The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-05-15
JOHN NJ. CANNON KILLED
BY ]. G. SULLIVAN
PROMINENT LAWYER OF LAURENS
SLAIN AT GREY COURT.
Shooting Follows Dispute Over Trial
of Case Against SulliyanS
Brother.
The State.


had concluded a speech in Mbgis-
trate Hellams' court at Grey Cour.
shortly after , .35'clock this af.er-
noon John NJ Cannon, a promident
attorney of the Laurens bar and one
OF the best known citizens Of The
county and State, was shot and al
mos insta 2tly killed by Joseph G..
Sullivan, son of Thomas j. Sullivan,
and a prominent young farmer CT the
Tumbling Shoals section. Mr.. Cannon
was shot five times. four of he bull
lets penetrating his body and the
fifth piercing his arm near the ell
bow. One OF the bullets struck a
bys. ander Archie Willis, passing
through his leg near the ankle. Sui
Ivan was brought 10 jail soon after
ehe 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
brough here this afternoon on the
late train and the burial will take
place tomorrow.
The tragedy grew out Of case
brought in the magis rates court by
Miss Maude Sharp, teacher Of the Mt.
Bethel school in Sullivan township,
against Humbert Sullivan, aged Is,
a pupil of Miss Sharp and brother
of Joseph G. Sullivan, the slayer Of
Col. Cannon.
Humbert Sullivan was charged with
common assault, using profane Ian
guage in a public place and commit
ting 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 obtained
and the trial came up for hearing
t2day before Magistra e Hellams Of
Dials township. w. R. Richey, Sr.,
o: the Laurens bar represented the
defendant.
A number of Wi ne5ses for both
s:des testified, including a sister of the
defendant. After ascertaining that Miss
Sullivan was a sister to the defeGd-
ant, Mr.. Cannon is said have asked
ner to come down" Exception was
taken to this by opposing counsel and
Mr.. Cannon disclaimed any intention
of rejecting on whatever s1e might
have testified to. Taus the incidenr
ended.
Mr., Cannon made the opening and
closi-g argumen and is said to have
eXcoriated the conduct Of the young
defendant in NJ uncertain tegms.
When the jury filed GU of the de-
pot office, where the trial was held,
MIR, Cannon stepped out in the de-
pot yard He was approached by
patron OF the school who complained
that tie at orney had in his speeches
reflected on the character of his son,
one of the principal witnesses for he
defense Cannon is said to have re-
piled that he sought only to bring
ou the truth and had no apologies
to make. wheraupon Mr. Wood, the
patron, turned away, saying he want
ed no apology or trouble.
At this instant, it appears, Joseph
G. Sullivan tcok up the matter and
uold Mr. Cannon that he had disgraced
his bro her and the Sullivan family
and that Mr. Cannon made certain
derogotory statements knowing they
We're lies Mr. Cannon resented this
and struck Sullivan on the head with
a cane which he had used since his
leg was broken several montns ago in
a railway accident. The instant he
struck Sullivan the latter drew his
pistol and fired five times in rapid
succession and at very clos rang, it
is alleged.
Mr., Cannon was standing near the
steps to the depd: 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 defense of
a woman. Then he asked that
he be sent home to his wife and
baby, and expired before uttering an
o,her word.
The inquest was held this afternoon
by the same officer who had conduct