Coroner's Report - 1908 to 1912

11

Arthur Richardson being Sworn says Nel & Pearce Davenport was coming along the road & Ella Crimes [?] son Demp called Ella a d- black Bitch and she repeated back I told them to hush & they refused Henry Beasley was coming across the field Dale Hansen [?] Charley Barksdale Had his gun in his hand when he came you all hush up Charley said you who do not hear me Henry Beasley said Ella was his cousin Pearce said to Henry lit her & Son demp decide it for you have nothing to do with it Henry you off from the crowd about then I saw him with a buck loader + shot Pearce & said he was not treating her right

L McMaris being sworn says Her & bud riley & [crosed out, "Winker"] Thomas was standing in James Cromby yard Henry come to the house and broke in and got his gun I and Bud Riley & Mister Thompson told him not to Break in the house He broke in any way L McMarris

Charley Barksdale being sworn Says When we started down there we heard a fuss we started once to the Store and heard them fussing Henry Beasley Said I hear Some one fussing lets go down there When we got there no one was fussing Henry said I am not Serving [?] at you -- what you Staring [?] up a me for Pearce Said you son of a Bitch [illegible] is no help for Henry went down the the RR then he came back towards Watts Mill had a gun in his hand then Pearce walked towards Henry. Henry walked towards Pearce + Pearce walked on and fell

Charley Barksdale

Robert Hammonds being Sworn Says When I came up they was disputing on RR I asked them what was the matter Elita [Meilam?] Said you all go ahead to let me + Son Settle it Pearce Beasley walked u + asked Henry Beasley who he had to do with it Henry said that is my cousin I says to Pearce to hush Pearce Davanport hunsed I told Henry to hush and they hushed I was Standing about 15 feet from them when the Shooting occurd

Robert Hammonds

Wister Thompson being Sworn Says Henry Beasley went to his Morhters house + broke opened the window and got his gun + came across the field with it I heard the gun fire he came back + threw the gun in at the window and ran off towards Mr [Bolts?]

Wister Thompson

Wile Yarcy [?] being Sworn says her + Pearce Davanport was standing on RR laughing + talking Henry Beasley + Charley Barksdale came to us + asked what was the matter I Said nothing Pearce cursed Henry + Pearce a D- son of bitch + Pearce called Henry a Son of a bitch Henry walked down the RR the next think I saw him with his gun Henry told Pearce he did not treat him right Next thing Henry Shot Pearce Davanport

Jane Crommie [?] being Sworn says I saw Henry Beasley when he come + went in the house + got the gun I hollerd at him He broke the window open to get in the house

Jane Crommie

Dr Pool Held the inquest

12

State South Carolina Laurens County

An inquisition indented [?] taken on Mr J.M. Workmans Place Hunter Town ship Laurens County July 21st a d 1908 before W D Watts Coroner for Said County upon [?] of the body of Fannie Floyd then and there being tried by the oaths of J G Chandler Foreman M B Chandler J A Davis T. P Davis Bill Pitts Pleas Atkins Mit Thrift Jim Workman Henry Wax Dozier[?] Douhty Bill Floyd Mack Ataway being a lawful jury of inquirers who having been charged & sworn to inquire for the State of South Carolina where & by what means said Fannie Floyd came to her death upon their oaths do Say She came to her death by a gunshot wound in the hands of Giles Wyatt In witness whereof I W D Watts Coroner and jurors aforesaid to this inquisition have interchangeably put our hand and Seal the day & year above mentioned

W D Watts Coroner (LS) J G Chandler Foreman (LS) M. B Chandler (LS) J A Davis (LS) T P Davis (LS) Bill Pitts (LS) Pleas Atkins (LS) Mit Thrift (LS) Jim Workman (LS) Hinry Wax (LS) Dozier Douty (LS) Bill Floyd (LS) Mack Ataway (LS)

13

South Carolina Laurens County Wade Pitts being Sworn says Shooting occurrd on Sunday Evening [?] July 19th 1908 I was called out of house Giles Wyatt was fussing and Giles smacks her and she said I am going in the house and Giles Said if you do I will Shoot Hell out of you She turned and Started in the House as she did Giles shot her

Wade Pitts X his mark

Lenard Workman being Sworn Says I was in the house and heard Giles Wyatt call Frannie out of House and heard him beating her and heard Giles say if you go in the house I will Shoot you and heard Pistal fire and I came to the door and found Frannie lying on the grount Shot and help move her in the House

Lenard Workman X his mark