davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
BENTON WARNED
POSTON BEFORE
SHOOTING Him
New Light Thrown on
Killing Of Fox Hunt
ers in Florence
County

Florence, Dec. Jim Benton,
who yesterday afternoon shot ana
killed Fay Poston and wounded
Alger Poston when the two, broth
ers are said to have trespassed
upon the farm Of Benton after
having been warned not to do SO
and later shot and slightly wound
ed the dead mans father VIXEN he
visited the scene Of the shooting,
was still at large tonight, although
the posse had not given up It's
search. It is now thought that
Benton has succeeded in getting
out Of the swamp and has left the
community. Sheriff Burch stated
tonight that he believed Benton
would give himself up when dan
ger he feared from the posse had
passed 1t was reported this after
noon that feeling against Benton
was high and that he might be
handled if captured by the baIG OF
>Johnsonville citizens IN search of
him. Benton is said to be armed
with a Springfield rife and g pis:l-
,iful supply Of steel poinrco BID
lets. He is credited with being a
crack shot.
The body of Fay Poston was
buried today at Johnsonville. Alger
Poston, though seriously wounded,
is said to have a good chance for
recovery. Few additional details
have been obtained Of the shoot
ing. 1t was learned today that DR..
r. L. Cockfeld and his friends were
not at the scene of the killing OF
Poston, having made a detour to
reach the SPOT where the hunt was
TO begin.
According to officials here Ben
ton is said to- have warned hunt
ers repeatedly to keep off his lands.
Some time ago he is said to have
shot the dogs Of hunting party
and to have warned its members OF
grave consequences should they
persist in coming on his place.
Sheriff Burch stated today that he
had been informed that when the
Postons started to cross Benton's
line yesterday they were halted by
BENTON and told not to trespass.
The shooting, according TO the
sheriff. followed the ensuing dis
pute. Sherih's deputies are with
the posse and it is believed viii pre-
vent violation of law Should Ben
ton be found in the community.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Ford at Muscle Shoals.

! Florence, Ala, Dec. 3.-I1enry
Ford and Thomas A. Edison late to-
day inspected the great Wilson
dam which constitutes the nu-
cleus around which Ford proposes
to build an industrial empire in the
south.
! On arrival here Mr. Ford and
Mr.. Edison proceeded to Wilson
dam, driving thu ough the streets
Of Florence where they were ac-
corded a tremendous ovation. En
route to Florence Mr. Ford talked
freely to newspaper men who We're
on his special trnin. He empha-
sized the fact that he had not in
any way changed his original bid
for the Muscle Shoals project and
that his visit was mainly to allow
Mr.. Edison to visualize the project
in its entirety and to verify the
original figures submitted by Ford's
engineers.
The main point Of difference be.
tween him and the government
Mr.. Ford said, lay in the cost Of
completion Of Wilson dam. Esti.
mates Of army engineers range
from $4,000, 900 to s55, 100000 an6
Mr.. Ford contends that his origina
figure of $2O,000,e00 is ample fol
the work. The automobile manu-.
facturer declared that his sole in.
terest in Muscle Shoals was no
commercial.
We want Muscle Shoals" he
said, because we want q job-anG
we want to help provide cheaI
fertilizer for the farmers Of the
nation
When asked what he knew abou
nitrates Mr.. Ford said: Il don
know a thing about nitrates-Mr
Edison is here to take care Of that
We might make aluminium, W,
might make cloth, we might make
steel or we might make automobil,
parts-we won't need nearly al
the power we Will have TO max,
, nitrates."
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Benton Surrenders
To Sherifff { {
Killer of Fox Hunters Gives
Up After Spending Three
Days in Swamp

