Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-08-22
WHO KILLED GIlES7

Whether Andrew Hardwick, who Is
serving a ten-year sentence on the
York county chaingang, or John Henry
who is enjoying his liberty, is the real
slayer of Wee Giles another negro, is a
question that has been concerning u
number Of Sharon and Bullock's Creek
township people, and recently inaugu-
rated activities are now being pushed
for further investigation.
The killing took place at hot sup
per in a house on Mr.. w. c. Thomp-
sons plantation down in the south
west corner Of the county on the night
of June 3. 1910. The pleasantries Of the
Saturday night progressed with ordi-
nary smoothness until after midnight;
but in the wee small hours Of Sunday
morning the desire for excitement
grew strong enough to require shoot
ing, and no sooner was the want felt
than 1t was supplied.
During the shooting which covered
space of several minutes and was quite
lively, a negro boy received bullet In
the forearm, a girl was Knocked down
by a shot that grazed her skull, and
according to the account published at
the time Giles went down with four
wounds in his body, dying within
very short time after he was shot.
The coroner's jury which investiga-
ted the matter at the time, put the re-
sponsibility of the killing on Hardwick
although Hardwick stoutly protested
his innocence, holding that the killing
was done with .3S calibre pistol,
while he was only operating with a .32;
but when the trial came on, things
took q turn that made him believe that
he might be convicted of murder oth-
erwise, and he plead guilty of man
slaughter taking a sentence of ten
years.
Before the conviction, and more
strongly afterward, there gained cred
ulence throughout the neighborhood a
story to the effect that 1t was John
Henry who was really responsible for
the killing that was being charged
rumors which represented Henry as
having boasted from time to time that
he had killed a man, and some VINO
knew more than others insisted that
II Gies's body were exhumed, the fatal
bullets would be found to be OF the
calibre Of Henrys pistol, No. 80. In
stead of No. 32. the calibre Of the pis-
tol used by Hardwick.
At the recent term Of the court Spe-
cial Judge Holman issued an order au-
thorizing and requiring further inves-
tigation and on last Tuesday DR.. j. II.
Saye and Mr.. Tom Sims dug up the
body, and found therein two .3S cali
bre bullets, as so many expected.
On the strength of other testimony
further backed by the evidence thereby
secured, a warrant was taken out for
Henry, who has been living in Sharon
for some time past. Mr.. Sims under
took to serve 1t. Henry surrendered
peacefully enough and started with
Mr. Sims to the lookup; but present.
ly changed his mind, engaged In
scuffle with his captor, and got away
in spite Of seevral bullets that were
fired at him.
OF course as to what there Is In the
case and what can be proved under
the circumstances remains for future
developments; but the understanding
Is that those who have taken the mat
ter up will not let loose until all of the
big bunch of statements, rumors and
theories that have developed. since the
conviction of Hardwick are investigat-
ed to the bottom. This, Of course, pro-
vided that Henry Is re-arrested, and 1t
Is believed that there will not be
great deal of trouble about that.