Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-10-11
GREENWOOD MAN KILLS TWO.
Third Victim May Die-Assailant
Later Kills Self,

Greenwood, Oct. S.-Using three
bullets from .32 calibre pistol
Charley Luquire, a chain gang guard
last night killed three men, includ-
ing himself, and probably fatally
wounded fourth. This quadruple
tragedy occurred at the county farm,
about four miles east of town.
The dead are Milton Townsend,
manager OF the county farm and
aims house; Pomp Davis. his father
in-law, and Charley Luquire, the
guard who killed these two and then
killed himself.
Tom McCombs, captain Of the
county gangs, and brother to Su-
neTvisor J. B. McCombs, was shot
twice through the right lung, and
though still alive this evening, his
condition is regarded as highly pre-
carious and his chances OF recovery
are very slight.
Charley Luquire, the guard who
ran amuck, came to town yesterday
to attend the circus. He was told
by McCornbs to be back at the farm
by O'Clock. Luquire, it is said,
began drinking when he reached
town, and was in an ugly mood all
the afternoon. He started @ row In a
pool room and once or twice pulled
out his pistol and threatened to
shoot up" somebody, it Ia stated.
He did not leave town until late,
reaching the farm little after z.
Begins Shooting.
Tom McCombs was sitting in a
buggy out in front Of the residence
occupied by Manager Townsend. He
was expecting to come to town him
self. and was waiting for Luquire to
return. He says he remarked to
Luquire that he was late and was
about to keep the others from going
10 the night performance of the
show. without a word in reply, but
with an oath, he says, Luquire pull
ed his pistol and fired twice at Nc
Combs, both shots taking effect in
the right lung.
AS McCombs crumpled UP on the
buggy seat, old Mr.. Davis, who lived
with Mr.. Townsend, his son-in-law,
and who was standing near, remark
ed, involuntarily, "Why, Charley,
you have killed Mr.. Tom," and with
out a word, Luquire fired at him, one
shot piercing him in the abdomen.
Just as Mr.. Davis fell, Townsend
who was eating supper, rushed out
of his house, and started down the
front path, calling out to know what
was the matter. Luquire fired once
at him, thirty yards away in the
dusk as 1t was, and he, too, fell with
a wound through his body.
Ends Own Existence.
Luquire then walked into the
house, where Mrs. Townsend and
children were, went into the room
he occupied, remained about a min
ute and walked back down the front
path. McCombs saw him returning
and is said to have said to him,
"Well, Charley, you have killed
three of us Answering, it is said,
that that was what he started out to
do, Luquire placed the pistol against
his own temple and fired, and with
the fifth bullet ended his own life.
Townsend, Davis and McCombs
were rushed to the Greenwood Hos
pital. Davis and Townsend lived
only two hours. McCombs Is still
living, but his chances are very
slight. McCombs Is a brother of Su-
pervisor jim McCombs. He has a
wife and two small children Town
send leaves wife and three small
cnllufen. HIS tdCner-ln-laW, DAVIS,
had been living with him for the
rast few years. His wife Is dead.
Inquire, who did the shooting, leaves
a wife and two children All are
natives Of this county.
Luquire was reared at Callison.
Townsend and Davis we're from the
Cokesbury section of the county, and
McCombs has lived near town most
of his life.
Feared Loss of job?
1t is believed that Luquire had a
grudge against McCombs, fearing
he was about to lose his job. It was
reported that Luquire had been very
active in behalf Of another candidate
for supervisor against McCombs'
brother. and as McCombs was elect
ed Luquire thought he might lose
his job. He was regarded as a dan
gerous man when drunk, and hav-
ing become crazed with whiskcy yes
terday it seems he simply went wild,
and in the last hours of the day
placed on the county the greatest
tragedy in it's history for which one
man can be held accountable.