The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-10-12
KILLS TWO; WOUNDS ONE.
Then Sends Fatal Bullet Into His
Own Head Near Greenwood.

OTecuWOOQ, OCL. S.-USluS Iuree
bullets from 32-calibre pistol, Char
ley Luquire, chain gang guard, last
night killed three men, including
himself, and with two shots probably
fatally wounded a fourth. This quad
ruple 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 coun-
ty gangs, and a brother to Supervisor
J. B. McCombs, was shot twice
through the right lung, and though
still alive this evening, his condition
is regarded as highly precarious 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
McCombs to be back at the farm by
5 o'clock. Luquire, it is said, began
drinking when he reached town, and
was in an ugly mood all the after
noon. He started a row in a pool
room and once or twice pulled out his
pistol and threatened to "shoot up"
somebody, it is 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 into 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
to the night performance of the show.
Without word in reply, but with an
oath, he says, Luquire pulled his pis-
tol and fired twice at McCombs, 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 Charlie, you
have killed Mr.. Tom,' and without
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 vas
the matter. Luquire fired once at
him, thirty yards away in the dusk as
it was, and he, too, fell with 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 minute
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 U.S. 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 that
fifth bullet ended his own life.
Townsend, Davis and McCombs
were rushed to the Greenwood hospi-
tai. Davis and Townsend lived only
two hours. McCombs is still living
but his chances are very slight. Nc
Combs is a brother of Supervisor Jim
McCombs. He has wife and two
small children. Townsend leaves a
wife and three small children. His
father-in-law, Davis, had been living
with him for the past few years. His
wife is dead. Luquire, who did the
shooting, leaves a wife and two chill
dren. All are natives of this county.
Luquire was reared at Callison.
Townsend and Davis were 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
that he was about to lose his job. 1t
was reported that, ,sLuquire had been
very active in behalf of another can
didate for supervisor against Nc
Combs brother, and as McCombs was
elected Luquire thought he might
lose his job. He was regarded as
dangerous man when drunk, and hav-
ing become crazed with whiskey yes
terday it seems he simply went wild
and in the last hours of the day
placed on the county the greatest
re- !, icfo for which ono