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 |
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Center | December 14, 1853 | at Jos. Willinghams, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say, all cirumstance of the case show conclusively that Center was accidentaally drowned in Little River last Sunday evening |
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female child | female child | May 19, 1879 | at Greenville, Greenville County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the unknown female child . . . came to her death. . . by mischance or accident or from causes to this jury unknown |
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James Frazier | Babie | October 24, 1890 | at D. B Hollingworth, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths aforesaid do say that the aforesaid James Frazier did die from Suffocation |
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James W. Craven | October 12, 1830 | at the Tumbling shoals, Laurens County, SC |
A jury being summoned and sworn do find that the said James V Craven came to his death by Accidentally having been drowned in the river. |
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Louisa Wooden | October 13, 1893 | at Mose Woden, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the deceased Louisa Wooden came to her death by an accidental gunshot wound in the hands of Moses Wooden |
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William Gaston | April 30, 1837 | at the house of James N. Gaston, Spartanburg County, SC |
say upon their oaths that the aforesaid William Gaston ... came to his death by the accidental falling of a tree |
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Euphemia Jones | child | February 6, 1894 | on the plantation of Mr. Stroud, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say the said Euphemia Jones here deceased came to her death from being burned, by accident, whereunto we the jurors and coroner here set our names and seals. |
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negro man | negro man | August 7, 1853 | at or near Wm [?] old Mill, Union County, SC |
Can Clude that the Said negro man Came to his Death by drowing |
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Toney Clawson | February 16, 1873 | at Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Toney Clawson came to his death by accidental drowning while attempting to cross a small streamunusually swollen from heavy rains |
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Aaron Hardin | June 24, 1845 | at plantation of Mr. Moses Chambles, Anderson County, SC |
do say that they believe the said Aaron Hardin came to his death by mischance and accident by the hand of God, the body being in such a state of putrifaction and mutilation as to prevent a discovery of any marks of violence or other causes of death. |
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slave | slave | October 30, 1840 | at Wiley Kelly's, Kershaw County, SC |
do say on their oaths that the slave infant came to her death by Accident |
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Augusta Sullivan | August 4, 1896 | at Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Chesterfield County, SC |
from the best information could be gathered came to his death by misschance or by accidental drowning in the mill pond of J. A. McMillan |
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Adaline Cason | at Kase Williamson's, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their [oaths] do say that Adaline Cason came to her death by Accidental Burning on the 11th of March 1885 |
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Thomas Rosseter[?] | August 30, 1852 | at Hamburg SC, Edgefield County, SC |
Upon their Oaths do say, that he, said Thos Rosseter came to his death by drowning . . .in the street in the town of Hamburg, during the high water Backed[?] out from the Savannah River |
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James Brooks | March 28, 1884 | near where Ferguson Creek enters South Tyger River, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths aforesaid do say that in said Ferguson Creek ... said James Brooks came to his death by accidental drowning |
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Howard Gale | June 13, 1879 | at Jacksons Holinns[?] Mill, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oath do say that the Said Howard Gale came to his death by accidental droning |
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Stephen | slave | December 18, 1860 | at Mr. M. Mungo, Kershaw County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Stephen came to his death from a fall and which caused his neck to break |
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John Pike | November 15, 1856 | at William Pike's, Greenville County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that he came to his death . . . by some means to the jurors unknown |
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Samuel Brock Sr. | March 23, 1884 | at Samuel Brocks Sr, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say: That the Said Samuel Brock Sr came to his death by being burned to death in his own hous supposed accidently |
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Proph[?] Fryday | at Willson Fryday's, Fairfield County, SC |
I am satisfied that the deceased came to his death from a gunshot wound on the evening of the 29 of March at or near his fathers house and that the gun was fired accidentally. |
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Joseph | Negroe man | April 29, 1828 | at the old Quaker meeting hous, Union County, SC |
do say upon their oaths . . .that the said negro making an effort to Cross Fairforest at Mrs Rices ford was drown |
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Joe | infant negro | August 26, 1860 | at John Huiets, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there oaths do say that the child was over laid by his Farther dick |
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Nancy James | March 13, 1875 | at Thomas[?] Fegins[?], Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say: She came to her death bye falling in a ditch |
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Tom | slave | May 5, 1805 | at plantation of John Chesnut, Esquire, Kershaw County, SC |
do say upon their oaths. . . that the said negro in escaping from him [the overseer] attempted to swim the river, and was drowned |
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Lafayette Valentine | January 1, 1873 | at Jack Valentines, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Lafayette Valentine came to his death by the accidental firing of a Pistol in the hands of J.B. Watts. |
