Morning New Review - Florence News Monday, December 4, 1933 Columbia, S.C. Dec 3 - James "Donnie" Holmes one of two negroes awaiting electrocution at the state penitentiary, was baptized today in preparation for his execution. Holmes and Tom Wardlaw will be put to death early tomorrow, the former for choking to death his aunt, Nora Franklin, in Sumter county, and the latter for stabbing to death Andrew J. Ferguson, prominent white planter, in Abbeville county. Both have admitted the crime of which they were convicted. Wardlaw, however, asserting ? the white man in self defense. Wardlwaw was baptized several days ago. Governor Blackwood has indicated he does not intend to inter? with the sentences of the two men. Tuesday December 5, 1933 Two Negroes Die in Electric Chair Columbia, SC Dec 4 - Two negroes, Tom Wardlaw, Abbeville county and James Holmes, Sumter county, were electrocuted at the state penitentiary before dawn today, for murder. Both admitted the slaying of which they were convicted and said they were "ready to go," but Wardlaw to the last insisted he stabbed to death Andrew J. Ferguson, prominent white farmer in self defense. The 33 year old negro, father of 14 children, in a final written statement said: "I thank God that what ? me ? trouble was only trying to defend myself". Holmes, 26 years old, was executed for choking to death his aunt, Nora Farnklin, allegedly to collect a $125 insurance policy he held on her life. The Rev. G. K. Phillips, prison chaplain, said the Sumter negro told him he had been drunk for two months proceding his aunts murder and remembered it only vaguely. Six relatives of Ferguson saw the negro go to his death in the electric chair, and 13 Sumter negroes, including Rev. S. Tinsley, were present to witness Holmes death and return his body to Sumter for burial. The Morning News Review (Florence, SC) September 2, 1925 A. C. L. Officer Killed by a Negro Hobo Sumter, Sept 1 - W. A. Howard, railroad policeman of the Atlanttice Coast Line Railraod was shot, and killed in the railroad yards here early tonight. A coronor's jury charged an "unknown negro" with the shooting. The slayer, after shooting the officer, turned and attacked him with a knife. Howard's head and chest were so badly mutilated that it was impossible to ascertain how many times he was shot, officers reported. A negro woman, who is said to have witnessed the shooting, stated that Howard was chasing the negro and gaining on him when the negro suddenly turned and fired four or five times at the officer. Howard fell and the negro rushed upon him and stabbed him a number of times with a knife, the woman said. A coroner's jury returned a verdict that the officer came to his death as result of wounds inflected by an unknown negro. Officers are at work on the case. The slayer was described as a tall slender negro, wearing a white shirt and black hat. The State February 26, 1918 Baby Burned to Death Sumter, Feb 25 – The 11 months old baby of Mr. And Mrs. William Steele of West Liberty Street died as the result of burns from a pot of boiling water. The child was playing on the floor when the kettle was overturned on the lower part of its body. The baby was removed to the hospital where it received immediate attention and rallied from the first shock, but the burns were too severe and the child died Wednesday afternoon. The burial was at Olanta. The State August 31, 1897 Sumter's Teachers and other news Sumter, Aug 30 - The teachers' institution for the teachers of Sumter county was organized at 9:30 o'clock this morning in the graded school with an enrollment of 35 and the regular institution work was begun. Superintendent W. S. Thompson of the Rock Hill graded schools is the director of the institute and his assistants are Prof. E. P. Moses of Winthrop college and Mr. M. A. Ranking, superintendent of the Lancaster Graded schools. Mr. Thompson lectured on English grammar, Prof. Moses on reading and Mr. Rankin on arithmetic. The exercises of the institute will be held each day of this week and also lectures each night in the assembly hall of the graded school. Tomorrow night, Prof. F. C. Woodward of the South Carolina college will deliver an address. Col. J. L. M. Irby was in this city for several hours yesterday and took occasion to express himself freely on the political situation. He paid particular attention to Senator Tillman, reiterating all that he had said in his Florence speech, but in a more emphatic manner. He said he was confident of getting a very large vote. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Yates returned today from Greenville, after a stay of several weeks. Miss Mamie Edmunds, who has been visiting relatives in Hartsville, returned today.

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