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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Leola Sellers | June 20, 1932 | at W. A. Sellers in Cole hill, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths, do say: that Cola Sellars came to his death struck by a car Diven by Marion Johnson |
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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) |
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James Lynch | December 29, 1945 | at Mt Croghan, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that James Lynch received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by J. U. Eudy Car Accident in the hands of J. U. Eudy - Unavoidable |
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Lennie Pope | January 24, 1940 | at Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Heck Curry, Tom Oliver, Lennie Pope received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by automobile collision in the hands of Heck Curry |
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Fannie Dennis | March 6, 1950 | at Cheraw, S.C., Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Farris Dennis received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Car-Truck Collision in the hands of Tim Robinson |
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Helen Boykin | August 4, 1936 | at Middendorf, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Beauregard Alson & Helen Boykin received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Automobile Collision at the hands of Robert Davis |
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Daniel Sams Jr. | April 8, 1924 | at Black Creek, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
the Verdict of the Jury and Medical examination that the said Danial Sams came to his Death by Misfortune and Accident, by Ford Car, The Said Daniel Sams jr Resides in Hoffman N.C. |
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Faye Bennett | February 6, 1938 | at Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Faye Bennett received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Being struck by automobile in the hands of J. M. McDonald |
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Beauregard Alson Jr. | August 4, 1936 | at Middendorf, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Beauregard Alson & Helen Boykin received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Automobile Collision at the hands of Robert Davis |
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Margret Faye Davis | September 22, 1941 | at Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
upon their oaths do say that Margret Faye Davis received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by being hit accidently by an automobile in the hands of Robert Lee Smith |
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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. |
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Ida Edwards | October 1, 1938 | [no location given], Chesterfield County, SC | automobile |
[No official declaration] |
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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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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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Thomas D. Cook | April 10, 1854 | at Stover's Ferry on Savannah River, Anderson County, SC |
do say that Thomas D. Cook came to his death by accidental drowning |
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slave | slave | March 10, 1835 | at the house of W.W. Dickies, Spartanburg County, SC |
are of the opinion that she came to her death by taking a fit or spazm and falling into the fire and not being able to extricate herself burnt to death |
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Alexander | January 2, 1862 | at Dr. Austins, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Alexander came to his death Jany 1st by accident having been caught in the running gear of the gin. |
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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 |
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William Bently | March 21, 1851 | at Wm Bently's, Union County, SC |
upon their oaths doo say that the said Wm Bently came to his death . . . by a wall plate that fell from the top of the house which he was Building which was by misfortune or accident |
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Peggyann Goings | at S.R. Rutland's, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their Oaths do say that aforsaid children came to their deaths by accidental burning of the house in which they were fastined up on the morning of the 16th of March 1893. We also add our condemnation to the general practice of Colored Parents locking up helpless children in houses where there is fire. |
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Henry Jones | September 21, 1855 | Edgefield County, SC |
the said Henry Jones came to his death by an Apoplectick fit |
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Walden C. Sullivan | September 12, 1893 | at the house of Mr. John A. Sullivan, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Walden C. Sullivan came to his death by accidental smothering at the Residence of John A. Sullivan |
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Richard Stenhouse | November 1, 1857 | at the house of Richard Stenhouse, Greenville County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the deceased Richard Stenhouse was killed . . . by the accidental falling of a tree near his own house. |
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Lincoln Gregory | March 5, 1938 | at Pageland, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Lincoln Gregory received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Rifle Shot in the hands of Bryalus McManns |
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Butler Farmer | December 20, 1890 | on M B Pools Plantation, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that said Butler Farmer came to his death "from a gun shot wound from the hands of James Gowan or Henry Jones, supposed to be an accident." |
