The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-01

Wedge.
An unsuccessful attempt was made
last night to break into and rob
the store of Mr.. r. F. Epperson at
Pinewood by a white man who has
been loafing around the neighbor-
hood Of Pinewood and Rimini for the
past month or six weeks. The rob-
berry was frustrated by Mr.. Clyde
Geddings, who was watching the store
for Mr.. Epperson and the robber made
his escape after he had been shot
twice with a dOuble-barrel shot gun.
loaded with No. 3 shot. The first
load took effect in the legs Of the man
and the second in his back, as he
dashed around the corner Of the store
in the darkness, but it is not known
how serious were the wounds he re-
ceived. 1t is probable, however, that
the wounds are not of dangerous
character since he was able OF run
with such speed that he distanced
Mr.. Geddings and got clear away
beyond pursuit before those who
were aroused by the shooting could
join In the chase. News Of the affair
was brought to this city by Mr. Walter
D. Epperson who was here this
morning. He stated that when he
left Pinewood early this morning a
posse was searching for the robber
and it is hoped that he will be cap
tui ed.
The man who made the attempt to
rob the store appeared at Rimini sew
eral weeks ago accompanied by q
companion. The robber is a young
man, while his companion is old and
lame in one leg. They have been
camping in a vacant house near Rimi-
nj station and pretending to be engag-
ed in trapping in Santee swamp, but
that their trapping operations were
merely q subterfuge was apparent,
since they had only three small traps
and had caught no game thus far.
They are said to be the same meM
who stopped at Mr.. Kolb's place near
Privateer several weeks ago and by
their peculiar conduct aroused sus-
picion that they were fugitives from
justice. They are said to have been
well supplied with money and several
| days ago the younger man went over
to st. Matthews and was arrested for
disOrderly conduct. He had q maga-
zine pistol and a roll Of money in his
pockets and was able to pay his fine
on the spot. The pistol was confiscat-
ed by the Mayor Of st. Matthews who
| also imposed heavy fine.
A few days ago the old man told
a gentleman at Rimini that he had
quarrelled with his partner and
would like to get away from him, but
could not do so as he was mixed up
with him and could not leave. This
statement was preliminary to q COM
municatiOn that he said he wished to
make in the strictest confidence. He
then informed this gentleman that
the young man had made up his mind
to rob the Epperson store at Pine
wood and would do so within the next
three or four nights. Mr.. Epperson
was warned and he has had the store
guarded every night since. The old
man later told the same gentleman
that the sore would be robbed Sun
day night, but the night passed with
out the robber appearing, but late
yesterday afternoon Mr.. Epperson re-
ceived a telephone message from the
same gentleman at PinewoOd to be
on the watch as the rObber had gone
toward PinewoOd and that the old
man said he would attempt to break
into the store about midnight. Mr..
Walter d. Epperson had been guard.
ing the store for four nights in sue
cessiOn and was not able to stand
guard last night, SO Mr.. Geddings vol
unteered to stand watch in his place.
Mr.. Geddings concealed himself be-
hind a pine of lumber in front of the
store and just at midnight he heard
someone trying to force open the rear
door Of the store. He waited for the
man to enter the store, expecting then
to slip around to the rear door and
catch him in the store. But the rob-
ber could not open the back door, so
he came to the front door and made
an effort to force 1t. After working
for some little time he went off and