The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-08-19
POLICEMAN KILLED
by UNKNOWN NEGRO
Fl. F. BROWN SHOT IN COLUM-
BIA WEDNESDAY.
Tragedy Occurs Shortly After Mid
night-Oe6cers Search City for
Slayer.
The State, 18th.

The State, 18th.
Henry Frank Brown of 1924 Lin
coin street, Camp Torrance, for
|nearly 20 years a member of the
Columbia police force, was shot and
killed by an unknown negro shortly
after midnight this morning. At 2:3O
O'Clock this morning the negro had
not been captured, but the police de-
partment had thrown out dragnet
over the city. Sheriff Heise also
iioined in the search shortly after the
tragedy and Coroner Scott went to
1.-THE scene Immediately to begin his
investigation.
! Mr.. Brown left the police station
| Just about 1:30 o'clock last night
and was en- route to his home on
Lincoln street, according to the po-
lice, when he noticed the negro ap-
parently prowling around a field at
the corner of Park and First streets,
Camp Torrance. The officer, it is
said, accosted the negro, asking him
"What are you doing darting around
here at this time of night?" The ne
gro, according to reports made to the
police, then turned and opened fire
Immediately.
Several Shots Fired.
Several shots were fired, all IN
quick, succession, according to neigh
bors, only one of the negro's shots
taking effect, however. This entered
the left side and apparently pierced
| the heart, causing almost immediate
death. Roy Leonard, the only eye
witness of the shooting, joined Of
Ulcers in the search for the negro. and
lit, was not known at the police sta
ton whether Mr., Brown had had a,
chance to return the -negre sfre be-
| fore he was wounded. Coroner
Scott, however, examined the officers
pistol last night and found that FIVE
of the six chambers had been emp
! tied.
| Mr.. Brown was evidently caught
unprepared for the negro's action,
the police believe, for he was still
carrying his coat hanging over his
left arm when he fell. His pistol
was found lying by his right side
where it had evidently dropped from
bis hand while the holster lay or the
left, almost beside the body.
| Negro Disappears.
The negro, who was described to
the police by Leonard as being a
black negro about 25 years old, left
the scene Immediately, according 70
iLeonard, running west down First
street toward the railroad tracks.
Leonard, according to the police, was
only a short distance behind Mr..
Brown and was close enough to hear
the officers conversation with the
negro. Leonard, noticing Mr.. Brown
fall, according to reports to officers,
Immediately ran toward the negro in
! tending to hold him for the police or
to take his pistol, it is thought. The
negro, however, opened fire on him,
| it is said, and Leonard gave up the
chase pending the arrival Of rein
forcemerts.>
Up to an early hour this morning
nothing had been seen of the fleeing
negro, although officers had begun
the pursuit almost Immediately after
the killing. The negro, Leonard told
the police, was wearing a striped shirt
and dark trousers.
Mr.. Brown was one of the oldest
men on the police force in the point
of service and, according to Chief
Strickland, was one of the most valu-
able men in the service. He is sur
vived by his wife; several children,
his mother and his brother, R. T.
Brown, also a member of the police
force.
The inquest will be held at the
court house at o'clock tonight.
Roy Leonard, the only eye witness,
was on his way home to his residence
on Columbia avenue, when the trag-
edy occurred.
One cause of auto accidents is out