(Special to The Columbia State.)

North S.C., January 20, 1900 – Report reaches here that Wm. D. Jefcoat shot down his brother, Jas. A. Jefcoat, and that the father, R.A. Jefcoat, fired at the prostrate form of his already wounded son. Bad feelings existed between the above named for some time past. The parties are all well to do farmers and live about six miles from here.

A later report is to the effect that James is dead. (Special to The State) Orangeburg, S.C., January 21 – An unseemly scramble over a small piece of land resulted in a tragedy yesterday in which James Jefcoat was killed by R. Addison Jefcoat, his father, the latter being backed and encouraged by another son, Willie. The testimony goes to show that some years ago when peace and harmony were a part of the possessions of this famiuly, Jefcoat, the elder, bought a tract of land, and being well-to-do, thought it would be nice to have his better half enjoy the pleasures of ownership of property, and therefore, had titles made to her.

Things changed, however, and the peace of the family became badly and unfortunately disturbed, a separation of husband and wife being the result. This also caused a division of feeling among the children, some taking the side of father and some mother. Then the land became a matter of dispute. The wife sold to the deceased and the father declared his purpose to continue to cultivate and enjoy its fruits.

To this James demurred, and an attempt on his part to dispossess the elder Jefcoat, his father, brought on the difficulty which culminated, as above stated, yesterday. James Jefcoat is said to have made an ante-mortem statement about as follows: that he went to the field on the land in dispute yesterday and found employees of his father doing work thereon; that he caused them to quit work; that his father and his brother, Willie, soon after appeared on the scene armed with shotgun and rifle, respectively; that the father shot him in the thigh, and he returned the fire, with a gun but missed his father.

His brother Willie then came to the help of his father and shot at james with a rifle, the ball striking a medium-sized oak tree and passed through it striking James on the arm and shattering it to such an extent as to totally disable him. He then appealed to another brother, Grover, who was present, to prevent further attack upon him, as he was disarmed. At this juncture, however, the elder Jefcoat fired again, having advanced upon him and the load of buckshot took effect in the stomach.

The range of this last shot was so close that the powder ignited his clothing. The wound proved fatal and he died last night at 9 o’clock. The inquest is bring held today, and the whole truth might come out, though it seems as if there were none present save those doing the shooting. This is a most deplorable tragedy, the parties being prominent in the Limestone section of this county.

There is considerable means represented by both sides, hence nearly every lawyer at this bar has been employed in the case.