The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-05
JOWITT COTRT-MARTTAL OVER.
Defendant in Augusta Case Tells
story of Tragedy.

Augusta, Ga, Oct. 2.--It was mid
night nearly when the Court S,artial
concluded the case against Capt. Thad
Jowitt. Capt. Jowitt said he was called
10 the home of Mayor Barrett Thurs
day night and. in conference with
Sherlff Clark, was asked to call out his
company to protect the power house.
he told the maEor the order would
nave to come from the governor. Sher-
Ill Clark told the military officer he
would deputize Jowitt and his whole
company, according to the defendant
and make them go on duty, whereupon
Jowitt told the sherin he would refuse
10 serve under such circumstances.
Finally the order came from the Gov
ernor, and the men were assembled.
Friday afternoon the infantry was
ordered on duty at the power house,
after the order was issued by Major
Levy that any man In the service who
took drink would be held to Court
martial Capt Henderson, he said. in
structed Capt Jowitt to assist in plac-
ing the guard.
Il asked him what was the orders
to be given to the men and he replied:
Halt every one and If they don't halt.
fire. Those orders, however, had al
ready been given to the men,"
The defendant said he stood in the
gate OF the power house yard and saw
the detail posted, the purpose Of post
ing being that the cotton mills would
In short time turn out.
II saw Dorne and Baker coming
from Broad street, and saw Baker get
out his whip and hit his horse He
was coming at a run and heard
shot fired. l stepped outside and
said: Halt or I'll fire." Baker re-
piled: Fire. damn you"
Jowitt said Baker drew revolver
and fired in his direction, whereupon
he whipped out his revolver and fired
one shot over the heads Of the men in
the buggy and almost immediately
there was a fusillade from rifles. One
shot Of some kind struck the ground
right in front Of the defendan: and
others struck in the fence near him.
He said the only order he gave at all
was: stop that horse" and after
the general firing he ran to where the
guard was stationed and asked loud
ly: What the hell's all this shooting
for" when one Of the men replied:
Captain. that man was shooting at
YOU"
Jowitt said when he first saw Will
son he was standing outside his car
cursing a sentinel. He said in the Will
sen incident the order had been pre-
viously given to fire low, and the men
who fired on Wilson did not shoot to
kill. Immediately after the firing
Jowitt says he telephoned Mayor Levy,
who sent Lieut. Young and a squad OF
SdNdiis W ulSptTSe the crowd. Ine
cavalry came at a gallop with draw
sabres.
1--WE had secret service men out"
said Jowitt. 'and had gotten informa-
ton that an attack would be made on
the power plant that night" He said
he stopped the firing on Wilson, Spof-
ford, Christie and DR.. Battey, and the
motorcycle ridden by Caine was the
only thing that got through the lines.
He thought Baker fired three shots
and was sure that the orders were
given by Capt. Henderson, officer Of
the day. Jowitt's duty, he said, was
to see to the posting Of the men. The
witness said Baker did not fire first;
that he heard one shot before Baker
fired. Jowitt was standing in ten feet
Of Baker when they fired at each 9TH
er, but there was firing from the in
side Of the yard, behind Jowitt"
The court went into executive ses-
sion upon conclusion Of this testimony
and the result Of it's deliberations will
be Transmitted to the Governor for
review when the other cases are tried.
Until that time it is sealed.