The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1917-01-03
Father Mistakes Son For
Burglar.
OSCAR LANFORD
MEETS DEATH

Capt, j. w. LanfOrd Mistakes Son for
Burglar and Shoots Him With Re-
peating Rifle. Son Returns Fire
Under Misapprehension, Wounding
his Father.
Early yesterday morning the news
was spread around the city that bur
glars had made raid at Ora and Lam
ford Station in this county and that
IN the confusion following an attempt
TO catch him at Lanford Station, Capt.
). w. Laford had shot and mortally
wounded his son, Oscar Lanford, and
himself had received bullet wound
from the pistol of his son. The burglar
escaped during the fusillade, but if
the officers arc confirmed in their be-
lcf, he was later apprehended at
Woodruff and yesterday about noon
was placed in the county Jail here.
Jewelry and other things found on the
person OF the man arrested convince
the officers that they have secured the
right man.
The burglar made his first visit to
Ora, small station on the C. & w. c..
railroad between here and Spartan
burg. He ransacked the office of Dr..
Il. II. Bryson, but secured nothing that
appealed to him. From there he was
next heard Of at the home of Mr.. w.
I. Blakely. Mr.. Blakeley saw him
standing in his room and thinking per-
haps that 1t was his son, George, hailed
him, saying "Is that you, George 2" The
man replied Yes but backed through
the bathroom and sleeping porch Mr..
Blakely saw that he was going toward
Lanford Station so he telephoned Mr..
scott Higgins, giving the warning. Mr..
Higgins notified Mr.. Oscar Lanford and
Mr.. Jim Fleming. but remained at
home himself on account of his wife
who was afraid to stay alone. Mr.. Os-
car Lanford and Mr.. Fleming awoke
Capt. John w. Lanford and they await
ed the burglar at the depot.
About 1880 o'clock a man was seen
to come down the road toward Mr..
Drummond's store, which was in the
direction Of Ora but on the opposite
side Of the street from the depot, the
railroad being on the east side of both.
The man was seen to circle the store
building, using flashlight to light his
way. For some reason, he decided not
to enter this store and started toward
the depot behind which the watchers
here shielding themselves. Mr.. Flem-
ing thought 1t best not to halt him
here, so advised the Messrs Lanford to
remain still while he went around to
the other end of the depot where he
could halt the burglar with more safe
ty4 Fleming started around, but before
he reached the end Of the depot he
heard Capt. Lanford cry Halt" and
the shooting began. Capt. I.anford,
who survived the tragedy, was uncer-
tain exactly as to what occurred, but
in the confusion ii appears that Oscar
Hanford rushed in front Of his father
and between him and the burglar and
iFN'i'tu a bHilct lIoIii NdI't iballOTu >
rifle. Being some distance apart, ihc
son evidently mistook his father Tor
another member OF the gang and shot
at him while falling the bullet wound
ing Capt lanford slightly on the inside
of the thigh Mr. Fleming, who carried
shot gun loaded with buck shot, shot
one time. Whether the burglar shot at
all Is not known. He made his escape
toward Enorcc and Woodruff. A man
answering his description and carrying
tlashlight and a few simple tools was
arrested by Chief OF Police Kellctt at
Woodruff yesterday morning and hand
ed over to the officers from this coun-
ty. Sheriff Watts IS confident that he
has the right man. In addition to the
things mentioned above, the supposed
burglar had on his person scarf pin
and heavy gold band ring, thought to
bo the property Of Mrs. Blakely. He
sefuses toSgivc any information as to
himself. When arrested he was par
tally intoxicated.
HanfOrd Station was thrown into a
great confusion by the tragedy and a
pale of gloom was cast over the little
town on account Of the tragedy and its
peculiarly sad circumstances. Capt
Lnford. though slightly wounded, is
PROSTATE on account of the death of