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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Devoid Gulledge | September 10, 1942 | at Patrick, S.C, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Devoid Gulledge received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Transport Truck in the hands of Gordon Deardorff |
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Joseph Homer Lavinge | July 5, 1940 | at Jefferson, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Joseph Homer Lavinge received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Automobile Wreck in the hands of Billie Nicholson |
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Lola W. Curry | December 8, 1943 | at Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Lola W. Curry received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by 1935 Ford Car in the hands of Abraham Parsons |
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Lawson L. Rhodes | July 15, 1938 | at Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Lawson L. Rhodes received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by automobile-motorcycle accident in the hands of C. C. Anderson |
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James David Mauldin | April 8, 1946 | at Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that James David Mauldin received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Automobile in the hands of Herman Vaughn |
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Martin Gary Kennington | December 23, 1934 | at Pageland, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Martin Gary Kennington received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Automobile collision in the hands of Walker Edgworth same being unavoidable accident |
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LeRoy Hancock | December 15, 1936 | at Mt. Croghan, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Leroy Hancock received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by automobile in the hands of James C. Crawford |
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Mattie Malloy | September 7, 1943 | at Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Mattie Malloy received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by car wreck in the hands of Tanny Mathews |
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Samuel Garry | July 19, 1930 | at Juniper, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
We find Samuel Garry came to his death by an unavoidable accident |
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Tellman Shaw | December 16, 1934 | at McBee, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Tellman Shaw received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Automobile in the hands of Thos H. Boyle unavoidable accident |
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Tom Melton | July 26, 1943 | at Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Tom Melton received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Truck in the hands of Joe Maree |
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H. R. McLeod | June 7, 1932 | at McBee, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths aforesaid, do say, that the aforesaid H.R. McLeod came to his death by means of an accident unavoidable |
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Harvey Black | July 8, 1941 | at Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Harvey Black received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by automobile in the hands of Daniel S. McNeil |
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John G. Tyler | January 28, 1868 | at M.r Allens Store, Horry County, SC | alcohol |
upon their oaths do Say the Deceased came to Death from the effects of ardent Sperits administered of himself by his own act |
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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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James Hindman | February 11, 1875 | Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that in their opinion the said James Hindman came to his death by misfortune caused by fits or convulsions producing derangment ina high degree being found drowned in James Creek |
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Mary Ann | July 2, 1855 | at the plantation of Henry Pitts on Walnut Creek, Laurens County, SC |
upon their Oaths do say that the said nego Girl, Mary Ann, her lying dead came to her death by drowning in Walnut Creeke on the night of the first of July |
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Peter Gadsden | November 28, 1873 | near Doko[?], Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say: That on the night of the twentieth day of November 1873, before the hour of midnight the said Peter Gadsden being alone in the house, on the Plantation of L.M.[?] Bookhart[?] was burned to death by the accidental catching of fire to the building near the chimney which resulted int he destruction of the building and the death of said Peter Gadsden, and that...Peter Gadsden...came to his death by accidental burning |
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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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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 |
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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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infant | infant | December 13, 1851 | at A. J. Gregorys, Union County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that it was accidently smoothered by its mother |
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William McAbee | April 8, 1885 | Spartanburg County, SC | |||
George Mitchel | June 21, 1881 | at J. R Corleys, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their Oaths do say George Mitchel and his Daughter Rachiel Mitchel Came to their Deaths. . .by a Burn Caused from the Explosion of Kerosene oil |
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Andrew Dawkins | June 25, 1895 | at Laurens CH, Laurens County, SC |
From testimony produced, I find he died from a fracture of the skull received from a fall while engaged in unloading a Lumber car, at the Factory at Laurens County. I also find that there was no one to blame for same. |
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Austin Dunlap | April 10, 1894 | at Waterman Robinson's, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say: Austin Dunlap came to his death from the effects of burns received on the 9th of April 1894 |
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Peter Knox | July 23, 1878 | near Calrandellers[?] Ferry on Tugalo River, Anderson County, SC |
do say that Peter Knox . . . in Tugaloo River came to his death accidentally by drowning in attempting to cross said river |
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Belaus[Velaus?] | slave, boy | March 30, 1863 | at Robert Smiths, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there oath do say-that he came to his death. . .by going in to the Mill Pond of B W Hatchers. . .and was by Misfortune of accidently drowned |
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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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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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Cap Bryan | February 25, 1893 | at the plantation of Mrs Doziers, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths aforesaid do say That the aforesaid Cap Bryan came to his death from a lick with a rock thrown by a blast from the Quary which we consider purely accidental |
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William McDonald | December 25, 1803 | in the District aforesaid, Laurens County, SC |
Say upon there Oaths that the aforesaid Wm McDonal in Manor & form aforesaid was hurt & came to his Death By Misfortune... |
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Loucille Pate Cassidy | June 19, 1939 | at Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Loucille Pate Cassidy received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by a pistol |
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Jonathan McCulloch | January 7, 1840 | at the house of Thomas Jefferson[?], Union County, SC |
do say upon their oaths that they believe the Said Jonathan McCulloch came to his death by being accidentally drund in a fit of Derangement |
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Medora Williams | April 4, 1878 | at Spartanburg C.H., Spartanburg, S.C., Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Medora Williams while alone in her house ... fell into the fire and was burned to death while suffering from a fit or fainting |
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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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Margaret McKeown | May 5, 1860 | at Boykin's Mill, Kershaw County, SC | |||
Curry | slave | March 17, 1856 | at Mrs Elizabeth Middletons Plantation, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Curry 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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Lewis Jackson | July 23, 1889 | at Squire Jackson's, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon there oaths do say that Lewis Jackson came ot his death by being crushed in the machinery of the Brick mill of the Spartanburg Factory by carelessness of the Deceased and disobeying the orders of the foreman |
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John Rufus Russell | October 10, 1884 | at John L Russell House, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there oaths do say that the said John Rufus Russell come to his death by suffocation Caused by accidentally falling with head downward into a hole in a pile of seed Cotton |
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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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William Davis | January 16, 1841 | at or near the residence of Alex. McMakin, Spartanburg County, SC |
[do say that] not having God before his eyes but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil came to his untimely end. . .by drinking intoxicating spirits to an excess and attemting [sic] to vomet [sic] and strangled so that he finally lost his Breath and departed this life |
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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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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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George | February 6, 1815 | at the plantation of Daniel Brag, Laurens County, SC |
doth say upon their oaths saith that on the 5th of this instant in crossing Enoree River got wash. Off his horse and got drowned. |
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Henry | negro man Slave | August 21, 1850 | at New Savannah in beach Island, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths Say that the negro man Henry came to his death from being accidentally drowned in the Savannah river |
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Joe Church | March 12, 1941 | at Pageland, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Joe Church received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Suffocation and burn from fire in jail cell occupied by himself |
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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 |