The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1913-01-03

Saieiuhy examined ana the nd was
found to have been opened and the
contents of the trunk rified, though
nothing else in the room appeared to
have been molested.
Money in Coat Pocket.
The officers, upon examining the
body, found that Mr.. Smoak's top
coat was buttoned tightly and in his
inside coat pocket was found a pass
book of the First National bank. In
side the bank book were found three
$50 bills, neatly folded. In his vest
pocket small lady's gold watch was
found. The watch and money were
delivered to Mr.. Rodgers. The pass
book showed that Mr.. Smoak had
1929 in the bank.
Shot in Back.
An examination of the wound dis
closed the fact that the load of shot
entered the small of the back lit
tie to the left, making a hole suffi-
cienly large to thrust a mans fist.
The shot ranged upwards and lodged
on the right side Immediately under
the skin.
Assassin Forced Open Shutter.
From the condition of the shutter
it is believed that the murderer slip
ped up to the window and, seeing
Mr.. Smoak at work in his shop, pull
ed off piece of the shutter and
thrusting the gun inside, fired. The
clasp of the shutter was then remov-
ed from the staple and the shutter
opened, making it an easy matter to
climb through the window.
Tracks Under Window.
Tracks were seen leading from the
window through an open field to a
patch of woods. All of the tracks
were we'll defined and were from four
to six feet apart, indicating that the
party who made them had a long
stride and that they were made while
running. The tracks were II inches
long and four inches wide across the
ball of the foot. The heel was three
and one-half inches lond and two and
three-quarter inches wide and were
turned over at the heel, showing that
the shoes had been worn for some
time.
Sheriff White inquired of the peo-
pie in the community if the deceased
had ever had any trouble with his
neighbors, and every one replied that
SO far as they knew he was on ex-
cellent terms with every one. He re-
Gently. made settlement with his
tenant, Marcellus Dawkins, a negro,
and made contract with him to
work his place next year. Prof. l..
w. Walker was witness to the set
tlement.
House Closed Many Days.
The neighbors for several days had
noticed the house closed and had not
seen smoke issuing from the CHM
ney, though no attention was paid to
this by them for, it is said, that Mr..
Smoak was in the habit of going
away and staying several days. Only
a few days ago he is said to have in
formed some of his neighbors that he
was going to leave as soon as he
finished a piece of work and when
they saw his house closed they sup
posed he had gone off on a visit.
When asked if they had heard any
shooting in the neighborhood recent
ly, the neighbors said there had been
no more shooting than common.
Sheriff White and Coroner Turner
made careful examination of some
ten Or twelve witnesses but were un-
able to secure any evidence that
would lead them to suspect anyone
The coroner's jury rendered a verdict
that the deceased came to his death
from gunhsot wound inflicted by a
person or persons unknown to the
jury.
Sheriff White will work hard on
the mysterious murder case and will
do everything possible to work out a
clue with the hope of apprehending
the assassin and robber. 1t is said
that special detectives may be en-
ployed to work on the case.
Was Well Known.
Mr.. Smoak was a man in COM
Portable circumstances, owning fine
farm of 60 acres of land. He was
well known throughout the county
and state. He is survived by six
children, one daughter and five sons,
all of whom reside in, distant states
except Herbert Smoak, who lives in
Union. He was notified of his faith
er's tragic death and arrived in Spar
tanburg yesterday morning. Two of
his sons live in Roanoke Va, one at