The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-11-22
DEPUTY SHERIFF
PROPST KILLED
Lee McHargee Runs Amuck in
:. Kannapolis, n. c.. Killing
8 - One Officer and Wound
ing Four Others
echarlotte, n. G. observer).

SCQdrlOICS, N. X. oDSSIPSII
+ Concord. Nov. 17.-Deputy Sher-
If w. F. Propst, of Cabarrus coun-
ity, was shot and killed, and three
other. officers and civilian were
wounded in Kannapolis tonight by
Lee McHarge, white man, AZ years
! of age, who had been living in
Kannapolis for several, weeks, ac-
fcordIng to information received
here by Coroner Davis, of this
scounty. Coroner Davis went to
iKannapolis to, hold an inquest to-
night.
According to available infornla-
ton here at 10 O'Clock, the shoot
Esng began shortly after 6 o'clock,
when McHarge walked into a cafe
in Kannapolis and drew his gun as
Though to rob the place. Chief
EBoger. of the Kannapolis police,
twas passing the cafe at the time
I and he rushed. in to arrest Nc
Harge. The latter fired on and
fstruck the, chief. also wounding a
man named Bostian, whip was
walking On the street. outside the
cafe. He then escaped.
! Chief Boyer hurried to Concord
ITO get his wounds dressed and to
knot:fy Sheriff Spears: He located
Deputy Sheriff Propst, who went to
Kannapolis, where he was Joined
t-by Patrolmen Swing and Pruett
and r. NJ. Mousel, a garage owner
OF Kannapoiis. The party went to
West Kannapolis to search for
McYarge, and after waiting in
front of store for few minutes,
saw him enter. the store.
/ They followed and when Nc
! aHarge saw. them he opened fire
again, Mr.. Neusel being the only
zone in the party not injured.
I Mr. Propst was struck in the
right chest and died within a few
minutes. Patrolman Swing suffer
ed only a flesh wound. but Patrol
man Pruett was struck in the alb
domen and is believed to be serious
ly injured.
!. eMcHarge kept up his firing until
his ammunition was exhausted: |:
then he surrendered. He used a
las. caliber six-shooter. He was
wounded twice, but at 10 o'clock
l'tonight was reported as resting
comfortably in the Kannapolis Jail,
where he was lodged.
| According to .one report here,
McHarge entered the cafe to even
counts with man with whora it
is alleged he had been gambling.
Just as he drew his gun he was
seen by Chief Boyer, who tried TO
arrest him. the shooting following.
Mr.. Propst was about 55 years Of
age, and is survived by his wife,
two sons. Garah and Caldwell
f;Propst, both travelling druggists,
making their headquarters in
fSouth Carolina, and one daughter,
Miss Mary Propst. He had served
as deputy sheriff of this county for
more than 20 years. and his term
WoQlo ShIllt GU III DSSSHtDcI
twien the democrats take charge Of
1.-THE county again.
An autopsy located the bullet
which killed him in his left back,
it having entered the right chest
and crossed until it struck his
backbone, where it lodged. He was
tshot only once. Chief Boyer was
shot in the right leg. Patrolman
Swing suffered mouth wound and
Partolman Pruett was struck in his
abdomen. Bostian was struck in the
right side and is painfully injured.
The men were all rushed to the
Concord hospital, where Mr..
Propst died, and where the wounds
Of the other men were dressed.
The death OF Mr. Propst ana the
wounding of the other men has
caused great excitement here and
in Kannapolis.