Florence, Dec. 81. c. M.
(Jim) Benton, who, it is alleged,
shot and killed Fay Poston and
wounded others when they went
upon his lands Thursday While
hunting near Johnsonville, sur
rendered himself to Magistrate o..
w. Mcknight at Cowards this
morning.
He was brought to Florence i'm
mediately after he gave himself up.
Barefooted and hatless and weak
from the lack of food, Benton pre-
sented a pitiful spectacle when he
alighted from an automobile at the
Jail.
Several special deputies rode in
the car with Benton as a matter of
precaution. AS soon as he passed
the Jail doors Benton asked for a
physician to examine his wounds
which he declared were giving
him considerable pain. 1t was dis
covered 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 savagely.
q haven't had mouthful to eat
since Thursday" he said, except
for one biscuit which ate on the
road from Cowards here"
According to Benton's story he
has been trying to get to Florence
to surrender since he learned he
had killed young Poston. When
the second party arrived at his
house ard battle ensued be-
tween himself AID the father Of
PcS.on ard cnc or two friends, IN
which nc vas wounded il the back
and his hat shot from his head,
Benton declared ne realized that it
would be necessary for him to hide
for a time and then to make his
way to the sheltering arms of the
county prison. This he was able
to do because Of his intimate
Knowledge OF the swamps. Sever
al times. he said today, the posse
was within striking distance of him.
Benton still had his rife and a sup
ply of ammunition. when he reach
ed Cowards this morning. He con-
tends that he had repeatedly warn
ed everybody about hunting on
his lands and that before the
shooting which resulted in Fay
Poston's death and the serious
! wounding OF his brother, he gave
the men plenty of warning. Ben
ton would make no statement for
publication. He is 55 years old
and married, but has no children.
Deputy Sheriff Joe Connor, who
returned to the city this morning,
declared that the posse which
! had been searching for Benton had
practically disbandeG. except for
r.en stationed at various points in
the Johrsonville section and on the
roads ledaing to Kingstree where
Benton was supposed to have been
making his way.
Reports from Johnson,1lle are
that -Alse: Poston's condition re-
mains satisfactory Fen Postor,
the father Of the two boys. has a
gunshot wound in his hand.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Income Tax Ruling

Washington. Dec. 2.-Interest
on Liberty bonds held by corpora
tfons is exempt from the corpora
ton income tax Of the new reve-
nue. law under formal ruling Is
sued tonight by the internal reve-
nue. bureau.
Under the revenue act of l91S.
the ruling said. Interest on Liberty
bonds held by corporations was en-
empt from the corporation income
tax. and such interest is also eN-
empt from the corporation income
tax under the revenue act OF W. /.
Liberty bonds interest. however.
which is distributed in the form
OF dividends, remain subject to sur
taxes in the hands OF stockholders
in the same respect as other d!vl-
dcpdS
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
\
The Conference
of Governors

Columbia, Dec. 2.-R. a. Wat
kins, Gov. Cooper's private secre-
tary, went to Charleston today to
cooperate with the Charleston COM
mittee in charge of plars FIR en-.
tertainirg the Governor Confer
ence which opens in Charleston
next Monday. Governor Cooper
will go to Charleston Sunday.
About half, or possibly mere, OF
the governors of the co>:n,1y are
expected to attend the inference
The Official program of tie gath
ering was received by Governor
Cooper today. The conference will
open at 1880 next Monlay, with
an address of welcome by Gov.
| Cooper. To this Gov. D. w. Da-
Wis, Of Idaho, Will respond. After
the morning session the people Of
Charleston Will give the governors
an automobile ride over Charleston,
to- many points Of Interest. In the
afternoon there will be discus
sion, led by Congressman Merrill
Moores, Of Indiana, Of "CoIapacts
and Agreements Between States,
under the United States Constitu-
ton. Article l. Section TO-
From 4 to next Monday after
noon there will be q reception 70
the governors aboard the flagship
of the destroyer feet, nov station
ed in Charleston harbor. Monday
evening there will be a discussion.
led by Gov. Samuel r. McKelvie, Of
Nebraska, OF Agricultural Credit.
Tuesday morning Governor Thos.
W. Hardwick, of Georgia, will lead
a discussion Of income taxation,
and at noon that day the govern
ors will be given boat trip
around Charleston harboI 18th
luncheon on board the vessel In
the afternoon there will ne re-
view Of naval and military forces
stationed at Charleston Tuesday
evening Governor Henry J. AiIen,
of Kansas, will lead a discussion
Of Industrial Peace in Essential
Industries
w eOneSCaN morning the SOFcTN-
ors will discuss railroad rates and
state control, with Gov John J.
Blaine, Of Wisconsin as the chief
speaker on the subject. IN the af-
ternoon there VIII be a reception for
the governors and their parties. In
the evening there will be smoker,
after which the guests Will leave
for Washington. The Thursday ses-
sion Of the conference will be held
in Washington. with reception at
the White House, by President and
Mrs. Harding.
This is the thirteenth annual
conference Of the COVE, nors. The
business sessions in Charleston will
be held in Colonial Hail. The Vii
Ia Margherita will be headquar-
ters for the distinguished visitors
during their stay. 1t IS probable
that several members Of Governor
Cooper's staff Will accompany him
to Charleston. where he Will be
host to the visiting Chief magis-
trates.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Governor to Welcome
Marshal Foch


