The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-02
TURMOIL REiGNED
IN AIKEN COUNTY
Hugh C. Long. Elect
Shoots Mayor Of Wagener as Result
of Political Strife.


Wagner, Sept 28-Tonight the
LITTLE town Of Wageper, Aiken county.
lies within the throes of disorderly
and turbulent condition never before
experienced in its entire history. The
condition arises from the fact that
N a personal encounter this after
noonabout o'clock on the business
Iuare of the town, Hugh Long, rep
resentative-elect from Aiken county,
shot and probably mortally wounded
Pickens Gunter, president of the Bank
OF Wagner and one of the county's
Oldest and most prominent citizens.
The wounded man is a first cousin
to r. l.. Gunter. who Is prosecuting
attorney Of this, the second, judicial
district.
Eye-witinesses to the tragedy are
silent and suspicious and refuse to
discuss the matter. But this much is
clear. About 6 o'clock this afternoon
the two combatants who were bitter
political enemies,m met in front of the
local branch of the Bank of Western
Carolina and bitter invectives were
hurriedly exchanged and before any
one could realize what was transpir-
Ing the two men had clashed.
relative Of the wounded man.
Kay Gunter, political friend of
Long, rushed in and apparently en-
deavored to separate the combantants
And 1t was at this time that Pickens
Gunter was shot. Some claim that
ding shot while Pickens Gunter
was on top of him while others state
that 1t was not Long who fell to the
ground in the clinch but the two
Gun-er and that Long stood off and
hred twice at the wounded man. How
ever, all witnesses agree that two
shots were fired. The first missed:
the second found its mark, penetrat-
ing at the left and lower portion of
the abdomen and making it's exit
through the back, having passed
clearly through the Dody. The instru-
ment used was 38 calibre revolver,
Long then fastened from the scene
not going to his own house. but to
that OF a neighbor, where he re-
mains barricaded at this time. OF the
IL or more persons interviewed on
the matter all agree in venturing the
opinion that the difference between
the two men arose from a peculiar
and strained political situation which
mas been existing in this county and
particularly in this section for some
time.
Eludes Watchers.
Aiken, Sept 29.-After eluding a
mob of determined men bent upon
Wreaking vengeance upon him after
he had shot Pickens II. Gunter, presi-
dent OF the Bank of Wagner, on the
streets OF that town yesterday after
noon, and after suffering many hard
ships and travelling under serious diff
hculties more than rs miles through
the rain last night, Hugh Long, mayor
OF wagner and representative-elect
was brought to Aiken this morning
by two rural policement and placed in
jail. Muscoe Samuels and S. r.. HoI-
ley' the officers who accomplished one
or the cleverest ruses ever worked in
this county to protect prisoner from
violence, arrived in Aiken, haggard
and worn out with the hardships of a
wild night, at o'clock.
When Sheriff RADON and his depu-
ties reached Wagener last night thew
round an angry mob surrounding the
house In which Long had barricaded
himself, Long, who was apparently
very glad to see the officers OF the
law was stationed on the second floor
or the house, at the head of a narrow
stairway, armed with two loaded re-
VolVers and shotgun. and holding hi
ground with a determination that con-
Vinced the officers beyond doubt that
II he had been attacked by the mob
ne would have sold his life dear.
Prepared for Battle.
According to the sheriff, Long had
taken up position which he could
nave held against the onslaught of
the crowd until his ammunition was
exhausted. and before he could have
been killed, 1t was apparent that he
could have shot down at least a dozen
OF the attacking party.