The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-10-18

What is probably the most unusua
and mysterious killing which has TAX
en- place In this county for many ;
day. was that occurring ON Mr.. T. j
kirvin's place, about six miles north
east of town when a man whose nam,
In unknown, but who said to be 9
kind Of travelling preacher. shot and
instantly killed Frank Pye. q, Croa.
tan., supposed to tie part Indian and
part negro.
The killing occurred about 4 O'Clock
Wednesday afternoon. the fatal sho,
being fired with n single barrelled
shot gun. alleged to have been the
property of a white man. ]. w. Brad
ley. who lives on the Joe David
Chandler place. about a mile and q
half from the scene OF the killing
and whose quarrel with Pye about
Bradley's wife is said to have been
the cause of the killing.
Pye. che dead man Is said to have
been bad citizen. and the majority
of the negroes and others In the COM
munity. outside of the family and
those OF the same race as himself, are
said to be relieved at his death.
The facts concerning the quarrel be-
tween Pye and Bradley show a condi-
tion of depravity which seems incred- =
ible among alleged white people In
Sumter county at this day and time.
The belief In 'conjures" by the Brad
ley's and the threats by Pye to work
roots" on them seems to have been
at the bottom OF the troble, causing
the, Bradley woman to leave her hus-
band and live with Pye. or be at his
disposal, to do with as he saw fit.
The news of the killing was first
received here sometime after four
fort and Deputy John Epperson left
for the scene a few minutes later.
They found the slayer of Pye gone
on their arrival and were unable to
find Bradley anywhere In the vicinity,
although they made a thorough
search OF the house and the surround
Ing country. However. they arrested
his wife on suspicion and brought her
In. taking her to Jail. until they
could get further light on the killing.
Upon their return they summoned
the coroner and the party thus in
creased. again left for the scene of
the killing. to hold the inquest and at
the same time to make further ef-
forts, to trace the unknown slayer.
All night was spent by them on the
ground and in securing the surround
Ing country. but TO no avail. Their
search was fruitless at all points. The
only fact they could ascertain was
that the man who did the killing had
probably gone into the swamp, which
nearly surrounds the place. Blood
hounds were put on the trail. but 1t
had been gone over Sd often that the
dogs were unable to follow 1t.
The coroner. upon his arrival, had
his jury summoned. and held his in
juest. II being late at night before 1t
was through. DIR. Epps testified to
the fact that death was caused by a
gunshot wound in the left breast. the
shot penetrating the lung and heart.
James ID. Cabbagestalk and Henry
Johnson, who were working in a
field together near the scene of the
tragedy stated that after the shooting
they had seen the man who did the
shooting coming back To- Bradley. who
was In the edge OF the branch. Brad
ley asked Did you kill him." and
the man replied II do not know. as
he started In the house. I shot him
and he fell" They then started off
on the road towards Mayesville.
These were the only two negroes who
testified at the inquest, the others be-
Ing Redbones and relatives OF the
dead man.
Charley Floyd said that he saw Pye
and the man crossing the field to-
ward the house. Pyc started In the
house and the man stopped him. The
man then drew his gun on Charley
Floyd and Pye's wife. Pye again
started into the house and the man
again stopped him. Pye turned and
as he did so the man fired the fatal
shot and Pyc fell on the door step.
He stated that there was no quarrel
and that the two were talking about
the Bradleys. He said that the man
had Bradley's gun.
Essie Floyd told practically the
same story as did her alleged hus-
band. She said that the man came
across the field and asked for Mrs.
Bradley. saying he had paper for