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John Baswell | February 16, 1860 | at the plantation of Abner McVay, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that John Baswell came to his death by misfortune or accident |
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John Henry Goudelock | June 3, 1882 | at Bethlehem Grove Church, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that he came to his death by being burned in the dwelling house of Jane Goudelock which is included in Laurens County, State of South Carolina. The cause or origin of the said fire is to this jury unknown. |
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Benjamin Franklin Zimmerman | June 18, 1932 | near Patrick, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the deceased came to his death by accidental drowning in the waters of big Juniper creek-1/2 miles north East of the Town of Patrick, S. C. |
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William McCode | January 20, 1870 | at Luke McCoy's [?], Anderson County, SC |
do say that he came to his death . . . from exposure in the rain & cold on the roadside . . . and came to his death by accident. |
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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 |
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Jerry | May 16, 1808 | at the Mill House of Henry Brockman, Laurens County, SC |
do say upon their oaths, the said Negrow man Jerry came to his Death by being Intoxicated in Liquor and Indeavoring to cross the Enoree River... between Laurens & Spartanburgh Districts that then & there the sd. Negrow Jerry got strangled sufficated & Drowned & from all appearance contrary to the wife sd. Negrow by mischance or accident. |
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Thomas | child of Thomas M Chandler | September 11, 1850 | at Thos M. Chandler's house, and at the old Pottery, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say, that the deceased came to his death on the 8th ist by accidental drowning |
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Henry | November 24, 1851 | at J.H. Dillards, Laurens County, SC |
upon there oaths do say that the Slave Henry came to his Death by Accidental Drowning. |
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James L. Cathcart | February 18, 1889 | at Wm. Cathcart's, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon there oaths do say that James L. Cathcart came to his death by accident of a gun shot in his own hands |
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West Myers | boy | August 8, 1866 | on Washington [?], Greenville County, SC |
upon their aoths do say that sd West Myers was accidentally drowned by Cicero Caveton[?] |
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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 |
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David Dantzler | June 29, 1829 | at Nazareth Meeting House, Spartanburg County, SC |
do say upon their oaths after examination [that] he came to his death by accidental drowning |
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William Sandy Little | June 18, 1890 | at the Belk Place, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do Say that the Said W.S. Little came to his death by accient from falling in the well & being drowned |
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Infant of Lucy Fowler | Infant of Lucy Fowler | April 23, 1870 | at the Barrieing [sic] ground near the Residence of John Ball, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do Say the said child came to its death by accidental suffication [sic]. |
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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 |
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Isaac Davis | February 27, 1880 | at Jas. R. McGills, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say, the deceased came to his death by a well caving in, covering and smothering him to death at Jas. R. McGills, near Monticello. And so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths, do say that Isaac Davis in manner and form aforesaid came to his death by misfortune or accident. |
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Bluford Papley | November 3, 1889 | on the plantation of Thos L Badgett, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Bluford Paply came to his death ("by the Explosion of Thos L Badgetts Boiler") |
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Mike | negro man | September 13, 1844 | at Dr John D. Nicholsons Mill, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there oaths do say that the said deceased came to his death at the said Mill the tenth instant when the said Mill broke and washed away, and at the falling in of the mill the deceased received a wound over his right eye which stuned him and caused him to drown |
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George Washington Crowder | October 19, 1866 | at Grannetville, Edgefield County, SC |
by there oaths do say that the said George Washington Crowder came to his death became entangled in the bands[?] carried the factory at Grannetville in the state aforesaid and was drawn up by a board of the of the shaff[?]. . . by Misfortan or accident |
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Lucius LeGrand | May 5, 1860 | at Boykin's Mill, Kershaw County, SC | |||
Hannah White | December 25, 1870 | near William Pitts' dwelling house, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say, That Hannah White in manner and form aforesaid came to her death, by being accidently burnt |
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Samuel F. Evans Sr. | January 23, 1878 | at Chesterfield C. H., Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say That the Said Samuel F. Evans Sr. came to his death by accidental burning |
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infant of Sam Coleman | at the residence of Sam Coleman, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oath do say that they believe the infant of Sam Coleman came to its death by asphyxia |
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John Garrett | October 22, 1822 | at House of John Garrett, Union County, SC |
do say upon their oaths . . .Came to his death by being accid Draunded |
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George Keerison | November 22, 1856 | at Alston Depot, G & C.[?] R. Road, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say,- that according to the testimony given, the said George Keerison was crossing Broad River on the G & 6 R.R. Bridge at Alston in a state of intoxication on the 4th instant, and accidentally fell off said Bridge, which was the cause of his death |