The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-06-17
FAIRFIELD SHERIFF DEAD
RESULT OF MOB VIOLENCE AT
DOOR OF COURT HOUSE.
Negro on Way to Trial Slain and Al
legged Leader of Attacking Par
ty Fatally Shot.

duty, Jules Smith, negro charged
with criminal assault, and Clyde 1sen-
hover, a relative of Smiths alleged
intended victim, dead, Deputy Sheriff
Earle Stevenson desperately wound
ed, his left arm being practically
shot off, Rural Policeman J. R. Boul-
ware shot in the pit of his stomach
and barely living, and Jesse Morri-
son, brother-in-law of 1senhower and
member of the attacking: party,
shot in the head, and several other
deputy sheriffs wounded, tell the
horrible results of an attack by a
small mob on the sheriff here this
morning while he was ascending the
court house steps with the negro who
was to be placed on trial for his life.
Sheriff Hood went to Columbia
this morning and brought Jules
Smith, the negro who was to be tried
for the awful crime, back to Winns-
boro to put him on trial for his life.
The negro had been in the State pen
itentiary for safe-keeping and the
sheriff was accompanied by several
deputies. This precaution was taken
in view of certain threats said to
have been uttered. The sheriff and
his prisoner reached here in safety.
With the negro walking between him
and Policeman Haynes, the sheriff
had started up the steps to the court
house, his deputies following in the
rear, when a fusillade ofshots broke
out. The first bullet struck the ne
gro prisoner in the stomach with
fatal results. The second bullet
from the mob hit Sheriff Hood.
Promiscuous Firing.
By this time the fusillade had be-
come general, the mob firing promis-
cuously into the crowd which was
following the sheriff and his party
up the steps to the court room. AS
soon as he could draw his pistol
Sheriff Hood returned the fire and
several of his deputies Joined IN the
affray. Sheriff Hood was shot five
times, three times in the stomach, IN
his right side, in left arm, and be-
tween shoulder and elbow. Deputy
Sheriff Earle Stevenson who was
right behind him, was shot twice in
the left arm, practically severing IT
from his body. One bullet struck
Rural Policeman ]. R. Boulware in
his stomach, probably fatally wound
ing him. Deputy Sheriff B. R. Beck
man was shot in the left leg. Con-
stable R. L. Kelley was shot in the
thumb and right arm. Deputy Sher-
iff ]. w. Broom received several bull
lets through his pants and one graz
ed his left foot. 49,
From all the information obtain
able the consensus of opinion is that
CLYDE Isenhower began the shooting
and it is said that his first bullet
killed the negro prisoner. He him.
self was fatally wounded, being shot
several times, and received thirteen
openings in his body as a result OF
bullets lodging there. 1t is thought
that Sheriff Hood directed his fire at
Clyde Isenhower, for the sheriff emp
tied his pistol. Isenhower, after be-
ing shot to pieces, staggered into the
sheriff's office and had unbreeched
his pistol and reloaded it before he
fell faint from the loss of blood.
Others Wounded.
Jesse Morrison, a brother-in-law
of Isenhower, and said to have been
member of the mob, received a
scalp wound in his head and had a
thumb shot away. D. F. Smith, a
bystander, took refuge behind a tree
and a bullet just grazed his stomach.
Probate Judge w. L. Holley was
standing in the door Of the court
house at the time of the shooting
and bullet buried itself in the door
facing at his side. Although mortal
ly wounded, Sheriff Hood took the
negro prisoner, who was sinking
from the effects of the fatal bullet in
his stomach, up the steps of the
court house and into the room and
pushed him into the dock before he
succumbed. AS he fell to the floor,
he said to Solicitor Henry: They
have got me at last The negro
prisoner lived only about ten min
utes.
Sheriff Hood, Deputy Sheriffs j. 4.
Boulware and B. R. Beckman were
taken to Columbia on a special train,
reaching there about 1870 O'CLOCK.
Surgeons had Sheriff Hood on the
operating table several hours and
eighteen perforations were found in
his intestines. He was given every
attention, but his condition from the