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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Alfred Gage | May 21, 1890 | at Milton, Laurens County, SC |
by their oaths do say that the said Alfred Gage came to his death "By Accidental Drowning in little river at the Mills at Milton. |
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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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Dan Richardson | June 28, 1890 | at T.J. Sullivans Residence, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say, that Dave Richardson came to his death from the inhalation of poisonous gas in a well on the premises of T.J. Sullivan |
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Mary Robertson | at the Gailiard grave yard, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that deceased came to her death from internal hemorrhage, caused by having a premature birth produced by some cause unknown to the jury |
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Charley Geeter | October 27, 1881 | at Violets Geeter's house, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Charley Geeter came to his death by accident from fire |
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Sloan | freedman | November 19, 1866 | At Williamston, Anderson County, SC |
do say upon their oaths that [Sloan] came to his death by being burnt to death by the accidental burning of the Gin house of Major A. M. Hamilton. . .as the jury could ascertain in cause of the fire the presumption being that It was through matches, in the possession of the said Sloan |
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Marcus Pickens | December 5, 1860 | near the residence of William Widener's, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say, that the said Marcus Pickens, on the 5th instant, to wit on or near a blind path leading from Solomon Colemans, to Stephen Crosleys was found dead, that he had not marks of appearin on his body, and died by misfortune, or exposure. |
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Lucilla S. Gresham | Chester Co., at Shelton Depot, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say, That L.S. Gresham in manner and form afresaid, came to her death by accident drown in broad river at Fish Dam Ferry on the 4th day of February 1895 |
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Alexander McKee | January 4, 1817 | in the woods near William Gardner's, Kershaw County, SC |
do say upon their oaths from the testimony given ... that from his insanity and exposition to the inclemency of the weather together with the infirmity of body was the cause of his death. |
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Willie Parker | December 21, 1892 | at S. Parkers, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths, do say: that Willie Parker came to his death by being struck on his head by a falling Tree Accidinetly |
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Berry McLauren | August 1, 1881 | at Jas P. Brock's Mill, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do Say That the Said Berry M Clarran came to his death by being accidently drowned in Brocks Mill. |
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Joseph Ruffington | January 9, 1893 | at Thos O Attaways, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Joseph Ruffington came to his death accidentally by the falling of a tree cut by Pick Deloach |
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Emma Williams | January 8, 1894 | at J.O.C. Fleming's mill, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Emma Williams came to her death By accident, having been caught in the machinery of the mill. |
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Miles Robuck | December 16, 1856 | at the house of S.S. Roebuck, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the deceased came to his death by having his head crushed between the head block and one of the arms of the Cog wheel of a Cotton Gin, that the said Miles Roebuck came to his death in manner and form aforesaid, by misfortune or accident. |
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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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Patrick Williams | August 23, 1842 | at the house of patrick Williams decsd, Union County, SC |
do say that . . .Patrick Willaims came to his death by the fall of a certain oak tree which we found lying upon his Mangled body |
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Infant of George and Ann Crawford | Infant of George and Ann Crawford | May 8, 1906 | At G A S[??]cers, Chesterfield County, SC |
Upon their oaths, do say: By strangulation the cause of which is unknown to Jury |
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John Findley | March 22, 1819 | at [??] ferrey, Union County, SC |
do say upon their oaths that . . .he came to his Death by atemping to Cross the River at horvels[?] ferry alone when in Liquer and by Mischance was Drowned |
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Ned | February 15, 1831 | near the house of Joseph Gladney Little River, Fairfield County, SC |
do say upon their oaths that according to the evidence addressed to them they believe that on the 25th December in attempting to cross little river at a Ford [he] was thrown off a mule on which he rode and then and there was drowned, without any Person being accessory to his death but think they have some reason to believe he was in some degree intoxicated which might in some manner procured his being thrown from said mule |
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Cora Boyd | May 18, 1892 | at Beaverdam Church, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that She came to her death from the Effects of fire, That She died on the 17th inst. Having been burnt in a house on the plantation of M.B. Pool that was accidentally burnt down on the night of the 16th inst. |
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Arthur Ben | at Jenkinsville, Fairfield County, SC |
upon oaths do say that George Bone the said Artur Ben, by misfortune and contrary to his will, in maner and form aforesaid, did kill and Slay Artur Ben by the accidental discharge of a gun. |
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J. F. Styron | April 21, 1891 | at residence of J. F. Styron[?], Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said J. F. Styron dropped dead in his field from being over heat while engaged in burning logs and in such heat drinking big drought of cold water and as the Physician tells us from heart failure |
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Henry | slave, boy | May 1, 1857 | at Arthur Glovers House, Horns Creek, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say. . .from drinking an [?] quantity of water when heated. . .came to his death by misfortune |
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infant | November 29, 1860 | Spartanburg County, SC | |||
Smith | June 9, 1876 | near R. H. Anderson's Tanyard, Anderson County, SC |
do say that . . .the said Smith was accidentally drowned in a race dith; that is to say the said Smith in manner and form aforesaid, came to his death by misfortune or accident. |
