The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-16
81 SUMTER. s. g. SATURDAY, MAY 49, 1914
KILLING At LAURENS.
JOSEPH q. SULLIVAN KILLS
JOHN NJ. CANNON.
Prominent Lawyer of Laurens County
Shot to Death Following Argument
in Magistrates Court.

HduIeIS, May II.-JuSt after he
had concluded a speech in Magis-
trate Hellmans' court at GRAY Court
shortly before 2 o'clock this after
noon John NJ. Cannon, a prominent
attorney of the Laurens bar and one
of the best known citizens of the
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 bull
lets penetrating his body and the
ffth piercing his arm near the. ell
bow. One Of the bullets struck
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 a case
brought in the magistrates court by
Miss Maude Sharp, teacher Of the Mt.
Bethel school in Sullivan township,
against Humbert Sullivan, aged IS,
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 a hearing
to-day before Magistrate He,lams of
Dials township. w. r. Richey, Sr.,
Of the Laurens bar represented the
defendant.
A number Of witnesses for both
sides testified including q sister of the
defendant. After ascertaining that Miss
Sullivan was a sister of the defend
ant, 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. Thus the incident
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 filed out of the de-
pot office, where the trial was held
Mr.. Cannon stepped out into the de-
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
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 instant, it appears, Joseph
q. 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
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
woman. Then he asked that
he be sent home to his wife and
baby and expired before uttering an
other word.
The inquest WAS held this afternoon
by the same officer who had conduct
ed the trial and the verdict render
cd was that Mr.. Cannon came to his
death by gun shot wound at the hands
of j. q. Sullivan.
Just rs the shooting occurred the
jury returned Il verdict of guilty