The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-12-10
Three NEGROES BLAMED,
JURY HOLDS THEM FOR MUIR.
DER OF T.. Il. BEST.
Scott Madison Is Named as Principal
With Gilbert Miller and Mitchell
stroy Accessories.


Best came to his death from gunshot
wounds In the hands of Scott Madison
and that Mitchell Stroy and Gilbert
Miller were accessories before and af-
ter the fact" was the verdict OF the
coroner's jury OF inquest. which was
held here this morning to investigate
last nights murder. Fearing that the
prisoners would be lynched il allowed
to remain in the county jail, Sheriff
j. b. Morris and a deputy, with the
accused men, left Barnwell about
IL o'clock this morning in an
automobile. There has been some talk
here today. II is said. about a pro-
posed lynching bee, and hearing of
this. the governor has instructed the
captain OF the local military company
to assemble his men and "do what is
necessary to preserve the peace" in
Barnwell.
From the testimony brought out at
the inquest, the murder Of Mr.. Best
Is one OF the most cold-blooded that
his ever darkened the pages Of the
criminal history Of Barnwell county.
There was absolutely no provocation
other than that Mr.. Best had pushed
one OF the negroes out of his way as
he was leaving the restaurant where
he had been for supper. This negro.
Gilbert Miller. threw an empty bottle
at him and then ran. Mr.. Best turn
cd around to Scott Madison. who was
standing In front of the restaurant.
and asked what he mant by hitting
him. Madison replied that he did
not hit him-that the man that threw
the bottle had run off. Mr.. Best re-
piled that ne was not hurt and, turn
ing around. started of up the street
In the direction OF his store.
lie had gone only few steps and
was In the full glare OF an electric
light when two Bhots were fired. One
took OBJECT In his back. near the
heart, and passed entirely through the
body. The other shot went wild. Mr..
Best staggered TO the open door OF a
pool room and fell. dying in the arms
OF Arthur Harden.
The excitement last night was in
tense and there Is no doubt but that
the negroes would have been lynched
had they been caught shortly after
the murder.
The arrest OF the accused men. all
OF whom are negroes employed by the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad company
az section hands and who are
strangers in the county. followed an
ali-night investigation and a very
pretty piece Of detective work on the
part OF the sheriff and his assistants.
When, II seemed that the search would
prove fruitless. q few clues were gath
cred and. working on these, the he
groes were routed from their shanty
cars during the night.
A rigid examination disclosed the
fact that one or more of them were
involved In the affair and at daylight
this morning they were lodged in the
county Jail. along with a score OF
other negroes who had been arrested
as suspects shortly after the murder
and who are now being held as wit
nesses. There is apparently % doubt
as TO the guilt of Madison. Four Of
his companions. who were eye-wit-
nesses to the shooting. have testified
as TO his guilt. although in some
minor details their stories were con-
nicting.
Knowing the intense feeling against
the accused. II was decided at a meet
Ing OF the bar this morning to order
an immediate trial. court now being
in session. The grand jury will be
summoned to meet here Monday, and
as III. A. Simms who, with Thomas NJ
Boulware. has been appointed to de-
fend the negroes. stated this after
noon that the usual three days would
be waived. IL is very probable that
the case will be called Immediately
after the finding OF the grand jury.