The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-07-08
SHERIFF HENDRIX RECTOR
KILLED BY JACK GOSNELL
Men, Belonging to Different Political
Factions, on Unfriendly Terms
for Several Years.
Social to The State.

Greenville, July 4.-Hendrix Rec
tor, sheriff of Greenville county, was
killed by Jake Gosnel in the door of
Briscoe's garage on West Court
street at 1905 o'clock today. Sheriff
Rector was shot in three places, once
in the head, once in the shoulder and
the third time in the side, all on the
right side Of the body. He died be-
fore 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 Coroner
w. H. Allison, who had gone to inter-
view the sheriff on another matter,
were said to be the only eye witness
es. 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 report of the pistols. They said
they thought four shots were fired.
The sheriff fell to the concrete
floor and was unconscious and
scarcely breathing when put into an
ambulance. The only weapon in evil
dence after Jake 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 Gosnen, it was
stated.
Gosnell Locked Up.
Immediately after the shooting
,Gosnell, with his wife walked calmly
to the street. A passing automobile
was hailed and Gosnell, in custody OF
Former Sheriff Keller, accompanied
by Mrs. Gosnel, rode to the county
jail. Gosnell, a few minutes later
was spirited away in an automobile
and in custody of United States Mar
shal Lyons was carried to the State
penitentiary at Columbia for safe
keeling. Governor Cooper, who was
at York today, was communicated
with and advised of the shooting.
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. Briscoe's garage
is about 100 yards from the court
house.
Coroner Allison, who .wss as the
garage at the time Of the shooting,
said the inquest will be held Satur-
day and that he preferred no. to
make any public statement prior to
the hearing. MrawGosnell, after her
husbands arrest, said that ne would
have no statement to make until
after he consulted his attorneys.
Ex-Deputy Sheriff Keller was
quoted by several officers as saying
that a few words were exchanges be-
tween 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. Gosnen 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," tc
which Sheriff Rector is quoted to
have replied, 81 don't give damn
whether you have or not" Gosnell
rose from his position, it is alleged,
and fred from 80 caliber 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, it is said, to political
differences. A year or so ago they
had fight one night on Main street
and were tried in recorders court.
They also occasionally indulged in
newspaper controversies in which bit
terness was expressed.
Both men had been very active in
politics in the country, although Cos
nell neVer aspired for public office.
AS special revenue agent, his activ-
ity' was devoted to raiding whiskey
distilleries.
Rector's Political Career.
Sheriff Rector had spectacular
carer as an officer and was pictur-
,.,,o fo 6eoree He was the lead