The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-12-08
FAY POSITION KILLED;
HIS FATHER INJURED
YOUNG MAN SHOT TO DEATH
WHILE ON FOX HUNT-BEN-
TON SURRENDERS.

Fay Poston, eighteen year old son
of Fin Poston, was shot to death last
Thursday, December 1, it is alleged
by Jim Benton, both citizens of the
Johnsonville community. In addition
to the killing of Fay Poston, Alger
Poston, a brother, and Fin Poston,
father of the two boys was also shot
and painfully if not seriously wound
ed. Immediately after the shooting
Benton made his escape into the
swamp and remained at large until
Saturday when he gave himself up
to Magistrate Mcknight at Cowards,
in Florence county.
The following account of the kill
ing of young Poston and surrender
of Benton is taken from the Charles
ton News and Courier:
"Fay Poston, aged eighteen, was
killed and his brother, Alger Poston'
perhaps mortally wounded in a shoot
ing at Johnsonville, about thirty miles
from Florence this afternoon. Three
others are said to be wounded, IL
Guiding Jim Benton, who is said to be
responsible for the killing of Poston
and the wounding of his brother.
at was reported late tonight that
Benton was surrounded in swamp
by a posse and that his escape was
impossible. News of the shooting was
brought to Florence this afternoon
by a messenger who came to procure
ammunition for the posse Of john
sonville citizens who had set out to
capture Benton. This messenger was
able to give only meager details OF
the shooting which occurred some dis
tance from the town of Johnsonvllle.
'It appears from his story that Pos
ton and his brother were members OF
a hunting party organized by DR.. K. l..
Cockfeld, a prominent physician and
president of bank at Johnsonyille,
for the entertainment Of a friend from
Virginia visiting him. The party had
strayed on the fifteen-acre tract OF
land owned by Jim Benton and 1t IS
stated the latter opened fire on the
party with a rifle as soon IS they
crossed his line. Young Poston is re-
ported to have been shot from his
horse. Alger Poston was struck by a
bullet as he was bending over the
prostrate form of his trother. Imme-
diately after emptyirg his rifle Ben
ton fed to the swamp, itais alleged.
Citizens organized a posse as soon as
they heard of the shooting, sur
rounded the swamp and sent to Flor
ence to notify the sherifFs office.
Johnsonville is without telephone
communication. The Poston family
is prominent in that section of Flor
ence county. 1t is reported that the
people of Johnsonville are greatly
aroused over the shooting.
Benton Surrendered.
J. C. NJ. (Jim) Benton, who, 1t is
alleged, shot and killed Fay Poston
and wounded others when they went
upon his lands Thursday while hunt
ing near Johnsonville, surrendered
himself to Magistrate o. w. Nc
Knight, at Cowards this morning.
He was brought to Florence imme-
diately after he gave himself up. Bare
footed and hatless and weak from the
lack of food. Benton presented a pitt
full spectacle when he alighted from
an automobile at the jail.
Several special deputies rode in the
car with Benton as a matter of pre-
caution. AS soon as he passed the
Jail doors Benton asked for ply
sician to examine his wounds which
he declared were giving him consider
able pain. 1t was discovered that five
deer or buckshot had entered his back
and were buried in the muscles.
Arriving here just at dinner time a
plate containing wholesome food was
placed before Benton and he attacked
it sayagely.
"I haven't had a mouthful to eat
since Thursday" he said, Except for
one biscuit which I ate on the road
from Cowards here"
According to Benton's story he has
been trying to get to Florence to sur
render since he learned he had killed
young Poston. When the second par
ty arrived at his home and a battle
ensued between himself and the father
of Poston and one or two friends, in
which he was wounded in the back
and his hat shot from his head, Ben
ton declared he realized that it would
De necessary for him to hide for a
BIyoe and then tn make his way to