The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-12
Mr.. JOEL {. BRUNSON DEAD.
BODY FOUND ON SIDE OF RAIL-
ROAD TRACK QUARTER OF
MILE BEYOND NEW
SUMTER.
Jury Returns Verdict That Death Was
Due To Apoplcxy-was Prominent
Citizen OF sumter County-Candi-
date for Governor ON Prohibition
Ticket I'm 1905.

and saddened Saturday morning
when II became generally known
that the dead body OF Mr.. Joel L.
Brunson had been found along side
the railroad track a quarter of a mile
beyond New Sumter. Mr.. Brunson
was a well-known and highly esteem
ed citizen OF this county. lie was at
one time a candidate for governor of
the State on the prohibition ticket.
Mr.. Brunson went out to his place
between Sumter and Mayesville that
morning and II was probably while re-
turning from there to take the IL
O'Clock train at New Sumter that he
was attacked by apoplexy and dropped
dead. IL seems that he had been
feeling badly for a number OF days
and members, OF his family tried to
dissuade him from going to his work,
but he persisted, saying that he had
not been there in several days and his
work needed his attention. He left
on the morning train. getting off at
New Sumter TO walk from there to
the place where the work was going
on and intending to come back in time
to take the IL o'clock train home He
was accompanied by his wife as far
as New Sumter, who went on to
Mayesville to spend the day with her
daughter. Mrs. ]. III. Mills at that
place.
The body was discovered about 10
o'clock by a negro. Ben Franklin. who
was returning from Sumter TO his
home on DR.. Bakers place. II was
lying by the side OF the railroad
tracks. with the side OF the face down
wards and partly covered by his hat
Franklin was riding on his wheel and
got OF to investigate. He did not find
the body TO be breathing. so ran back
some distance TO Mr.. n. A. Spann's,
where he summoned Mr.. Spann's son
TO go with him for further investi-
CATION. Arriving at the body II was
found to be that of Mr. Brunson. The
train was tagged and the body put
on ut this place and brought on to
Sumter where II was taken to Mr..
Geo. III. Hurstis undertaking shop. for
the inquest to be held.
Dr. j. A. Mood testified that an ex-
animation OF the body revealed no
signs OF violence and that he thought
that death was due to natural causes,
probably apoplexy. Ben Franklin was
the only other witness. He testified
TO the facts as stated above concerning
the finding OF the body He saw no
signs on the ground TO indicate any
struggle. The jury Mt once returned
verdict that death was due to nat
ural causes. probably apoplexy.
Mr.. Brunson was n native Of Sum-
ter county and has been a prominent
citizen for many years. He was &C
years OF age and leaves a wife and six
children. his children are: Miss
Margaret Brunson. OF this city, Mrs.
j. III. Mills. OF Mayesville. Miss Winnie
Brunson OF Kingstree: Mr.. j. Edwin
Brunson OF Columbia; Miss Louise
Brunson and Mr.. Joel f. Brunson, Jr.,
OF this city. He was married twice.
his first wife being Miss Chandler OF
this county. who left no children liv-
Ing. His second wife. Miss Martha
Mayes. a daughter OF DR.. ]. a. Mayes
OF Mayesville.
Mr.. Brunson served throughout the
In NI.a 49,,
at the time TO go into active service.
He first started In work as a printer
In the old Sumter Watchman Of
flee. later In life leaving this work TO
take up the lumber business. He was
engaged in the lumber business and
farming up To the time OF his death.
He became generally known
throughout the state in his fight for
prohibition. for which he had always
been an ardent advocate. He ran for
governor twice on the prohibition plat
form. the second time I'm 1906. He was
for a number OF years the editor OF
tho prohibition organ OF this State,
The Broad Axe. and with this waged
continual war against tho liquor
traffic.
Mr.. Brunson was highly esteemed I'm
Sumter. where ne was best known. as
man and citizen. IIc was a member
OF tho Washington street Baptist
church and a faithful church worker.
Tho funeral was held Sunday