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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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Jim Coleman | freidman | November 15, 1866 | at the Mackey Place on horse Creek, Edgefield County, SC |
upon there Oaths do say that the said Jim Coleman came to his death by accidently falling in to horse Creek and drowning |
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Unknown Infant | Unknown Infant | March 10, 1883 | at the house of Peter Blakeney, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their Oaths do say That said child in manner and form aforesaid came to its death by misfortune or accident |
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Benjamin Franklin Hocott | May 5, 1860 | at Boykin's Mill, Kershaw County, SC | |||
Benjamin Grady | August 28, 1886 | at Brocks Mill, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say: That the Said Benjamin Grady came to his death by being accidently Drowned in Brocks Mill Pond on 27th day of August 1886 |
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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 |
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Calvin Lemmon | at Dawkins, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that he was instantly killed by the explosion of J.S. Swygerts engine, while deceased was firing the engine[.] |
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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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Robert Johnston | May 23, 1891 | at Clarks Ferry below bridge on C. & G.[?] R R, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say by Mischance and accidentally falling into Saluda river |
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Larrence Valentine | December 28, 1893 | at Mt[?] Willing, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that. . .find that said Larrence Valentine aforesaid came to his death by a gun shot wound in his own hands, from the evidence we believe it was purely accidental |
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John T. Parker | November 23, 1945 | at Chesterfield, S.C., Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that John T. Parker received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Burns suffered in House fire, Origins Unknown |
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Lena Hutchinson | October 20, 1873 | Anderson County, SC |
do say according to their knowledge and belief according to the evidence that she came to her death by accident by being burned to death |
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Fany | female slave | June 11, 1855 | at Mrs Jane Clowneys, Union County, SC |
upon there Oaths do say that they Believe she Dsed Came to her death . . .by some cause to the Jury unknown think she might have died sadingly from some Lingering diseasas she was very often Complaing . . .or might have Falen in the Beauch & was unable to get out & Drowned as she was found in the Beach |
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Kate | slave | December 5, 1847 | at the house of Mrs. Jane Love, Kershaw County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that they believe from the testimony of Jas. Love son that she came to her death by the falling of a tree accidentally upon her body |
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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 |
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Willie Hendrix Stricklin | March 23, 1901 | [no location given], Chesterfield County, SC |
I have this day helt a perliminary examination over the dad body of Willie Hendrix Stricklin and from the evidence of witnesses I do not deam it nesary to hold an inqest but from Such witness find that the sed Willie Hendrix Stricklin came to his dath from none others than natural causes |
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Luis Ratcliff | May 1, 1874 | at C. A. Mores, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say: That the Said George Ratcliff Maggie Ratcliff & Luis Ratcliff came to there deaths by being accidently Burnt |
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John Watson | May 23, 1892 | at Clinton, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that he came to his death "by Accidental Gun Shot in his own hand on the 22 day of May 1892 |
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Franklin Turner | son | December 26, 1850 | at John Turners, Union County, SC |
upon their oaths do say . . .that the aforesaid Franklin Turner . . .came to his death by misfortune or accident |
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Alick Croker | boy | September 29, 1878 | at Mrs. Marshes premises, Edgefield County, SC |
Upon there oaths do say that the said Alick Croker came to his death by drownding |
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Unknown Colored Man about 60 years old | Unknown Colored Man about 60 years old | May 15, 1893 | on the plantation of D.D. Simpson, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oathes do say that the said colored man came to his death from inflamation of the left hand and arm of phlegmonous character and for want of proper attention, that he died some time about the 13th inst. |
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Bailey Redman | June 28, 1817 | at Brockman's Mill, Spartanburg County, SC |
do say upon there [sic] oaths. . .that his death was caused by [swimming] over the dam |
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Ashford D. Clary | March 17, 1822 | near David Graham's, Laurens County, SC |
do say upon their oaths, that he being Intoxicated on Sunday the tenth day of this Instant (March) and had attempted to cross the branch aforesaid, and crossing had fallen into the same and was Drowned in the water of said Branch |
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Tom Purvis | February 5, 1912 | at T. A. Hendricks Res, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say: Tom Purvis came to his death By Accidental Gun Shot wound in the Hands of Ray Hendrick |
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Alfred Sowell | December 1, 1816 | Kershaw County, SC |
do say upon their oaths that the said Alfred Sowell came to his death by misfortune, that is to say, but accidental firing of a smooth bored gun, being at the same time charged, which drove her charge of shot into the breast of the said Alfred Sowell |