The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-06-15
Charles NJ. Shlpmnn, IS, Is Found
Dead on Farm OF Son-in.Law, w. w.
Taylor, Near Greenyille.

rope from branch OF low cedar tree
IN the rear of his son-in-law's home
near Chicks Springs, the lHeless body
OF Charles M. Shipman, G5-year-old
farmer, was found early yesterday
morning, and all through the day and
last night Sheriff Rector and Coroner
Vaughn were making careful inyes-
tigation into the cause Of his death.
The tree stands short distance
from the house in which Shipman's
uaughtcr and her husband, w. wv.
Taylor, aged 35, live, the house being
situated on the Spartanburg road, the
nrst on the east beyond the pond at
Shick Springs That they have suf-
dcient evidence to support the theory
that Shipman met foul play is the
statement Of the officers who plan to
continue the investigation today.
Coroner Vaughn last night issued
orders forbidding the burial of the
body, which was carried to the j. ID.
Woods morguc In Greer. The coroner
stated that he will impanel a jury to-
day and let the jurymen view the re-
mains, after which burial may be per-
mtted; or 1t may be decided to hold
the body until the inquest is held.
whether or not the inquest will be
held today, the coroner has not vet
determined. No arrests have been
made, as yet.
That Shipman had been having trou-
Bile with his relatives Is admitted by
them, and officers learned yesterday
that this trouble eliminated Tuesday
afternoon when Shipman's son-in-law
Taylor, swore out warrant for Ship
man before Magistrate James, Of Greer,
charging him with statutory offcnsc.
1t Is also stated that alleged miscon-
duct on Shipman's part caused his
wife, who Is living at Victor mill,
Greer, to separate from him some time
ago.
AS reported to the officers, the first
news OF the tragedy came from Mrs.
Taylor, who told Sheriff Rector and
Coroner Vaughn that she walked out
on the back porch OF her homo in the
early mornisg and saw her fathers
body. Immediately calling to her hus-
band and telling him that "Yondcr's
Pa, and he's hung himself" Taylor
then ran out Of the house, and called
for assistance.
Whether Shipman hanged himself or
was hanged by another, or killed In
some other fashion the officers do not
essay to say, but they are frank in
stating that they have reason to press
the investigation. In view or this, It
Is expected that Coroner Vaughn will
hold an inquest over the body today
or tomorrow.
One Of the chief reasoss the officers
have for working on the foul play
theory is a statement made to them, by
physician who knew Shipman, to
the effect that ono OF Shipman's arms
was so paralyZcd as to render it vir-
tually OF no service to him during his
life II would have been extremely
difficult, therefore, they say, for Ship
''ihh w h"'c ticu lIic rope 10 lnc
branch from which his body swung.
However, 1t Is regarded as quito possi-
bic that Shipman took his own life.
Dr. II. l.. Brockman Of Greer, who
made a post mortcm examination OF
the body Of Shipman, with Drs. Will
son and Atrial, stated that death was
due to strangulation.
However, the sheriff and coroner
found small glass near the spot
where Shipman hanged, and they is
sued orders that parts OF the body be
sent to the state laboratories in Colum-
bia for testing to determine IL Shipman
was poisoned. This has been done by
DR.. Brockman, and the result OF the
test probably will be known within a
few days.
Shipman evidently had been dead
several hours when the body was
found. His neck was not broken.
1t was difficult yesterday for officers
to obtain clear version of the story,
several Inconsistencies being contain
ed in the reports gathered by them.
The stories told by members of the
family varied some as to details, they
said.
That the officers have learned sew
eral features regarding the case which