Accident
Accidents were the leading cause of death in the CSI:D sample, and drowning was the leading cause of death among mortal accidents. There are myriad reasons why. Broad swaths of the American public did not know how to swim. Primary modes of transportation, especially early in the century, involved river routes. Mill ponds were prevalent. Children played outside—generally a good thing but occasionally a sad one. Perhaps the saddest of these incidents involved a mass May Day drowning at Boykin Mill Pond in 1860. Twenty-eight teenagers set off on a raft that hit a snag and more than twenty-five drowned, including all five children from one family. Sadder still may be the case of Noah Wesley Dawkins. In mid-June 1888, Dawkins and his friends, all African Americans, set off for a local watering hole where they ran into three white boys, one of whom offered Dawkins fifty cents if he would walk into a particular area in the creek, assuring him it wasn’t deep. It was deep, and Dawkins drowned. It is tempting to classify this as a homicide, but it is clear from testimony that the white children thought they were playing a cruel trick, not a deadly one.
Alcohol was such a critical indirect cause in so many of the accidental drownings, shootings, fires, and falls in CSI:D that it really ought to be regarded the deadliest force in nineteenth century South Carolina. In addition to these indirect roles, alcohol was the direct cause of accidental death in more than sixty cases. It was probably also a direct cause in many of the ‘exposure’ cases—bodies that were discovered outside and were thought to have died from exposure to the elements.
Nineteenth century law enforcement had no recourse to blood-alcohol tests. Even today, determining precise BACs postmortem, and working back from those to levels of inebriation at time of death, is fraught with difficulty. This meant that nineteenth-century coroners had to rely exclusively on witness testimony and the known habits of the deceased to determine alcohol’s role in producing death. Standing around a dead man, jurors found themselves passing judgment on just how drunk he had been the night before. According to witnesses, John Goodlett “seemed to be drunk.” John Agner was “sorry he was drunk.” Abe Waganan was “very funny & lively”—very drunk as [was] his custom.” Is ‘very drunk’ drop-dead drunk? It is hard to know. On the night of January 15, 1816, Angus McQueen drank more than half a gallon of spirits. “The dec’d was very much intoxicated,” noted one witness, “and fell down four times during which time he vomited upon the carpet.” Because McQueen kept getting up and falling down, the jurors determined that the falls (and the winter cold) contributed to his demise, though it is equally possible that McQueen died of alcohol poisoning. Juries were more likely to fix upon ‘intemperance’ as a clear cause of death if the deceased was a notorious addict. In December 1842, H. P. Church was discovered by his land-lady sprawled half on and half off of his bed. A “habitual drunkard” who had been continuously drinking for two weeks, she did not even bother to try and shake him awake. The inquest did not hesitate in finding that Church had died of intoxication.
The third leading cause of accidental deaths were ‘vehicular’ accidents, a catch-all category that includes drunken falls from a train and sober buckings from a horse. Further complicating this picture is the fact that many of the drownings probably belong in this category. There is little difference between falling unwitnessed off of a train and off of a boat, except that in one case you land on tracks and are quickly found where in the other you wash downstream, far from the site of the accident.
Bartholomew Darby was thrown from the saddle and hit his head on a stump, his wagon then “running over his head ... & breaking his neck & deeply cutting him under the right ear.” Steve Yeldell fell out of his cart and broke his neck.
All such accidents pale in comparison to the staggering mortality brought to South Carolina by train. Richard Springs was “run over by a train.” Fannie Ford was “run over by a train.”A slave named Sam was “Run over by [a] train.” Almost as soon as trains arrived in these counties, there were sots to fall off of them, laborers to be crushed by them, and depressives to jump in front of them. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a technological innovation responsible for a sharper uptick in the per capita death rate. It is also clear that coroners and inquest juries were unprepared for the level of bodily violence meted out by train. The body of a slave named Berry was “very much mashed and limbs and bones severed.” William Abbott’s body was “mangled, bruised, cut and crushed.” Even so coroners and their juries were often at pains to absolve the railroad itself of any wrong-doing. Hosea Jackson “came to his death by his own carelessness and from no carelessness whatever on the part of the engineer.” The crushing of William Roberts was likewise “not caused by any dereliction of duty on the part of the rail-road employees.” With train accidents we see for the first time the question of corporate responsibility, and potential corporate liability, creeping into the inquest process.
The larger point, however, is a physical one. Moving the body at a faster speed than the body was designed to go is an enormous convenience that has to be paid for. Today vehicular accidents (car, motorcycle, and all-terrain-vehicle) are the fourth-leading cause of death among Americans after heart disease, cancer, and stroke. The nineteenth century was not particularly different, except that families moved by horse, wagon, and train—and died less often of cancer.
