Evening star., 1937-12-13
SIX TO FACE TRIAL
| IN GUARD Staying
Hostage Dead After South
Cardinals Governor Makes
Futile Plea.
BY the Associated Press.

COLUMBIA, S. c., Dec. i3.-six
desperate convicts who slew their
hostage, the captain of the State peni.
tentiary guards, after defying . dra-
matte, two-hour plea to surrender by
Gov. Olin D. Johnston, were thrown
into Solitary today to await an early
trial.
Sheriff T. Alex Heise announced
that William B. Woods, 24-year-oId
highway robber, confessed he was the
one who stabbed the 61-year-old guard
captain, Olin Sanders, yesterday be-
fore the convicts were routed from
Sanders office by National Guards.
men hurting tear gas shells.
Prison officials said Sanders had
issued a standing order that in such
emergencies the demands of the pris.
oners should not be needed.
Begs in Vain for Life.
Adjt. Gen. James C. Dozier, who
begged in vain for Capt. Sanders life
after the Governor finished, said he
could hear Capt. Sanders talking sew
eral times. Once the captain said,
as he lay on the floor in his shirt
sleeves:
I'D like to live, and II there is
any way you can get me out of here,
sure would be glad"
Solicitor A. Fletcher Spigner said
the six prisoners would be tried in
January.
The prisoners, pounded by clubs
and billets as they stumbled from
the victims Office, were treated at
the prison inflrmary and questioned
1or hours by the authorities before
they were segregated in solitary cells.
Pursuing his daily custom, Capt,
Sanders had gone to his office In a
building In the prison yard after
breakfast. The six men, in the prison
YARD for the recreation period, ap-
preached him singly or in couples on
the ruse Of asking a favor.
In the Office they overpowered him
and demanded his automobile and
passage out Of the penitentiary gate.
Capt. Sanders was unarmed, since
regulations forbade carrying a gun
AA@eo ekAS PiAoOll ydlQ.
The first that the prison staff knew
anything was wrong was when Capt.
Sanders called Corpl. C.. L. Christmas
OF the prison guard, on duty in the
yard, to the window OF the Office,
Corpl. Christmas quoted Capt. Sanders
as saying:
Charlie. these boys have got me
tied up in here. They have a gun in
my ribs and want a car to get out"
Notified Governor.
Corpl. Christmas reported the situa-
tion to Col. j. S. Wilson, the super
intendent, who notified Gov. johnson.
Quickly more than 125 guards, con-
stables, police and National Guards
men assembled
Gov. johnson, rushing to the prison,
talked to the convicts through barred
window Of the captains Office and
offered them immunity from punish
ment if they would surrender.
One Of the felons shouted back:
Get us q car. Open the gates.
Otherwise it'll be too bad for Sanders"
For two hours the youthful Governor
pleaded.
We'll stay here until hell freezes
over" the convicts shouted back on
one occasion.
Said the Governor, relating the Incl
dent:
"They could have shot me easily II
they had had a gun, but was anxious
to do anything could to save Capt.
Sanders life
Only a Few Feet Away.
II was only a few feet away from
the men. could see them plainly and
they could see me. They had bound
Capt Sanders with hemp cord. One
of the men was standing close behind
Sanders. I suppose he had knife
in his back, but couldn't see that
Two minutes after the first tear gas
shell was hurled into the room pris-
oner shouted:
I'VE surrender. For Gods sake let
us out!"
One by one the convicts stumbled
out, hands appraised. On the floor lay
Capt. Sanders, bleeding profusely. He
died a few minutes later.
Roy Powell, secretary to Gov. john
son, said that the oflcers agreed after
the incident that acceptance OF the
convicts' demands would not have
saved Sanders
They would have taken him with
them and killed him anyhow" he said