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William Godfrey | October 19, 1873 | near Leaterwood's Mills, Spartanburg County, SC |
open [sic] their oaths do say that [deceased] did fall into a gully and being unable to get out did then and there die |
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negro boy child | negro boy child | December 25, 1845 | at Wm H. askews, Union County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that . . .it was brot to its death by mischance or neglect of its mother by Smothering it in her Sleap |
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Abby Davis | May 29, 1877 | at Quarly[?] Davis, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say, that the aforesaid Abby Davis came to her death to the best of their belief from the evidence given, by misfortune or accident. |
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Carey | slave | February 1, 1831 | at the house of John Williams, Kershaw County, SC |
do say upon their oaths We the Jurors . . .believe he got his Death accidentally by fire to the best of our knowledges and the evidence given by Mary Carraway and Nathan Waters before us proves nothing more |
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F. H. McNair | February 2, 1899 | on E.M. Wells' Plantation, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say. And so the jurors aforesaid do say that F H McNair in manner aforesaid came to his death by natural causes |
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John A. Motz | October 18, 1886 | at the Brewer Gold Mine, Chesterfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that John A. Motz came to his death by a falling rock from the east side of the quarry at the Brewer Gold mine where he at that time was turning a drill, 10 minutes till 2 O'clock P.M. the falling rock strick his head, and pushed it against another rock, which crushed his brains out. |
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Julia Whalan | July 19, 1882 | at RH Young Plantation, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Julia Whalan came to her death by accidental drowning in a pool of water |
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John Davis | September 6, 1859 | at Jas. H. Parks, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do say - That he came to his death by misfortune and accident by a plate falling struck him on the head about 1 o cl'k on the 5th Inst. Which caused his death in about six hours. |
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Thomas Davis | March 30, 1884 | at John Davis, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that Thomas Davis came to his death by misfortune or accident |
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Thomas Welheu[?] | June 19, 1868 | at Benjamin Better[?] wheat field on the Columbia & Augusta Rail Road, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that he came to his death by a pistol shot accidentally discharged by his own hands |
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Ryal | Negro Slave | July 28, 1851 | at Mr Thos McKies Batteau landing on Big Stephen's Creek, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that they boy Ryal went in the creek of his own accord and [?] to swim drowned |
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Dave | slave | February 6, 1830 | at James Brockman's Mill, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that they think that he [died] with [?] in James Brockman's cotton gin |
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Samuel McCulley | December 29, 1839 | in Broadway Creek, Anderson County, SC |
do say that sd, Samuel McCulley on the 28th day of December 1839 was found dead in Broadway Creek . . . and had no marks of violence on him and died of the [?] of God partly by intemperance partly by cold and partly by drowning |
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James | slave | December 4, 1843 | at J. C. Jeter's graveyard, Union County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that . . .he must have come to his death by exposure to cold from being lying out in the woods or some cause to the jury unknown |
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Ann | June 28, 1837 | at the house of Andrew Yongue[?], Fairfield County, SC |
do say upon their oaths that they do believe agreeable to evidence that the said Ann came to her death by accidentily falling into the Creek and getting drowned and not otherwise. |
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George | May 6, 1849 | at C... Garlington Mill pond, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths do Say by accidental drowning. |
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Infant son of Lee & Eliza Moore | at the plantation of Mrs. N. Yongue, Fairfield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say this child came to his death from some natural cause unknown to the Jury |
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John Lyons | July 1, 1882 | at Greenville, Greenville County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that . . .came to his death from congestion of the Lungs |
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Maggie 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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infant child | infant child | December 9, 1891 | at a colored cemetary, Edgefield County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the child came to its death from the burns that was found upon its body |
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Toney Moore | November 29, 1865 | at Conwayboro, Horry County, SC |
upon their oaths do say That the said Toney Moore came to his death by Mischance from the accidental explosion of a Steam Boiler |
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John Thomas | October 6, 1852 | at Line Creek, Greenville County, SC |
do say upon their oaths that they think he much intoxicated, and in attempting to crop[?] the River fell off on a rock under the Bridge broke his skull and so stunned him that he was immediately drowned |
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Jackson Byars | December 13, 1877 | at Boiling Springs, Spartanburg County, SC |
upon their oaths do say that the said Jackson Byars came to his death beside the Mills Gap Road nine miles from Spartanburg C.H. in the County and State aforesaid ... from appoplexy or effusion of blood upon the brain |
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Starkes Whitlock | February 16, 1853 | at J P Poters, Union County, SC |
upon ther oaths do say that he was the cause of his own death . . .come to his own by Drinking & Exsposure by laying out in the wet & cole |
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Daniel | October 8, 1834 | at Maj. John Blacks, Laurens County, SC |
upon their oaths that from evidence that the said Negro came to his Death by Mischance by plunging into the River at or near the head of Maj. John Black's Millhouse in said District through fear dogs which were threatened by calling & encouraging of a Negro man, Doc, the property of Reginald Duncan by order of John Odell, supposing him to be a runaway. |