The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-06-23
SMITH AND LEE ADMIT
D|TCB|NG SEAB0ARD FLYER
Both Men Declare that Shan Henry Tore Up
the Rails Which Caused Wreck-Little
Concerned Over the Disaster

ditch. Everything was quiet for a
second and then everybody commenc
ed to cry and yell. We intended to
rob the passengers and get all they
had but when we heard all the wo-
men and children crying out it was
too much. I turned arund and saw
Amos and Shan running for the road
where we had wagon. caught up
with them and said, "There's bunch
been killed." I don't give a d.
said Shan, and we got away from the
spot. Shan told us that if the train
wrecked, all the people would be
killed and it would be easy to get the
money. But all the people wasn't
killed and when we heard all those
folks following and crying I guess we
didn't. have the nerve to get the
money"
Throughout the recital of Lee,
Smith nodded his head in assent to all
that was being said. Chief Welch
was questioning the speaker from
time to time while he talked. At
the conclusion of Lees statement,
Amos Smith admitted that all that
had been said was true and said that
his part in it was about the same as
Lees.
Henry Brought In and Denies Con-
fession.
Detectives Eubanks and Crenshaw
then went down to the Jail and
brought up Henry. Henry staIked
into the room and was evidently sur
prised as he gazed into the faces of
Smith and Lee. WelcE took a seat
in front of Henry and after
eyeing him silently for a few seconds,
said: "WCil, Shan, these other two
boys have made confession. Here
it is and I am going to read it to
you" He did so, then turning to
Smith and Lee said: "Is this con-
fession true?" Both the men an
swered in the affirmative. "Well,"
said Welch, to Henry, "what have
you to say?"
Henry loked from one person to
the other and after moistening his
lips said in a trembling voice: 81
am going to tell the truth if God will
let me-"
"Well," said Welch, "let's hear the
truth"
Henry's gaze shifted and he sud-
denly screamed: otis a lie; I didn't
have nothing to do with it: I was in
bed"
Chief Eagan turned to Lee and
Smith and asked: "Is that so?" 'sNo,"
said both of them in unison.
'If you have anything to say, let's
hear from you," said Welch to Henry.
81 amt got thing to say" Henry
He was then led to his
cell. After getting back in the cell
Henry broke down and commenced to
wall in loud voice for the Lord to
have mercy on his soul. He finally
called Warden Glover and said that
he wanted to speak to minister.
Formal Statement by Smith and Loo.
Amos Smiths formal statement to
the police was as follows:
'My name is Amos Smith. I make
the following statement of my own
free will. There have been NJ cffers
of reward, nor have there been any
threats made to induce this state
ment.
81 don't recollect exactly where
abouts I was standing there on the
side of the road wher, the train was
wrecked about 25 yards from where
the train was wrecked / had been
there for about an hour. Mr.. Shan
Henry removed the rails with tools.
He had begged and persuaded me to
go there with him. I did not see ary-
body with him. He had something
like a bar. There was light set
ting down on the crosstie. 1t was
some kind of lantern. saw Shan
remove the rail. I told him it was
the best thing not to do it.
"When the train fell over I was
Continued on Page Five)