The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-08-06
INVESTIGATION
BY COUNCIL
Shooting of Bradford By Po-
liceman Chandler Subject
of Inquiry

The City Council met in special ses-
sion Thursday afternoon at 6 O'Clock,
to investigate the circumstances Ct
the shooting Of Pinckney Bradford,
colored, by Policeman Julian Chan
dler, at the baseball park about ten
Gays ago. 1t will be recollected that
! the shooting occurred during ball
game between two colored teams
Sumter and Charleston-and was
caused by Bradford being on the
back fence that separates the ball
park from the Lincoln school lot. It
was stated that Bradford refused to
get off the fence when ordered to do
SO by Policeman Chandler, and that
when he was pulled off, resisted arrest.
that Chandler drew his pistol and
struck him, that Bradford seized the
pistol and that Chandler thereupon
shot him in the leg. There was con-
siderable conflict in the staten ents
as to the natter-Bradford and other
witnesses asserting that he did not
resist arrest and only seized the pistol
after being struck without cause and
did so only TO protect himself from
injury
Policeman Chandler stated that
Bradford resisted arrest and that he
attempted to wrest the pistol from
mis- hands, and that it was discharged
during the struggle for its possession
The investigation was undertaken by
City Council as the result of Pc
tition presented by number of ne
gro citizens, the petitioners being the
most intelligent and respected colored
men in Sumter The petition was en-
tirely proper in the circumstances
and was a respectful request, such
as any citizen or body of citizens had
a right to present to Council. This
point is emphasized to contradict and
set at rest unfounded reports that
lave been circulated in the city to-
lay, that Council was presented with
demand for the dismissal and pun
ishment CT Policeman Chandler and
that a time limit was fixed in which
Council must comply with this de-
mand. This report and any and all
similar reports are absolutely false
and without the semblance of founda-
ton. Those who have originated and
circulated the reports have done the
community and incalculable harm
and have created a dangerous senti-
ment that. if not quickly eradicated,
viii inevitably lead to trouble.
Mayor Jennings stated today that
he Investigation, which was open to
the public, proceeded in quiet and
orderly manner and that there was
not an incident or circumstance con-
aected with the session Of an un-
pleasant or questionable character.
No demands were made, nor threats
either directly or by intima-
ION or Inference. The investigation
was not completed at yesterdays ses-
sion and was adjourned until Z
o'clock this afternoon, in order that
certain witnesses who live in the
country might he summoned.
Unless some viscious person or fool,
either white or negro ,provokes trou-
BE there will be none in Sumter. The
law abiding citizens, both white and
black, desire peace, good order and a
continuation Of the satisfactory con-
ditions that have prevailed in Sum-
teF. No one desires ,or will seek
trouble, and there is no reason for any.
If the fools and wild and reckless
takers can be suppressed there will
be no difficulty.