Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1919-07-09
MUST FOLLOW, AS THE NIGHT THE DAY: THOU CA
SOUTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY. July a,! 1910
sHERINF RECTOR SHOT ON 4TH,
Deputy Jake GoSncll Fires Shot that
Costs Sheriff'S Life,

Greenville, July 4.-Hendrix Rec
tor, sheriff Of Greenville county, was
killed by Jake Gosnell in the door of
Briscoe's garage on West Court
street at 1905 o'clock to-day. Sheriff
Rector was shot in three places,
once in the head, once jim the shoul-
der, and the third time in the side,
all on the right side of the body.
He died before reaching the city
hospital.
Mrs, Gosnell was with her husband
at the time Of the shooting, and she
and w. b. Keller, who was at one
time jailer and deputy sheriff under
Rector's administration, and Coro-
ner w. II. Allison, who had gone
to interview the sheriff on another
| matter, were said to be the only eye
witnesses. Several mechanics were
working in the garage at the time,
but said their view Of the men was
obscured by automobiles, and they
only heard the reports of the pistol.
They said they thought four shots
were fired
The shreiff fell to the concrete
floor and was unconscious and scarce
ly breathing when his body was put
into an ambulance. The only weapon
in evidence after Gosnell had been
carried to jail and Sheriff Rector was
being placed on his death cot was the
pearl-handled revolver which appar-
emily dropped out of the sheriff's
hip pocket as his body was being
lifted into the ambulance. There
were no signs Of injury to Gosnell.
GOsnen Locked Up.
Immediately after the shooting
Gosnell, with his wife, walked calm
ly to the street. A passing automo-
bile was hailed, and Gosnell, in Gus
tody Of former Sheriff Keller, accom-
panied by Mrs. Gosnell, rode to the
county Jail. Gosnell few moments
later was spirited away in an auto
mobile, and, in custody Of United
States Marshal Lyons, was carried
to the State penitentiary at Colum-
bia for safe keeping. Governor Coop
| Gated with and advised Of the shoot
ing.
Several thousand people congre-
gated at one time or another during
the afternoon, going to and fro as
the news Of the killing was spread
ing rapidly to the remotest sections
Of the county. No signs of violence
had been reported, The Briscoe gar
age is about one hundred yards from
the court house.
Coroner Allison, who was at the
garage at the time Of the shooting,
said that he preferred not to make
any statement to the public prior to
the holding of the inquest. Mrs.
Gosnen. after her husbands arrest.
said that Mr.. Gosnell would have no
statement to make until after he had
consulted his attorneys.
EX-Deputy Sheriff Keller was
quoted by several officers as saying
that a few words were exchanged
between Sheriff Rector and Gosnell.
He stated that Rector, who had been
| standing in the garage office waiting
for his automobile, walked into the
storage room. Gosnell at the time
was kneeling down looking at some
part Of his car. Sheriff Rector is
quoted as saying Good morning"
to Gosnell. and the latter replied, 81
have no good morning for you," to
have replied, 81 don't give a d
whether you have or not" Gosnell
rose from his position, it Is alleged
and fred from 32-calibre revolver
which was later turned over to the
coroner for evidence.
Hostile feeling had existed be-
| tween the two men for several years,
due largely to political differences.
A year or SO ago they had a fight one
night on Main street, and were tried
in the recorders court. They also
occasionally indulged ~ newspaper
controversies in which bitterness
| was expressed.
Both men had been very active
in politics in the county, though Cos
nell never aspired to public office. AS
a special revenue agent his activity
was devoted to raiding whiskey dis
tilleries.
Rcctor's Political Career.
Sheriff Rector had spectacular
career as an officer and was pictur-
esuue TO q degree. He was the lead
ing Bleaseite in the county, and the
backbone Of the Bleasc-Rector or
ganization in this section. He was
81 years Of age. and was born and
reared i'm the Dark Corner section Of
CLASSY Mountain. Elected magiS-
tratc at the age Of 81, he later came
TO Grccnville and served as a police
man. earning a reputation as a fear
less officer. He was elected sheriff
the first time he was candidate.
defeating J. u. Gilreath, who had
been political factor Of great local
power, Rector's majority at the time
being 16 votes.
| 'rbroa vaorc n on ha 1uoc n Il