The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-08-19
SHOOTING AFFRAY
CAUSES DEATHS
THREE PERSONS SLAIN IN
AUGUSTA.
Eight Wounded in Near Riot Started
By Chauffeur IL Georgia City.
Others Suffer Hurts.

Augusta, Ga, Aug. 1G.-TArco
persons are dead and eight wounded
as the result Of a shooting affray
here this afternoon in which whites,
negroes and city and county police
were involved.
The dead: Ben T. .H:ghtower,
white, manager of a local wagon
works; w. w. Moore, police officer,
and Walter Smalley, negro chauffeur.
The wounded: William. F. Britt,
police chauffeur; C. w. Hardeman,
police officer; w. U. Redd, chief Of
detectives; If Stewart, automobile
mechanic; Grover C. Reid, automobile
mechanic; J. H. Stanton, wheel
wright; L. N. Blackstone, occupation
unknown; A. Evans, mechanic.
All the wounded are ;white, al
thought two negroes are reported
wounded. An unidentified white wo-
man is reported to have been shot as
she passed in an automobile. The
known wounded are those only who
have been reported at hospitals.
/ Shots by Negro.
The trouble began at the wagon
works when the negro Smalley,
chauffeur for DR.. W. W. Battey, one
of Augustus leading physicians, and
who, it is said, had been struck by
Mr.. Hightower earlier in the day
after he had called the wagon works
manager "a liar" returned with
shotgun and shot Mr.. Hightower to
death. Mr.. Hightower at the time
was talking to DR.. Battey, who fol-
lowing the homicide went to tele-
phone and called the police.
From the wagon works, Snalley is
said by witnesses to have walked
) out on the. sidewalk, seated himself
on the curbing and started firing at
every white person he saw. When the
police arrived in the patrol and the
detective automobile, the negro fired
into both vehicles, wounding Officers
Britt and Hardeman, both occupants
Of the detectives car and then fled
to Perry's bottom, negro settlement
in the neighborhood, and took refuge
in a house. Leaving the house
Smalley continued firing and was
shot to his knees by the officers. Re-
loading his gun he is alleged to have
fred at Officer Moore, killing him
! instantly. A few seconds later the
! negro was himself slain, being practi-
cally riddled with bullets.
Armed Men Assemble.
Reports of the affray spread rapid
ly and before Smalley was slain
tsmall army of whites, heavily armed
and highly incensed had gathered.
Several negroes in the neighborhood
were threatened with violence and
fled only to- be captured. Cries of
'lynch 'em" were reechoed by the
crowd but the police reserves reach
ed the scene in time to prevent any
general trouble.
Reports are current that several
negroes aided Smalley but no official
verification of the rumor could be
obtained at II o'clock tonight.
City police and county officers
quickly dispersed the crowds gather
ed in the vicinity of the affray but
for several hours the crowds regath-
cred and talk of revenge was rife.
Several times demonstrations were
made against negroes but authori-
ties interviewed in time to prevent Sc
rious trouble.
The entire police force is on duty
and is prepared to cope with any
emergency.
Five negroes are being held by the
police for investigation.
City and county authorities main
tain that there has been no race
riot.
Augusta, Ga, Aug. 1G.-1ncendiar-
ism against negroes property was
reported in two cases early this morn
ing.
One incident occurred earlier in
the night when the automobile in
which the negro Smaliey drove to
the wagon works and from which he
aliehted to meet his death was fired
supposedly by members Of the crowd
assembled at the time.
Another incident was reported