Hattie Smith, the widow of Jule Smith, the negro who was shot to death on the steps of Winnsboro courthouse on the morning of June 14, last, while in the custody of Sheriff Hood, of Fairfield count, was assassinated last night about 9:30 o’clock at the house of a negro woman friend near Blaney. HSe was shot through the window by a shotgun, the load carrying away the right side of the head. SHe died instantly. When shot she was singing a hymn along with two other negro women. Although the murderer has not been apprehended, there are several clues to his identity. When the report of the woman’s death reached Columbia last night, G. G. Caughman and his bloodhounds went to the scene of the crime, leaving Columbia in an Automobile, about 10:30 o’clock. Just before reaching the house where Hattie Smith was killed rain began to fall in a perfect duludge, completely obliterating any scent that the murderer left behind. Therefore, the dogs were useless.

Mr. Caughman says that a negro man, with whom the woman previously had been in a difficulty, is suspected of the deed. It is alleged that he had made threats against the woman. It is said that, three minutes before this commission of the crime, this negro man had appeared at the residence of a Mr. Roof, on whose farm the cabin in which the deed was committed is situated, and asked Mr. Roof the way to Rocky Creek church. Mr. Roof, said Mr. Caughman, was satisfied that the negro knew the way, and supposes the question was asked to ascertain if Mr. Roof was at Home. Mr. Roof could not state positively that the negro had a shotgun in his possession when he appeared at his home.

It is said that Hattie Smith has been living among her neighbors because of the difficulty with the suspected man, and that she had gone Sunday to spend the night in the cabin on Mr. Roof’s place. At the time of the killing two negro women, other than Hattie Smith, and several small children were in the cabin.