Columbia, Dec g. = Governor
Cooper's entire staff is being invit-
cd to be in Greenwood with the
governor on the 9th, when Marshal
Foch passes through. Governor
Cooper will represent the state in
the welcome tc be given the great
Frenchman. a Number Of officers
OF the National Guard will also at
tend the ceremonies attendant up
on the visit Of the marshal.
Morris c. Lumpkin, Of Columbia
state commander Of the American
Legion will likewise be among
those to take an official part in
the welcome to Foch.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
FOUND DEAD
BY SIDE OF
RAILROAD
Mrs. Sarah Seibles Of
Columbia Fell From
Seaboard T r a n
Near McBee

Columbia, Dec 3.-Mrs. Sarah
Seibels, Of Columbia, an aged
member of q prominent family
here, was found dead near the Sea-
beard tracks, just south Of Mc6ee,
this morning. Death was pre-
sumably the result of fall from
a train. She left Columbia Friday
afternoon at $3.50 bound for New
YORK. The belief is that in passing
|. from the dining car back to her
Pullman, she fell from g. car plat
form, through an open door. a
railroad man found her body this
morning
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Free Garden Seed

Washington, Nov. 30.-Senator
n. Il. Dial has announced that he
would be pleased to hear from any
constituents in South Carolina who
wish 20 receive any of the govern
men:'s free seed for planting dur
ing the coming spring. The lists
are now being made up in Wash
ington and any persons wishing 20
receive these seed should send their
names to Senator Dial Immediately
and he Will see that they receive
their Qlh;l.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Morse Protests
Innocence

Havre, Dec. 9. - Charles w.
Morse was detained on the liner
Paris when she docked here today.
Morse said he was unaware that
he was wanted in America until so
informed last night and had plan
ned going to Paris for a kidney
operation. but intended returning
to the United States shortly.
He said he was willing to return
to the United States by the next
steamer
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
EDISON
APPROVES
F0RD'S BID
\ Americas Greatest In
ventor Says Govern
ment Should Accent
Offer For Muscle
Shoals

Florence, Ala. Dec. 5.-The in
dustrial possibilities of Muscle
Shoals are practically unlimited
Thomas A. Edison said here to-
night.
1t was at the end of a busy day
spent with Henry Ford in re-
survey Of the government property.
Mr.. Ford's offer is substantial,
Mr.. Edison said, 'and beats what
anybody else would bid. The gov
ernment should accept it"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Strikers y i'll
Lose Jobs

Chicago, Dec. 8. Coincidcnt
with the Armour & Company order
that all employees who strike Mon
day against the ten per cent wage
cut will lose their places. Swift &
Co., advertised for men to fill the
vacancies should the union men
ST rjlso
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Koreans Sent
to Prison
Sixteen Convicted Of Plotting
Against japanese

Seoul, Korea. Dec. 3.-Sixteen
koreans who were accused Of hay
ing fomented an abortive plot
aeainst the japanese during the
American congressional party visit
wear ago, have received prison
sentences ranging from one to six
teen years.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

Detroit. Dec. 3.-A two day nat
ional conference of the uncmploy-
ed has begun here Government
aid and naturalization Of some
basic industry so that work might
be apportioncd among greater
numbers are two OF the relief
measures discussed.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