The fourth leading cause of accidental death in the CSI:D sample involved the discharge of firearms. Some were simple cases of men who were cleaning or handling weapons that suddenly went off. The vast majority of cases, however, involve an unfortunate bystander. In 1849, Tilman Attaway was mistaken for a turkey by his hunting buddy. In 1808, James Spradley was leaning in to watch two dogs fight over a dead deer. Fourteen-year old George Nettles sought to break up the dogs by bashing one of them with the butt of his gun. Instead the gun discharged into Spradley’s face. As this case attests, guns and children made as disastrous a pairing then as they do now. In 1820 ten-year old Mancel King accidentally shot and killed his brother. In 1899 ten-year old John McManus shot and killed his friend. “I was fooling with the pistol and it went off,” he told the inquest.
Undoubtedly some of these gun-related ‘accidents’ were not accidents at all. A dead man alone in a room might have been cleaning his gun, or he might have harbored hidden miseries. Similarly some of the accidental misfires on bystanders were probably intentional homicides. Unless new evidence emerges at this late date, however, such cases will have to remain categorized as accidents.
The fifth leading cause of death by accident in the CSI:D sample was death by suffocation—another category that speaks more to what a coroner was called to investigate than to what people actually died from. A majority of the ‘smothering’ deaths were probably SIDS victims. In white households such cases would not have been investigated—infant mortality was relatively high in the period and a white family’s ‘dear pledges’ were often ‘recalled to God.’ But in a society where every enslaved child was as potentially valuable as a Lexus, infant death in the quarter was more rigorously investigated. Coupled with deep prejudices against enslaved mothers, inquests typically found that an unnamed “negro Child” was “negligently Smothered” by its mother, or that the enslaved child Lora was “accidentally smothered” in the family bed, or that the enslaved children Henry and Alcy were crushed in the night, having being “overlaid” by their parents. It is possible that such ‘negligence’ did occur among overworked and overtired slaves, and such findings were far preferable to those cases where enslaved parents were charged with infanticide.
The sixth leading cause of death by accident in the CSI:D sample was death by fire. Most homes in the period were made of wood. Most had fireplaces. None had a fire extinguisher. Fire was light and life, but it was also occasionally death. In 1866 a freedman named Sloan was burnt to death in a gin house. In 1890 a child named Julia Hightower wandered too close to the family fireplace. Her younger sister tried to dowse her with water to no avail.
These six types of accidental death—drowning, alcohol abuse, transportation mishaps, gun miscues, suffocations, and fires—account for 75% of the accidental deaths in the CSI:D sample. Other relatively common accidents involved falling trees and limbs, industrial accidents, and poisonings and overdoses. Rounding out the sample were accidents that were more unique. Home alone, Medora Williams had an epileptic seizure and fell into her own fireplace. Traveling with the Bailey & Company circus, George West was gored by his own elephant. (Some might not consider this an ‘accident’ since the elephant had ‘cause’; and acted with ‘intent.’)
NEXT: Natural Causes
Accident Inquests
Name | Deceased Description | Date | Inquest Location | Death Method | Inquest Finding |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Duncan Fleming | August 6, 1892 | at Pervis Bridge, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say: Dunkin Fleming came to his death by accidentaly drowning while in washing in Thomson Creek |
||
Duncan Oliver | September 9, 1933 | at Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC | train |
We find that the said Duncan Oliver was killed and murdered by some person or persons or by some means to the Jurors unknown. |
|
E. F. Robertson | August 9, 1928 | [no location given], Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths, do say: that he came to his death by unavoidable automobile accident, Driven H. F. Baker |
|
Earl Rivers | October 14, 1909 | [no location given], Chesterfield County, SC |
Upon hearing the above evidence I decided that it was accidental and it was not necessary to have a formal inquiry Saul H. Reid |
||
Earnest Tolson | August 31, 1937 | at Patrick, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Earnest Tolson received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Stuck By Automobile Motor in the hands of Edward Tolson (accidental means) |
|
Ed Glover | July 8, 1882 | at Poore House, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there oathes do say He Came to his Death by and from the affects produced by a gun shot wound inflicted by Samuel Garner in the Calf of his right leg |
||
Eddie Summer | August 6, 1881 | Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths ... do say that the said Eddie Summer came to his death ... from gun shot wounds received in the right side discharged accidentally |
||
Edgar Daniel | July 26, 1886 | at Jack Daniel's residence, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the deceased Edgar Daniel came to his death by accidental drowning, he, of his own accord, going too far into the deep water Broad River of J. L. Allison's place |
||
