi Gunter's house, Lester
Gunter said, "Boys, 1 believe l will
see if he wants to shoot" and gave
three wells. At this juncture, Hall SAID,
Levi Gunter came to the door OF MS
house and fired four or five times,
none of the party in the buggy return
ing the fire. and after driving short
distance Lester Gunter said that he
was shot and he expired few minutes
later. The two companions carried
the body of Lester Gunter to the home
of his brother, four miles distant
where the inquest was held this morn
ing. The testimony of the other young
man. who was with Lester Gunter at
the time of the shooting, is substantial
ly the same as Halls.
Levi Gunter, according to his state
ment, did not know that anyone was
injured until he reached Leesville with
his father this morning, and being ap-
prised of the fact by some friends, VINO
had seen Sheriff Miller and Coroner B.
D. Clark pass through on their way to
hold the inquest, the young man
boarded the first train and came TO
Lexington and gave himself up at the
iail. He does not hesitate to talk
about the affair, although he was vlsl-
bly affected when seen by the News
and Courier corr espondent, whom ne
has known for many years.
Claims Self-Defence.
He said that he shot in self-defence;
that the young men in the buggy stop
ped in front of his home, began to
curse and make all kinds OF threats;
that they told him that he would
either have to- shoot or be killed. At
the time the buggy drove up to his
home. he said that he was sitting
around the fireside nursing his two
year-old little child. He said that
when he went to the door he believed
that he was going to be instantly shot
and Ihat in defence of his own life he
began to fire. He said he heard moth
ing further and did not know that ne
had injured anyone until this morning.
Levi Gunter has employed the law
firm of Efrd & Dreher to defend him
and it is likely that an application tor
bail will be made as soon as the pa
pers can be arranged. He is about 80
years old and has wife and one child.
Lester Gunter was about 10 years OF
age and unmarried. That mean Whls-
key played its part in the tragedy
seems to be the consensus of opinion
among those who are familiar with the
circumstances.
The dead man was son of James
V. Gunter and his relatives have Sc
cured the services of E. L. Asbill, OF
Leesville, to assist III the prosecution
of the case. The tragedy is very much
deplored, all of the parties being
prominent and we'll known citizens OF
the community and the two families