The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-15
MURDER IN COLUMBIA.
James Mclaughlin Killed Ia Eagle.
Club.

| l""b at 1851 Main street James
Mcloughlin for many years the faith
iui steward of the Eagles Home was
murdered while he lay on his bed
asleep. Horrible indeed are the de
tails OF the tragedy. The man was
assasslnated within stone throwing
distance of the largest banks i'm the
city. and the sound Of the blows
which killed him could have been
heard by Main street pedestrians.
Mclaughlin occupied bed i'm q
room over Swans Clothing store, the
front room of the Eagles Home. He
retired about midnight Friday, and
was found dead in his room at II
O'Clock yesterday morning. His head
had been crushed by an instrument
and 1t Is thought that hatchet was
used. The man was found on the
hoor. and the bed was saturated with
blood. The supposition Is that he was
struck while asleep, and i'm his death
struggle fell to the floor. There was
nothing to indicate that any robbery
mad been committed. Everything i'm
the room appeared to be in its place
The dead mans clothes were on
chair about six feet from the bed an
iron safe was intact, and two desks
had not been disturbed.
AT the foot Of the bed lay a beau
ful red rose and the flower was not
picked up. 1t was later tramped upon
rhe rose may or may not be a clue
MIR. McLoughlin's watch was in his
pocket and SIS was removed from his
clothes.
close examination of the prem
ises show that the assassin made a,
mad rush for his man. He forced an
entrance through a rear window by
the use of n crowbar, this placed
him i'm the rear room. He then en-
countered locked door, the crow
bar was used and the door was open
ed. Splinters lay on the floor show
Ing the trouble and force that was
necessary to effect an entrance. James
Mclaughlin lay asleep i'm the front
room unaware OF approaching danger
The murderer crept up to the front
room where his intended victim lay.
Eight blows were struck i'm the head
some of these penetrating the brain.
The dead man also has a cash i'm the
shoulder and q bone i'm one hand is
broken. a life had been taken and |
the assassin made his escape. Every |
detail of the horrible tragedy shows |
that the murderer was prepared to
kill or be killed.
Two members of the Eagles made |
the discovery. c. j. Nigel and Geo |
Dickert met at the home about nj
O'Clock yesterday morning and the |
place was not open as usual There
was no response to the bell or door
knocks. Finally Mr.. Nigel climbed
over porch and crawled through a |
front window. His eyes met the ter
rible sight. Mclaughlin was lying in |
his own life blood. An alarm was
given and a squad Of men under Chief |
Richardson came upon the scene, and |
started an investigation.
Elbert Gray, a former porter at the |
home. was arrested at 1:1O D m. yes
terday and on his person was II cents |
He was placed in a private cell at the |
station where he was put through a |
close examination. The police secured
the shirt he wore on Friday. and sup
posed blood spots were located on one |
sleeve. He is being held for investi-
cation.
Gray was discharged by Mr.. Nc
Loughlin on two occasions. Several
months ago the negro was arrested on
the charge of petty larceny. was tried
and convicted. His lawyer appealed
the case and put up $25 bond. Last
week he notified the police that he
would surrender his client to serve his
sentence. According to statements
made by "a member of the Eagles the
dead steward said Gray came to him
for the $25 to pay the fine SO as
to avoid going on the gang. His re-
quest was refused He then told Nc
Loughlin that he would have to mort
gage horse to secure the money
Later he came back and renewed his
request for the $25 so ne could lift
the mortgage. He was refused the
second time. The last refusal was
made on last Wednesday morning.