The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-03-27
WAS FOULD MURDEY
DUE TO CONSPIRACY?
Reports from Mountyllle Tell of Al
most Unbelievable Plans Made on
the Life of the Late Mr.. BrysOn.

OF Mountville are still in a bewildered
and nervous state over the murder
of w. H. Bryson. The posse, who,
during the week, searched the coun-
try from here to Columbia, have re-
turned without the murderer, Wesley
Hill. Other negroes suspected Of hav-
ing some knowledge of the crime
have been waited on" and, if their
evidence is to be relied upon, the in
formation given by them arouses some
suspicion that the murder may have
been the result of conspiracy. This
discovery may lead to other arrests.
In the meantime it is anXiously hoped
that the real murderer may be appre-
hended
The awful crime of last Saturday,
preceded a few weeks ago by the bold
attempt to burn S. N. Crisp's store and
followed Wednesday morning by the
burning Of w. l.. leagues barn, has
created sensation in the minds of
thinking people. Whether there is
any connection between the murder
and the two burnings, or either Of
them, of course, is not known, but
the fact that the three incidents occur
red within n few miles of one anoth-
er, and that they followed one anoth-
er in close succession, gives some
ground for thought.
About two o'clock Wednesday morn
ing Mr.. w. l.. leagues barn, four
miles from Mountville, was complete
ly destroyed by fire. With the barn
which was a large two story build
ing, perished also six head Of mules
and horses, three buggies, carriage,
wagon, harness, quantity of corn and
fodder all of last years crop, and
other valuables. A quantity of cot
ton nearby was barly saved by dill
gent work. The barn and contents
was complete loss as there was no
insurance. The burning is thought to
have been incendiary.
Our mail carriers, Messrs S. B..
Goodman and j. II. Notes, had some
very unpleasant experiences during
the severe storm of last week But
they were faithful to their official
trusts even to the extent of exposing
themselves to dangerous risks. Mr..
Goodman, attempting to cross the
Hooded Beaverdam Greek Friday morn
ing, was carried some distance down.
the stream by a deep and swift cur
rent. The buggy having hung on a
tree, he, standing on the dash board
and shafts, succeeded i'm unhitching
the horse and, mounting the animal
from the rear, made his escape. The
mail was held above water and came
out safe and dry. Alter the water
subsided the buggy was brought out
Saturday badly damaged. Mr.. Notes
also braved the storm going Friday
and Saturday as far as the Davenport
bridge on Little River, which was so
damaged that it was impossible to
cross the stream.
During this week I. number OF our
public spirited citizens have taken ad-
vantage Of the fair weather to improve
the conditions Of our public roads,
''ehfo'''So' 'N' op'hto anu hlullIlS Sulu
and rock to repair deep holes and 9TH
er bad places Among those who de-
serve creditable mention for these pub
lie favors, are, NIessrs Calton Chase.
S. j. Rasor, Paul and William Fellers.
j. b. Richardson and T. j. Coleman.
These have all done work which great
ly relieves difficult public travel.
Mrs. Gennie Kramer of New York
has been spending the winter at
Mountville, making her home at the
league boarding house. She is q ma
tive of this state, but after ma riage
lived in New York until the death of
her husband few years ago. While
she owns good home and other
property in New York, she prefers to
make her home among her friends in
the south.
1t is said here that DIR. A. S. Cook
has accepted a call by the Universal
list church at Camp Hill, Ala. and that
he has given up his work in this
state. He will move his family to
Camp Hill this spring.
Mr.. N. B. Crisp was away from home
most OF last week, attending meeting
of Hunter township equalization
board at Clinton, and making a bust
ness trip to Sumter, Bishopville and
other places.
Mr.. John Richardson of Columbia
is visiting relatives here and at Cross
Hill.