The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-05-12

I ter Preaching was not over wher
we left the church; we started to Mr.
Poston's. We struck and Tom got out
to apologize just as soon as he coulo
straighten car. Miller said he was
going to kill Tom. Miller was cursing
Tom was on ground, standing about
midway in road between cars. Miller
had pistol in his hand and was stand
ing to right of his car. Saw Tom
when he shot Miller, fired three shots
Miller did not fall until third shot
After Tom shot him we left. Tom
woke his sister and told them what
happened. Don't know whose fault ii
was. Toms sister walked her hus-
band, ]. C. Calder. Calder went to
Cades with. Alvin (Brockinton). Did
not notice that Tom was drinking.
We left church first; did not see AL
vim and Bernice leave. Tom carried
both of Us to church. Tom did not
seem scared when he came back to
car. Said he had shot him. Tom
wanted to come back and get car;
did not hear Miller say anything af-
ter he was hot. After Tom could not
get car off we went on to Mr.. Poston's.
After Tom shot him he went and look
ed at Mr.. Miller; saw pistol by light
of Mr.. Miller's car. Miller )said he
wouldn't apologize, had pistol in his
hand, and was going to kill Tom.
Lights were burning on Toms car
when shooting took place. Tom came
back to his car and shut off motor.
Tom and 1 left church about 11:3O,
got to Mr.. Poston's about 12.O0
o'clock. Tom first said he would not
tell his people what he had done, but
I told him to tell about it. He told
his sister what he had done, his
father was asleep and one of the girls
went into his room and told him."
Bernice Coker said: "When we came
up this morning saw man in road.
Mr.. Brockinton could not pass and
moved car, backed his car and went
in ditch. went to Mr.. H. L. Poston's
house, saw Gladys when 1 went in, she
told US about what had happened. Mr..
Brockinton told Calder about man Ill
road. Calder told him Tom did the
shooting. They then went to Cades.
Sister said Tom ano Mr.. Miller both
got out of car at one time and came
meeting in road and Miller told Tom
to 20 back to his own car. My sister
saw Tom shoot man, he was standing
at car when Tom shot. Family was
all in room when I went in except
Tom, he was in his room.
eve left home about TOO or S:OO
o'clock to 60 to preaching at Sandy
Bay Baptist church. After church we
came this way. Tom was ahead. Tom
brought both me and sister to church
and Mr.. Brockinton brought me from
there. Tom talked to Mr.. Brockinton
at church. We stayed at church about
one hour, did not stop between church
and this place"
J.C. Calder testified: "Mr. Brockln-
ton came to my room about loo
o'clock. Came down here and found
man lying on left side with pistol ly-
ing near his hand. Body was about
twelve feet from car, Rural police
said he had moved car. Went to Cades
for coroner, came back and stayed
about half hour. Miss Bernice Coker
went with MIR. Brockinton to Mr.. Pos
toms where / live. Mr.. Brochnton
did not call Tom. He hailed wnen ne
came to house. 1t was IL o'clock when
Tom came in, Miss Gladys Coker was
with him. Ton told me to come down
and help get car to house, did not say
what was wrong with car. Did not
call Mr.. Poston when Mr.. Brockinton
came. Said he had run against one
of the cars and got his car in dltch'
Did not ask ladies about wreck. Talk
cd with Poston only about wreck. Did
not call Tom because Mr.. Brockinton
did not require it; said Tom was
asleep and would not call him: Did
not talk to Tom about dead body, did
not tell him about it after going back
ito house. Did not tell my wife, sup
pose Miss Gladys Coker told her."
Alvin R. Brockinton, rural police
man (relieved from office by Sheriff
Gamble at the scene of the tragedy
Sunday morning) testified that "be,
tween 1900 and 100 o'clock he found
body of J. n. Mil" lying by his car
Went first to H. N4Ight's and then 70
n. L. Poston's house. Knew Poston