Florence, Dec. 1.-The Florence
Times tonight received the follow
ing dispatch from Johnsonville:
when Fay Poston, Alger Poston
and Dallas Poston Of this place
crossed near the yard Of J. c. NJ.
Benton about three miles west Of
here early this morning, Benton
shot at ell three OF them, killing
Fay Poston and hitting Alger
Poston whose injuries have not
been fully determined. Dallas
Poston escaped without injury. The
three young men We're in party
on fox chase. the party having
divided and these three were
passing Near Benton's place. Alger
Poston, making his escape, was
hurried to this place for medical
treatment and spread the news Of
the shooting. Not knowing at the
time whether Fay Poston was dead
or not, Fin Poston, the father Of
the dead man. in company with E.
c. Fentress, went to the scene Of
the shooting and as they approach
ed the house, Poston going toward
his dead son, Benton left his house
by the back and others drove up
about the same time. Some shots
were exchanged, one Of which hit
Fin PostCn in his hand, another
passing through the sleeve of Ma
son Elan. These shots We're fired
by Benton at long range from 4
.32 rife. Benton escaped into the
river swamp and up to this hour
has not been caught, although
there is a large posse on each side
Of the river and bloodhounds are
being put on the trail Deputy
Sheriffs joe Conner and Eichel-
berger are here and every effort is
being made to capture Benton"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Arrest of Morse
Ordered

Paris, Dec. 2.-The Havre po-
lice have been instructed by the
French ministry to arrest Charles
w. Morse. the American shipbuild-
er and financier as soon as he lands
from the liner Paris.
French police, after conference
with Consul General Ingram, per
mitted Morse to land when he
agreed TO leave for the United
States Monday.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
PACKERS STRIKE
ORDERED MONDAY

Chicago. Dec. 2.-Ohicials Of the
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and
Butcher Workmen have sent out
instructions for = strike of the en-
ployes Of big FIVE" packers next
Monday
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
JEWISH LEADERS
WILL RAISE S14,000,000

Atlanta. Dec. 2.-Jewish leaders
from the southeast are conferrlnS
here on plans to raise fourteen
million dollars for the relief Of
the people Of the famine stricken
portions of eastern Europe.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

Charleston, Dec 3.-Nolnntary
petitions in bankruptcy were filed
today in the tinted States eastern
district court by Phillips & Co, Of
Sumter. who lists liabilities as
$70.713. 30 and assets rs $57, 1892:
and by Nesmith Flowers & Co, of
Eingstree. who lists liabilities as
$29.22162 and assets as $24,S57.S0.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

Chicago, Dec. Babe Ruth's
share of world series money has
been declared forfeited. Ruth him.
self was suspended until May 21st.
1922. by Commissioner Lands to-
day. for participating in postseason
transforming tour. This keeps him
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

Kansas City. Kan, Dec. 3.-Rep-
resentatives Of the Union Packing
House Workers ignored the sum
mons issued by the Kansas court OF
I'D lstrial relations which was
convener TO consider the threaten
ed strike.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
ARMAMENT
CONFERENCE
CONF PROMISE
Representatives Of
United States, Great
Britain and Japan
Consider Naval Plan
IN Secret Session

