The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-05-20
SHOT To DEATH
LACRENS ATTORNEY KILLED AS
BE CONyICTS DEFENDANT.
Slain As JURY BETIRES

After Finishing His Argument Law
yer Walks to the Outside Of Build
inc, Where He Is Accosted and
Slain by Brother Of Lad he Had
Convicted.
Just after he had concluded
speech in Magistrate Hellan's Court
ct Gray Court Tuesday afternoon
John ". Cannon, a prominent attor-
ney Of the Laurens Bar, and one of
the bestknown citizens Of the County
and State, was shot and almost in
stantly killed by Joseph G. Sullivan,
son Of Thos. J. Sullivan, and prom
inent young farmer Of near Tumb~
ling 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 an
kle. Sullivan was brought to jail
soon after the shooting. When seen
by newspaper representatives he de-
clined to make any statement, say
ing that he might have something
to say later. The body of Mr.. Can
non was carried to Laurens on the
late train.
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 Hunbert Sullivan,
aged IS, a 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 dep
relations on the property Of the
school building several weeks ago.
Mr. Cannon was employed by Miss
SUdTp " prosecute S4O SeSS.
A change Of venue in the case was
obtained and the trial came up for
a hearing Tuesday before Magistrate
Heilams, Of Dial Township. ". R
Richey, Sr., of the Laurens Bar, rep
resented the defendant. A number
OF witnesses for both sides testified
including a sister Of the defendant
After ascertaining that Miss Sullivan
was sister Of the defendant, Mr.
Cannon is said to have asked her to
come down." Exception was taken
to this by opposition counsel and
Mr.. Cannon disclaimed any intention
of rejecting on whatever she might
have testified to and thus the Incl
dent ended.
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 fled out Of the depot
office, where the trial was held, Mr.
Cannon stepped out into the depot
yard. He was approached by pat
ron 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.
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
truned away, saying he wanted ar
apology or trouble. At this juno
ture it appears Joseph G. Sullivan
took up the matter and told MI
Cannon that he had disgraced his
brother and the Sullivan family, ane
that when he made certain deroga
tory statements he (Cannon) knew
they were lies.
Mr.. Sullivan resented this aao
struck Sullivan on the head with
cane, which the deceased had usec
since his leg was broken seyera
months ago in railway accident. The
instant he struck Sullivan the latter
drew his pistol and fred five times
in rapid succession, and at very
close range. Mr.. Cannon was stand
ing near the steps Of the depot anc
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 or Eav'
ing performed his duty. and that in
defense Of a woman. Then he asked
that he be sent home to his wife anc
baby, and expired before utterins
another word.
Just as the shooting occurred the
jury returned verdict OF guilt!
against Humbert Sullivan.
Mr.. Cannon was thirty-four years
Of age, a son OF L. NJ. Cannon, Of
Lanford, and a nephew OF John "
Landlord. He graduated from Wof'
ford College and studied law in
Laurens and entered upon the p,ac-
tice Of his profession about nine
years ago. He represented the coun-
ty in the legislature one term.
He has been very active in politics
and was a recognized leader. Three
years ago he was appointed mem
Der of Governor Blease's staff. and
was recently named by the Governor
as a member OF the board OF regents
for the State Asylum. He was also
recently reelected county chairman
and delegate to the State Couven-
ton. He married Miss Jessie Huey.
Of Rock Hill, who survives him to-
gether with one little son. He was
a Mason and a member Of the Meth
odist Church.