The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-05-14
WON CASE; SHOT DEAD
JNO. NJ. CANNON, OF LAURENS
FATALLY SHOT.
Tragedy the Aftermath of School
CaSe-Slayer Accused Can
non of Falsifying.


Bar, and one of the best-known citi-
zens of the county and State, was
shot and almost instantly killed by
Joseph G. Sullivan, son of Thos. j..
Sullivan, and prominent young
farmer of near Tumbling Shoals.
Mr.. Cannon was shot five times, four
of the bullets penetrating his body
and the fifth piercing his arm near
the elbow. One of the bullets struck
a bystander, Archie Willis, passing
through his leg near the ankle.
Sullivan was brought to jail soon
after the shooting. When seen by
newspaper representatives he de-
clined to make any statement, saying
that he might have something to say
tomorrow. The body of Mr.. Cam
non was brought here this afternoon
on the late train and the burial will
take place tomorrow.
Back of the Tragedy.
The tragedy grew out of a case
brought in the Magistrates Court by
Miss Maude Sharp, teacher Of the
Mount Bethel School in Sullivan
Township, against Humbert Sullivan,
aged 18, pupil of Miss Sharp and a
brother of Joseph G. Sullivan, the
alleged slayer of Mr.. Cannon. Hum
bert Sullivan was charged with COM
mon assault, using profane language
in a public place and committing
depredations on the property of the
school building several weeks ago.
Mr.. 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 to-day before Magistrate
Hellams, of Dial Township. w. R.
Richey, Sr., of the Laurens Bar, rep
resented the defendant. A number
of witnesses for both sides testified,
sincluding a sister Of the defendant.
After ascertaining that Miss Sulli-
van was a sister of the defendant,
Mr.. Cannon is said to have/asked her
to come down." Exception was
taken to this by opposing counsel and
Mr.. Cannon disclaimed any intention
of rejecting on whatever she might
have testified to and thus the incident
was ended.
Wanted an Apology.
Mr.. Cannon made the opening and
closing arguments and is said to have
excoriated the conduct of the young
defendant in no. uncertain terms.
When the jury filed out of the depot
office, where the trial was held, Mr..
Cannon stepped out into the depot
yard. He was approached by a pa
tron 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
defence. Mr.. Cannon is said to have
replied that he sought only to bring
out the truth and had no apologies
to make, whereupon Mr.. Wood, the
patron, turned away, saying he want
ed an apology or trouble. At this
juncture it appears Joseph G.. Sulli-
van took up the matter and told Mr..
Cannon that he had disgraced his
brother and the Sullivan family, and
that when he made certain deroga-
tory statements he (Cannon) knew
they were lies.
Struck Sullivan.
Mr.. Cannon resented this and
struck Sullivan on the head with a
cane, which the deceased had used
since his leg was broken several
months ago in railway accident.
The instant he struck Sui lliVan the
latter uT0W Ills plSIOl ouo III NV
times in rapid succession, and at a
very close range. Mr.. Cannon was
standing near the steps of 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 mortally wounded and was
going to die, but he was conscious
of having performed his duty, and
that in defence 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
conducted the trial. Just as the
shooting occurred the jury returned
a verdict of guilty against Humbert
Sullivan.
Graduate of Wofford.
Mr.. Cannon was "a years of age,
a son of L. NJ. Cannon, of Lanford,
and a nephew of John W. Lanford.
He graduated from Wofford College