washington, Dec. "A new
stage in the negotiations over the
question OF naval ratio. described
as .yery favorable is understood
to have been reached at tonight's
conference between the representa-
tives of the United States, Great
Britain and Japan.
After the conference between
Secretary Hughes, Admiral Baron
Kaso and Arthur J. Balfour, was
concluded. the japanese delegation
Immediately began communicating
with Toxic.
This Official communique was is
sued:
Arthur =. Balfour, Admiral Bar
on Kato and Secretary Hughes met
at the state department this after
noon and had an extended inter
view with respect to the naval pro-
sails. No comment on the inter-
view can be made at this time.
The conference lasted about two
hours and intimations were given
at it's conclusion that basis existed
for some optimism One delegation
spokesman referred to 1t as one Of
the most important discussions yet
held which would mean much to
the success Of the conference as a
whole. The result was most favor
able, he added.
There We're some indications be-
ing construed to mean that the
japanese viewpoint on naval ra-
ito was being brought, more ;nto
harmony with the American. It
was understood that in the dis
cnssions OF Far Eastern affairs to-
day some concessions Of opinion
were made toward the japanese
contentious regarding mainten-
ance Of foreign troops in China.
By some this was interpreted as
meaning that the japanese were
making concessions on the naval
question.
Some Of the unofficial japanese
observing the conference expressed
the opinion that today's conference
had to do with some projected
terms OF compromise which has
first to be referred to Toxic; as the
Official Japaneses here are without
pienipo entiary powers, and as the
coming agreement had to be con-
sidered In Toxic, with regard to its
effect ON the present japanese min
istry.
These japanese who have been
wen informed OF the progress of
the negotiations pointed out that
an agreement by which the Japa-
nese navy woaId be permitted to
retain the superdreadnaught Mutsu
and by which the United States
would agree to fortify its Pacific
bases no further, would according
to japanese calculations place the
japanese naval ratio At approx
mately IS to Sc per cent instead
of the go per cent stipulated by
the American proposals.
Washington, Dec. 3.-Great Brit
ain. Japan and France each agreed
to relinquish much Of the leased
territory in China, at the session
OF the committee OF nine powers.
The japanese, it is said, agreed
to relinquish the leased holdings
IN Shantung and it is reported Of
fered to discuss retirement from
special privileges in Manchuria.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

New York. Dec 3.-An imme-
diate cut OF ten per cent in the
wages OF twelve thousand New
York City shoe workers was an
nounccd today by the arbitration
hoard
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

New York. Dec. 3.-This week
WAS one o. the most active on the
stock exchange. the turnover in
bonds exceeding twenty million dol
lars for each full session.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
FOX HUNTERS
SH0TT0DEATH
NEARFL0RENCE
jim Benton Opens Fire
W i t h Winchester
When P arty Of
Hunters Crossed His
Land

Florence, Dec. 1.-Fay Poston.
aged IS. was killed and his broth
or. Alger Poston, perhaps morally
wounded in a shooting at John-
sonville, 50 miles from Florence,
today. Three others are said to be
more or less seriously wounded, IN
Guiding jim Benton, who is said to
he responsible for the killing OF
poston and the wounding of his
brother. 1t was reported late to-
night that Benton was surrounded
in a swamp by posse and that his
escape was impossible. News OF
the shooting was brought to Flor
once this afternoon by a nnesseng-
er who came to procure anmunl-
ticn for the posse Of Johnsonvllle
citizens who had set out to capture
Benton. This messenger was able
to give only meager details OF the
shooting, which occurred some dis
tanca from the town Of Johnson
vile. It appears from his story
that postcn and his brother were
members Of @ hunting party or
galized Ly DR.. r. L. Cockheld, a
prominent: physician and president
of a bank at Johnsonville, for the
entertainments of e. friend visiting
him from Virginia. The party had
strayed on the IS acre tract g land
owned by Jim Benton and is stat
ed the latter opened fiji on the
party with a Winchester rifle as
soon as they crossed IS line.
Young Poston is reporte to have
been shot from his horse. Alger
Poston was struck by bullet'as he
was bending over the PROSTATE
form Of his brother. : CocAaeld
escaped the rain Of bullets, but
his Virginia friend struck IN
The hand and in the i according
to reports. Two othec embers OF
the party we're inju, I'd how Sc
riously is not known 1T his hour.
Immediately after Drying his
rife Benton fed to It. swamps.
Citizens organized posse as soon
as t'.ey heard of the shooting, sur
roun ling the swamp and sent to
Florence to notify the sher.ff's Of
fee. Deputies accompanied the
messenger to the scene. None Of
the wounded men had been
brought to hospitals here late to-
night. Johnsonville is without tel
ephone communication. Several
kilograms asking for details re-
main unanswered. The Poston
family is prominent in that section
of Florence county 1t is reported
that the people of JohnsonTille are
greatly aroused over the shooting.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

London, Dec. 2.-Premier Lloyd
George IS planning to leave Decem-
Der 18th for the Washington con-
ference. It is learned here.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

Join the marines and see the mai
robbers.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07

a fool and his car are soon
started.