Edinborough Ryan | December 30, 1882 | at Mrs D. L Bussy Plantation, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there oaths do say ... that the said Edinborough Ryan Came to his death from cause unknown |
||
Edmond | May 5, 1828 | on the premises of David Higgins, Laurens County, SC |
After hearing the evidence we believe the aforesaid negro Edmond did voluntarily go into the water in a State of intoxication and by accident of mischance did drown. |
||
Edmond Long | October 2, 1892 | at Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the sad Edmond Long came to his death by falling from the trestle of the Palmetto Rail Road near Pee Dee River. . . That the said Edmond Long. . . came to his death by accident |
||
Edmund Cleveland | December 4, 1871 | at Spartanburg Court House, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that sd. deceased came to his death by the falling of the wall of Duncan's new building in the town of Spartanburg |
||
Edward F. Lyles | June 12, 1879 | at Wm J. Martin's, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say the deceased came to his death by a gunshot wound accidentally discharged in his own hands. |
||
Edward Horton | August 7, 1879 | near Wesley Barrs[?], Edgefield County, SC | sunstroke |
do say that the said Edward Horton came to his death by acissive bleeding of the nose or Sun Stroke or both combined |
|
Edward Huntly | December 31, 1907 | [no location given], Chesterfield County, SC |
[No official declaration] |
||
Edward Lawrence | March 29, 1856 | at Pendleton village, Anderson County, SC | wagon |
do say that he came to his death by accidentally falling from a wagon heavily loaded with stone, and one of the wheels running over him inflicted severe injuries, which caused his death in a few minutes |
|
Edward Norris | December 26, 1882 | at the residence of Aaron Wells, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say That on Friday the 22nd day of December 1882 Bil Norris went to Greenwood, and returned home late in the night, very drunk, and that on Saturday morning the 23rd day of Dec about 9 o'clock am the boy Edward decd. Was kicked by Bill Norris in his right-side the decd. lingered til the 26th day of December and died... |
||
Edward Simpson | January 9, 1836 | at William Simpson's, Spartanburg County, SC | horse |
do say uppon [sic] there [sic] oaths that he was riding a horse at full speed. . .on the wagon road [and[ was thrown against a tree which gave him one mortal wound from his hip on the right side extruding to his shoulder on the same right side |
|
Edward Whitt | March 1, 1846 | near John Baurman's, Anderson County, SC | horse |
do say from the evidence and circumstances that they believe he came to his death by an accidental fall from his horse which dislocated his neck joint and they suppose he was intoxicated. |
|
Edward Young | December 26, 1833 | at the house of Mrs. Mathews on the waters of Wateree Creek, Fairfield County, SC |
do say upon their oaths that accord=ing to the evidence adduced to them, they believe, that the evening of the 25th December instant Riding at a smart rate, in company with Robert Harper. The said Edward Young by his horse suddently taking a contrary side of a tree from what he expected, or intended. thereby was thrown or dashed against the same which we believe caused the death of the said Edward. |
||
Eldrige Padgett | February 9, 1859 | at Eidson Padgetts, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there oaths do say that the decased came to his death by being intoxicated and caught on fire and burnt to death in his own house |
||
Elenora Yongue | near Struther[?], Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say: That the said Elenora Yongue came to her death by accidental burning. |
|||
Eli David Junkins | July 24, 1871 | at or near the hosue of John Martin (colored) near Richard Robinson Mill, Anderson County, SC | shotgun |
do say that the said Eli David Jenkins came to his death by being shot with a small single barrelled shot gun in the hands of Leslie Martin a colored boy some 16 or 17 years old. . .the said Leslie Martin did not intend or had any idea of the gun going off or doing the boy any injury whatever and believe it was entirely accidental |
|
Eliga Clark | April 18, 1906 | at Purvis Brige in Cheraw Town ship, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say: that Eliga Clark came to his death by causes unknown to the jury |
||
Elijah | February 8, 1860 | at the house of D.r J. H. Norman, Horry County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Infant Slave "Elijah" the property of Eliza Jane Hughes (A Mintor) came to its death by accident by being overlain either by its mother or another child of hers |
||
Elijah Flour[?] | youth | July 24, 1849 | at the hous of Mrs Salley Spradley, Edgefield County, SC |
Upon their oaths do say, that his death was caused by a gun shot wound in the right side, under the right arm, received in the cotton field of George R. Sawyer . . .from a shot gun tehn and there charged with powder and Shot in the hand, or arms of John Flour[?], brother of deceased then and there casually and by misfortune |
|
Elijah Sullivan | April 24, 1898 | at Cow-buel[?] place, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that he died from heart failure and the falling of tree across him by accident |
||
Eliza | February 15, 1837 | at the house of Mr. John Cockrell, Fairfield County, SC |
do say upon their oaths, that according to the evidence adduced to them they believe, that upon the morning of the 15th instant, the said Eliza came to her death, by a tree falling on her; Breaking her scull, also her thigh and perhaps other injuries we know- nothing of. |
