The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-03-22
NEGRO OPENS
FIRE ON. CITY
POLICEMEN


pital as Resu.s of Wound
Received at Hands of Negro
Desperate. Officer j. H.
DnRant Has Miraculous Es-
cape from Serious Wound.
Reward is Offered For
Negro
Officer J.. NJ. Lawrence is now
IN the Tourney Hospital suffering
from a very painful wound which
he received early this morning at
the hands OF, q negro desperado.
identified as Willie DuRan1, and
the escape. OF Officer. J. II. DaRant
from a yey serious and in oil
probability a fataIweand from she
pistol in the hands OF the negro.
IS stated as being nothing short OF
lniraeGlous.
The unfortunate affair occurred
O'Clock this morning on Din
gle street. between SSumter and
Main streets, not far from the
Main street corner Officers ]. n.
DnRant and j. NJ Lawrence, both
riding BICYCLES. We're coming back
toward Main street from making
their rounds at. the warehouses of
that district, and saw two negro
men Walking down Dingle street.
Both police officers. got off Of their
wheels. Officer Lawrence being in
advance of Officer DnRant. One of
me negroes stopped. when he
came up to Officer Lawrence but
the other negro walked on past.
When this. second negro walked a
short distance, Officer DuRant
trrned his fash light on him. I'M
naedsateiy at this instant the negro
drew his gun and opened fire uoon
officer LaRant from distance
OF about Senty feet Officer Du-
Pant had also drawn his gun and
began exchanging shfos With the
negro. The first bullet from the
pistol of the negro hit Officer Du-
Rant directly in the side, the bull
let passing through his thick over
coat and being then detected after
II had struck a piece. Of steel on
belt which the officer was wearing
GGcer DuEant felt the impact OF
the bullet but was Gnscathed by
The second bullet from the
negro,s pistol hit officer Lawrence
) IN the middle of his chin and
,sassisg through his neck came bat
Just at the base Of his right
shoulder. The wound is very
painful one but not extremely Sc
rious. Both the negro and Officer
DuRant continued TO exchange
shots until both had emptied their
guns. The negro was all the
while retreating. and managed
finally TO evade the officers in the
darkness OF the early morning.
OMcer j. H. Lawrence required
immediate attentioa, as his wound
vas bleeding freely. Assistance
Was rendered by employees at the
Southern Railway yard. and Off
Ger. Lawrence taken 10 the Tourney
Hospital, where he Mas given the
hest OF medical attention.
The negro is web known by Of
6eer DuRant and was positively
identified as being Willie DuRant
alas Paney DuRant. The city is
offering $50 for his arrest and con-
y;etsoa and the police department
es the city is offering an additional
ss55e reward for information that
il lead to the arrest of the ne
gro by the police department. His
ABSORPTION is giyen as being a
dark ginger colorcd negro boy Of
about 2i years OF age. Round face
and thick lips Height about )
feet 4 inches. When last seen was
wearing q cap and q brown suit OF
Clothes. He Is an eeX-convict. hav-
ing been convicted and sentenced
to serve 5 years for attempting to
.< WIEN d s>SdDO1io U 31<iSs7S4-eoSi Si ~ -
near Florence about a year ago
bet made his escape after only
serving short tine. The negro
IS one of the most desperate of
criminals that this neighborhood
9llas had to deal Within some years.
Reports from the hospital state
that Officer Lawrence is resting as
we'll as can be expected. His
friends are everywhere expressing
aheir regret at his having received
this wound and are wishing For him
speedy recovery and are hoping TO
see him out again soon.
Everyone is rcjeiee6, at the es
cape from injury OF Officer DuRant,
who has a souvenir Of the occa-
sion both the bullet that hit him
and also the bullet which wounded
omcer Lawrence, this latter bullet
having fallen. OFT OF OGicer Law
rence's collar when he was getting
out of the automobile which had
carried him TO the hospital. The
bullets were from .3S caliber
pistol.
It is the hope that this vile and
desperate criminal Is soon 10 be
brought to account for his des-
perateiy murderous designs.