The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1914-05-15
JOHN M. CANNON KILLED
BY JOSEPH G. SULLIVAN
Prominent Lawyer of Laurens Slain
at Gray Court-Shooting Follows
Dispute Over Trial of Case
Against the Brother of
Sullivan.

CraCe f1ellamS COuTC AT NTdy SouTe
shortly before 2 o'clock this after
attorney of the Laurens bar and one
county and State, was shot and al
most instantly killed by Joseph G..
Sullivan, son of Thomas j. Sullivan,
and a prominent young farmer of the
Tumbling Shoals section. Mr.. Cannon
was shot five times. four of the bun.
let's penetrating his body and the
fifth piercing his arm near the ell
bow. One of the bullets struck a
bystander, Archie Willis, passing
through his leg near the ankle. Sui
livan was brought to Jail soon after
the shooting. When seen by news
paper representatives he declined to
make any statement, saying that he
might give out something tomorrow.
The body of Mr.. Cannon was
brought here this afternoon on the
late train and the burial will take
place tomorrow.
The tragedy grew out of case
brought in the magistrates court by
Miss Maude Sharp, teacher of the Mt.
Bethel school in Sullivan township,
against Humbert Sullivan, aged 18,
pupil of Miss Sharp and a brother
VI JOSepu VI. oulliNdii, thS Slayer VI
Col. Cannon.
Humbert Sullivan was charged
with common assault, using profane
language in a public place and COM
mitting depredations on the property
of the school building several weeks
ago. Col. Cannon was employed by
Miss Sharp to prosecute the case. A
change of venue in the case was OBJ.
tanned and the, trial came up for, a
hearing today before Magistrate Hell
lams of Dials township. w. R. Rich
ey, Sr., of the Laurens bar represent
ed the defendant.
A number of witnesses for both
sides testified, including a sister of
that Miss Sullivan was sister of
the defendant, Mr.. Cannon is said to
have asked her to "come down." Ex.
ceptior. was taken to this by oppos-
ing counsel and Mr.. Cannon dis
claimed any intention of rejecting on
whatever she might have testified to-
Thus the incident ended.
Mr.. Cannon made the opening and
closing arguments and is said to have
excoriated the conduct of the youns
defendant in no uncertain terms.
When the jury filed out of the de-
pot Office, where the trial was held,
pot yard. He was approached by a
patron of the school who complained
that the attorney had in his speeches
reflected on the character of his son,
one of the principal witnesses for the
defense. Cannon is said to have re-
piled that he sought only to bring
cut the truth and had no apologies
to make, whereupon Mr.. Wood, the
patron, turned away, saying he want
ed an apology or trouble.
Al this instant, it appears, Joseph
G. Sullivan took up the matter and
told Mr.. Cannon that he had disgraced
his brother and the Sullivan family
and that Mr.. Cannon made certain
derogatory statements knowing they
were lies. Mr.. Cannon resented this
and struck Sullivan on the head with
cane which he had used since his
leg was broken several months ago in
railway accident. The instant he
struck Sullivan the latter drew his
pistol and fired five times in rapid
succession and at very close range, it
is alleged.
Mr.. Cannon was standing near the
steps to the depot and sank as he
attempted to ascend them. Friends
rushed up and caught him before he
fell.
He said he knew he was mortallv
wounded and was going to die. but
he was. conscious of having performed
his duty and that in defense of
a woman. Then he asked that he
be sent home to his wife and baby and
expired before uttering another word.
The inquest was held this after
noon by the same officer who had con-
Quoted the trial and the verdict rem
dered was that Mr.. Cannon came to
his death by gun shot wound at the
hands of j. G. Sullivan.
Just as the shooting occurred the
jury returned verdict of guilty
against Humbert Sullivan.
Mr. Cannon was 81 years of age.
a son of l.. M. Cannon of Lanford'
and nephew of John w. Lanford.
He was graduated from Wofford col
iege, studied law in this city and en-
tered upon the practice of his profess
sion here about nine years ago. He
represented the county in the lepis-
iature one term from 1906 to 1908.
he mas been very active in politics
He was member of Gov. Blease's
staff as judge advocate and was re-
Gently named by the governor as a
member of the board of regents for
the State asylum. He was also re-
Gently reelected county chairman and
a delegate to the State convention.
He married Miss Jessie Huey of
Rock Hill, who survives him, together
with one little son. He was a Ma
son and a member of the Methodist
church.
j. G. Sullivan, the slayer, also is
prominent in this section. He has
played part in politics, being de-
feated for the legislature at the last
election.
Irregular, painful bladder weak
nesses disappear when the kidneys