The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-10-28
FARMER SLAIN
NGROLYNCHED
EUGENE P. WALKER KILLED AT
APPLETON
Ed. Kirkland Taken From Allen
dale Sheriff at Fairfax and
Body Burned
The State.

0Sy
The State.
Allendale, Oct. 24.-Eugene P.
Walker, a. prominent farmer of Ap-
pleton, about four miles from here,
was shot and instantly killed this
morning about 10 o'clock by a negro
tenant named Ed. Kirkland. A mob
which formed Immediately upon
the hearing Of the killing took Kirk
land from Sheriff Bennett at Far
fax, this afternoon from Seahoard
train No. 2, upon which the sheriff
was attempting to take the prisoner
to Columbia for safe keeping and
taking him to the scene of the crime
in the center Of the town Of Apple
ten burned him, the cremation taking
place about 9 o'clock, according to
reports.
The killing of Mr.. Walker arose out
of a difficulty over a settlement for
rent due Walker, some difficulty hav-
ing been had between Mr.. Walker and
Kirkland on last Saturday, it is said.
This morning Mr.. Walker met Kirk
land on the streets of Appleton and
demanded a settlement, whereupon
the negro drew a gun and shot him.
The shot entering the head Of Mr..
Walker and killing him instantly. The
negro attempted to make his escape,
but was captured about a mile from
Appleton, by a party Of men who
turned him over to Sheriff Bennett.
In the meantime mob was being
formed all owe the county and when
news reached the mob that the negro
was in the hands of the sheriff and
that he intended to spirit him away to
Columbia every avenue of escape for
the sheriff and his prisoner was shut
off. Portions of the mob were at ev-
cry station in the vicinity, it is said,
even the bridge at Columbia being
picketed.
The sheriff took a. roundabout route
to- Gibbons, S. c., where he boarded
the ,Seaboard train with Kirkland,
making a detour requiring over five
hours, hiding him between two OF the
coaches. When the train reached Fair
fax it was met by mob of several
hundred who boarded the train and
searched every coach from the mail
car to the last Pullman in search OF
the prisoner. He was finally located
and jumped from the train and tried
to escape. He was shot at several
times and hit, but was still conscious
when the mob carried him through the
country and reached Appleton, the
scene tef the crime. The mob was as
sembled at Appleton while the uneon-
scious body of the negro lay IN an
automobile in the middle OF the
streets and then disappeared appar-
ently quiet with no violence evident.
When the shades of night had gather
ed, upon previous arrangements, 1t
seems, the members gathered again
and burned the body of the negro gust
on the main thoroughfare of the town.
There was no excitement about the
affair. It,seems everything took place
in a quiet, matter of fact way. No
details as to the final burning could
be learned, as all the members of the
mob were masked at Fairfax when the
train was boarded and searched.
This is the first mob demonstration
that has occurred in this county since
its formation.
), There was considerable excitement
here a few weeks ago in regard to the
capture of Memminger Priester, but
there was no mob spirit exempllfed
there, as everyone in the mob was
member of the sheriff's posse ana at
sll5 times completely under his con-
trol Sheriff Bennett is receiving un-
stinted praise here on the manner IN
which he, handled the situation mere
today, having used every means within
his power to avoid the results. 1t Is
estimated that over 1900 men were
at some time members of the ,e mob
here today, being scattered all over
this county, and other counties, 1t has
been stated.
Eugene Payton Walker, the siam
man: was a member of one OF the
most prominent families in this entire
section and was popular all over this
state. His father, Capt. n. NJ. Walker
e his W2V CC