The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-19

against one OF the large columns OF
the portico.
w. l.. Holley. Judge Of probate,
also had narrow escape. Mr.. Holley
was leaning against the door facing
OF the lower front entrance to the
court house. When Clyde Eisenhower
had emptied his pistol he ran into the
building. with bullets flying in his
trail. One Of these bit a particle from
the brick coping at Mr.. Holleys side,
and. barely brushing his stomach,
buried itself in the opposite wall.
There were not more than four or
five In the attacking party. Since
Smiths arrest two or three months
ago the prisoner had been held at the
State penitentiary, from which he was
taken early this morning and brought
to Winnsboro by Sheriff Hood and
eight deputies. AS a matter of pre-
caution 10 or IL others had been
sworn In, to assist In the delivery Of
the prisoner to the court. When the
'wo automobiles arrived from Column
bia, the machines were switched into
the jail yard, and the prisoner was led
toward the court house. Nothing hap
pened until the officials began to
ascend the steps leading to the court
room. Then Clyde Eisenhower, relative
OF the alleged victim. opened fire. So
close was the assailant that the
ballisters are powder stained.
The weapons used in tho fire be-
tween Sheriff Hood and Eisenhower
practically locked each other in the
exchange Of shots. 1t Is thought that
Isenhower killed the negro with the
first shot fired.
Indictments for murder were re.
turned late this afternoon against four
members of the band attacking the Of
Acials and tho prisoner. Those ac.
cused were: Clyde Eisenhower. Ernest
Eisenhower. a brother; Jesse Morri-
son. a brother-in-law, and James
Rawls. Ernest 1senhower has been
arrested and is held in jail.
Court had not yet convened when
the tragedy occurred. Immediately
upon the opening this afternoon at 8
o'clock Judge John s. Wilson charged
the grand jury to make a thorough
investigation. instructing that EFF
forts should be made to bring to JUS
tice every man who has taken the law
into his own hands" The jury went
to Its rooms Immediately. and at 7
o'clock returned the indictments.
One Of the men indicted, Ernest
Isenhower. was arrested and placed
In jail early this afternoon. A war
rant was issued for Rawls i'm
mediately after the return by the
grand jury.
Solicitor Henry said today that the
accused would not be brought to trial
at this term Of court. Three days must
expire between all offenses and pros
ecutiops. and In addition to this tech
nicality some OF the chief witnesses
are incapacitatd to testify just now.
Despite his weakened condition from
half dozen wounds, Sheriff Hood led
the negro into the court room, where
the prisoner dropped beside the dock,
dying there a few minutes later. The
officer then staggered on within the
bar. and was eased to the floor by
one OF the court officials.
"Well, they got me. I'm shot all
to pieces" were his only words.
Deputy Boulware followed his chief
into the court room aud dropped on
bench near the middle of the room.
lsenhower emptied his pistol and
then lodged into the sheriff's office
on the lower floor of the court house.
When he was found there a minute
later. stretched at full length behind
the door, he was unbreeching his pis-
tol and throwing the shells to the
floor.
Like Sheriff Hood, Eisenhower was
almost shot to pieces. In addition to
the shots from the front, three depu-
ties flanked him from the north side
or the building. None OF the crowd
intervened and bullets from the Of
iicers' weapons drilled him clean. sew
eral OF them taking effect in the right
shoulder and in the right side.
The cement surface about the court
yard the stairs and the court room
were blood splotched. Unbroken
streaks of blood stains were woven
wherever the wounded men walked
and puddlos formed wherever they
fell.