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Saturday, November 19, 2022

Fearing Lynching, Lee McHarge Moved, Nov. 19, 1922

Fear Lynching Causes Removal of Lee McHarge. . . Death Toll Kannapolis Shooting Not Been Increased. . . Murder Warrant Drawn. . . No Inquest Deemed Necessary in View of Fact Homicide Is Admitted by McHarge

Concord, Nov. 18—Lee McHarge, the Kannapolis man who is alleged to have killed Deputy Sheriff Will F. Propst, and wounded three other officers and a civilian, while on a shooting rampage in Kannapolis early last night, was removed from the Cabbarus county jail here this afternoon. His destination was unknown, the officers making no announcement of the removal.

While no concerted movement to “get” McHarge was known of here, there had been some talk of a lynching, and he was probably removed to make matters safe. This was the only development in the case today in this county. Announcement was made from Salisbury, however, that Solicitor Hayden Clement was ready to present a bill asking for murder in the first degree against McHarge to the Rowan jury Monday. The shooting of Mr. Propst occurred in Rowan county, so any action against his alleged assailant will come from the officers of that county.

At an early hour tonight the three Kannapolis policemen who were wounded were reported as resting comfortably. Reports that one of the officers, Patrolman Pruitt, had died, were denied by local officers. The other wounded officers are Chief Boger and Patrolman Swing. The condition of Mr. Bostian, who was the fourth man wounded, also was reported as satisfactory tonight.

There will probably be no other developments in the case here, unless one of the wounded men die. Court action is expected to take place in Salisbury.

Condition of Officers

Dr. S.E. Buchanan, county health officer, who examined McHarge this morning, stated that he was in good shape. He had no temperature, and despite the fact that he was wounded six times, apparently was suffering but little.

The condition of Chief Boger and Patrolman Pruett and Swing, of the Kannapolis police, and Mr. Bostian, section hand of the Southern, is also reported today as favorable. Pruett and Bostian are still in the Concord hospital, but Boger and Swing have returned to their Kannapolis homes.

The funeral of the former deputy sheriff will be held at his home here tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock. Interment will be made in Oakwood cemetery here. Chief Boger, who first tried to arrest McHarge, when he saw the latter draw his pistol in a Kannapolis café, received two wounds, it developed today. He was shot in the left hip and the right arm. The latter wound probably accounted for the fact that Chief Boger did not shoot as usual when he emptied his gun at McHarge in the café. It also developed today that McHarge was shot in the right arm by Chief Boger. Bostian was shot in the right leg, and he bled profusely, an artery being severed. One report here says he may lose one leg, though this has not been substantiated by attending physicians.

Had Narrow Escape

Patrolman Swing suffered only a wound to his face. That he was nearly killed, however, is shown by the fact that had the bullet gone half an inch further to the left his face would have been shot away. The bullet grazed his cheek.

Patrolman Pruett received a wound in the left side, and though it was feared at first that he had been seriously injured, it was stated today that no operation had been performed, and it is believed he will recover.

These last two men were wounded in the West Kannapolis store where Deputy Sheriff Propst was killed. R.M. Housel, the other member of the party, escaped only because McHarge’s ammunition was exhausted. After Housel had fired at him several times McHarge leveled his gun at Housel’s heart and pulled the trigger. There was only a click, and it was then that McHarge surrendered his gun and remarked to Housel, “you are the best man now, because your ammunition lasted longer than mine.”

It is believed the shooting started over the results of a gambling game. According to most reliable reports here McHarge entered the café to even accounts with men with whom he is alleged to have been gambling. He is said to have pulled the gun and demanded $90. Police Chief Boger saw the gun, rushed into the café and ordered the man to surrender. Instead the man shot, wounding the chief twice and Mr. Bostian once. He escaped through the rear of the café and went to West Kannapolis, where he was discovered by Deputy Propst and the Kannapolis officers.

Propst Killed Quickly

When Mr. Propst entered the store and demanded that McHarge surrender, it is stated the latter started firing again, killing Mr. Propst and wounding the other two officers. When is ammunition gave out he surrendered.

Little is known of McHarge here. It is stated that he has been living in Kannapolis for two or more years at short intervals, and had been here for about three weeks this time. He is said to be about 42 years of age.

McHarge was wounded twice in each arm, once in the left neck and once in the left chest.

From the front page of the Charlotte Observer, Sunday, Nov. 19, 1922

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