||
Elizabeth Belk | April 20, 1828 | near the Door house, Kershaw County, SC |
do say upon their oaths that in traveling to a neighboring house she fell down and being old & infirm was unable to rise & so perished |
||
Elizabeth Hughes | December 26, 1935 | at McBee, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
that Elizabeth Hughes received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by unavoidable automobile accident in the hands of Mrs. Rubye Brown on the 22 day of December 1935, and that from such mortal wound deceased died in Camden Hospital |
|
Elizabeth Knight | June 27, 1885 | at Joseph Knight's residence, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say: That Elizabeth Knight in Manner and form aforesaid Came to her death by misfortune or accident By a gunshot wound on the right side of the Forehead which was caused by the careless handling of a gun in the hands of her little Brother |
||
Elizabeth McKagen | May 5, 1860 | at Boykin's Mill, Kershaw County, SC | |||
Elizabeth Tillatson | January 17, 1878 | at Frances Turner's, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said P. Elizabeth Tillatson came to her death at the house of Frances Turner ... from fire, occurring in the house where she lived |
||
Ella Davis | at the dwelling house of Alice Simms, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Ella Davis, being a child of six years, and having been left alone in the dwelling house of said Alice Simms by the said Alice, the mother of said child, in the afternoon of the day aforesaid, no one being present and able to protect her, accidently took fire on her clothing and died from burning and suffocation[.] |
|||
Elleck | free boy | December 13, 1866 | at Johnathan Gregorys, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there Oaths do say that he came to his death by the accidental discharge of a Gun. . .that Elleck free boy in manner and form aforesaid came to his death by accident |
|
Ellen | slaves | March 4, 1860 | at the mill Pond of W. Glover on mill Creek, Edgefield County, SC | boat |
upon there oaths do say that the said Peter Betty Liz Ellen Louisa and Simon came to there deaths. . .by the accidental sinking of a battoe which they were in by which they there were drowned |
Elliott Pegues | May 15, 1903 | at Crusal branch trestle near Ruby, Chesterfield County, SC | train |
We find that the said John Boggon and Elliott Pegues came to their death by a loose box car running into a lever car which they were operating. |
|
Elliott Wilson | at A.W. Ladds', Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say he was killed by a tree being accidentally fell upon him |
|||
Elmer Brookfield | March 17, 1936 | at Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Elmer Brookfield received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Shot Gun in the hands of Woodroe McQunn |
||
Elmira Jackson | May 18, 1884 | at George Holingsworths House, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there oaths do say that Elmira Jackson Come to her death from accidental Burning |
||
Eloise Bird | April 23, 1879 | at Greenville, Greenville County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Eloise Bird . . .came to her death . . .by misfortune or accident |
||
Elsie Williams | June 28, 1886 | at Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say: That the said Elsie Williams did on this place on the 29th day of June 1886-accidentally receive in her abdomen a pistol shot which caused her death on the 1st day of July 1886 |
||
Emanuel | slave | March 12, 1856 | at Matthew McGraw's plantation, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say-that Emanuel was Killed by the fall of a tree |
|
Emanuel Courtney | June 6, 1894 | at Junsey Courtney, Chesterfield County, SC |
He came to his death by a gun shot wound, accidentally, in his own hands |
||
Emanuel Griffin | July 28, 1873 | at T. H. Clark's plantation, Kershaw County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Emanuel Griffin came to his death by accidental drowning |
||
Emanuel Johnson | October 7, 1893 | at Wards, Edgefield County, SC | train |
upon their oaths do say that the said Emanuel Johnson aforesaid came to his death by injuries received by being knocked off of the back of Rail Road by a locomotive on the R & D. R and we the jury aforesaid attach no blame to the authorities whatever as it was unavoidable on the part of said R.R. Employee |
|
Emily Griffith | January 12, 1896 | in Young's Township, Laurens County, SC | morphine |
upon their oaths do say that Emily Griffith came to her death by an overdose of morphine Given by mistake by Bettie Griffith |
|
Emma Beser | November 24, 1877 | at Broom's Mill, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Emma Beser[?] came to her death by accidental drowning |
||
Emma Ellerbe | April 6, 1925 | at McBee, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
the verdict was brought out. . .That one Emma Ellerbe in manner and form aforsaid came to her death by misfortune and Accident. By being struck by auto accidently. |
|
Emma Hunter | May 18, 1892 | at Beaverdam Church, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths Do say from the Testimony given that Emma Hunter Died from the Effects of fire; That she died on Tesday the 17th inst having been burnt in a house, that was burnt down on the plantation of M.B. Pool on the night of the 16th inst. All Accidental... |