The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-05-01
MYSTERY IN COLUMBIA.
j. ID. STCCKEY'S THROAT CUT IN
SANITARIUM.
y. n. DuBO>c i'm Cu>tOdy--Hcld AZ
ter Coroner Completes Inquest.
Denies Killing-Dead Man Well
Known.

Columbia, Apr. 29-J. A. DuBose of
Bishopville. travelling salesman, was
arrested last night in connection with
the death of his friend, j. d. Stuckey
of Bishopville, a wealthy planter who
was found lying on his bed with his
throat cut, in a local santarium last
night about SIS o'clock. After an
investigation by Sheriff Coleman and
Coroner Walker, which lasted for over
three hours, Mr.. DuBose was arrest
ed.
There was every indiaction that Mr..
Stuckey had committed suicide except
that the knife with which he cut his
throat could not be located anywhere
in his room. The knife, double
hladed bone-handled instrument, was
found in pocket of coat belonging
to Mr., DuBose in his room on Lady
street. There were two small splotches
of blood on the blade.
After the knife was found Mr.. Du-
Bose said that he lent it to Mr.. Stuck
ey and picked it up when he found
him dead in his room.
An inquest over the remains of Mr..
Stuckey. who was prominent and
widely connected citizen of Bishop
vile, will be held some time today.
Before his arrest last night, Mr.. Du-
Bose, who seemed deeply shocked,
talked very freely about the affair. He
said that a relative of his friend, Mr..
Stuckey told him at the Jerome Hotel
yesterday afternoon that he was un-
dergoing treatment at the santarium
and would like to see him.
Mr.. DuBose came to the sanitarium
about 7.30 o'clock last night and talk
ed to his friend in the sitting room.
Mr.. Stuckey had been suffering with
delirium tremens. according to DR.. M.
NJ. Rice. and had told several people
at the sanitarium that he was afraid
of being arrested. Mrs. -Stuckey, who
had been at the sanitarium with her
husbnd ever since he came to Co.
lumbia a week ago, left for her home
In Bishopville yesterday afternoon,
after telling those in charge of the
patients to keep close watch over
Mr.. Stuckey, as she was afraid he
would do himself injury.
Mr.. DuBOse said last night that Mr..
Stuckey whom he had known for
years, told him about his hallucina-
tions and he advised him to think Of
something else. After they talked a
while and made arrangements To
spend the night together, Mr.. DuBose
says his friend asked him to lend him
pencil.
L told him l didn't have one and he
walked out Of the room," said Mr.. Du-
Bose. He was gone some time. I
found the negro porter back in the
hall and asked him to show me Mr..
Stuckey's room, which lie did. I OPEN
ed the door and saw him lying on the
bed with blood all over the pillow. I
walked over to the bed and put my
hand on him to see if he were alive"
Mr.. DuBose then informed DR.. O. F..
Thomas. manager Of the sanitarium.
that Mr.. Stuckey's throat had been
cut. DR.. Thomas telephoned for q
physician first and then for Coroner
Walker who arrived about $40
o'clock.
The coroner found Mr.. Stuckey
lying full length on one Of the three
beds in his room at the sanitarium.
His left arm lay across his chest and
his right arm was straight down his
side. There was long deep cash on
the left side Of his throat. but there
was no knife in his hand, nor could
one be found on the bed or in the
OOi'i' ~ NlHuOW, ODtIlIS INTO Il IlRnt
well. was open, and it was thought
that the knife might have been thrown
out of it. but search was made with
out success.
note. written in scraW ling hand
with pencil on scrap of pasteboard.
was found lying on table in the
room. The note read: 81 am innocent
God knows it," The latter part of
the signature on the note was almost
llIegihlo, but the first name, Jim"
could be easily read The last name
began with an $.
The fact that Mr.. Stuckcy was sub
1"ct To hallucinations due to delirium
trcrncns, the finding Of the note. the