So you end up scanning a lot of information which is not relevant to what you are seeking but occasionally is educational or interesting in its own right.
As in this case where I find an article on a Holcomb in South Carolina. HBL was born in Tennessee, lived as a child in Texas, settled in Indian Territory (later, Oklahoma), married in Florida and had extended family in Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. So a news article on a Holcomb in the right time period in South Carolina is unlikely to be him, but it is possible.
I go to The Killing of Holcombe from the Keowee courier, March 16, 1921. Probably not mine because of the e at the end but spelling mistakes are common.
The account.
THE KILLING OF HOLCOMBE.No near kin, though virtually all Holcombs are related in some fashion.
Easley Chief was Fine Officer - A Few Facts in the Case.
(Easloy Progress.)
In the most sensational pistol battle in the history of Pickens county Chief of Police Walter C. Holcombe, of Easley, was Instantly killed, and Wade Ballew, an alleged hobo, received wounds which are expected to prove fatal. Others participating in the battle were Rural Policeman Lt. T. Chapman, Deputy Sheriff John Lesley, of Alice Cotton Mill, and Robert Wilson, a partner of Ballew. As Chief Holcombe was about to arrest Ballew the latter shot the chief in the head without warning, killing him instantly. This shot immediately precipitated a battle between Chapman and Lesley on one side and Ballew and Wilson on the other, thirty shots being fired within a few seconds at close range, while pistols were shot empty and reloaded during the battle. Chief Holcombe and Wade Ballew were the only ones injured.
The shooting occurred on the Higgins creek, near the colored cemetery, in Easley, about 1.20 o'clock Monday afternoon. Officers Chapman and Lesley succeeded in arresting Ballew and Wilson about 500 yards down tho creek in Higgins' pasture, and lodged them in the county jail almost before the people of the town knew of the occurrence. Late Tuesday evening the prisoners were removed from the Pickens jail and carried to the State penitentiary.
Story of the Battle
Officers Holcombe, Chapman and Lesley had been called to arrest two strangers who had alighted from a freight train near the Alice Cotton Mill and who were believed to be hoboes. The officers were accompanied by Geo. Cooper, a local citizen, who, however, took no part in the shooting. Coming upon the strangers the officers found them preparing to bathe in the creek. Mr. Lesley took hold of the arm of the man who afterwards proved to be Wilson and told him he-was under arrest. Wilson made efforts to shake the officer off when Policeman Chapman took hold of Wilson's other arm. Chief Holcombe passed on by and behind the other officers to take charge of the man who afterwards proved to be Ballew, and who was sitting down washing his feet. Just before Mr. Holcombe got to Ballew, it is said, the latter drew his pistol from be
neath his clothing) and yelled out. "Hold up your hands, every one of you!" When Ballew said this Policeman Chapman looked around just in time to see the stranger put his pistol in Chief Holcombe's face and fire. Mr. Holcombe falling instantly. As the shot was fired Chapman and Lesley released their holds on Wilson in order to get their guns. Immediately after the first shot Ballew shot twice at Mr. Cooper, neither shot taking effect. In the meantime Wilson had protected himself by lying down in a gulley Just at hand, Policeman Chapman leaned back behind a slight projection of tho creek bank and Mr. Lesley gained the bank of the creek. All this happened almost in an instant, and the fight was on. Before Ballew had time to move to a place of safety he was shot down by Mr. Chapman. Rising to his knees Ballew renewed his shooting and emptied his gun at the policeman, while the policeman in return emptied his gun at Ballew. While this was going on Lesley and Wilson were emptying their guns at each other, and the smoke from the rapid fire of the four pistols at close range settled on the battlefield between the creek banks like a heavy fog, and tho combatants could see each other with difficultly. While the officers were reloading to renew the battle, Mr. Lesley, who was on top of the creek bank, discovered that the strangers had retreated and were on their way down the creek. As the public road follows the creek Chapman and Lesley cranked up their car and gave chase, overtaking their men about 500 yards down the creek in Higgins' pasture, where, under orders from the officers, the men threw up their hands and surrendered. They were taken directly to the jail at Pickens, where medical attention was given Ballew, and it was found that he had been shot nine times in the breast, legs and arms. On their way to jail the officers state that Ballew cursed continuously and begged to be killed. Wilson talked but little.
Chief Holcombe was shot but once and the bullet entered his nose and lodged in the back of his head, killing him instantly.
Ballew Native of Pickens.
Wade Bellew is a native of Pickens county, and his mother lives a few miles above Pickens. He is a grandson of John Ballew, also Jake Adams, both of whom live near Pickens. Alex Ballew, Wade's father, left his wife in Pickens county years ago and went to Arkansas, where, it is said, he married again. He later returned to this county and took Wade back to Arkansas with him, where the latter spent several years. After being absent, from Pickens county several years Wade Ballew returned last year and made a crop with his mother near Pickens. He left this county last fall and went to Florida.
Vowed Never to be Arrested.
In jail Monday afternoon Ballew's partner gave his name as Robert Wilson and said that he was from Oklahoma. He said he and Ballew were once arrested in Florida, and after being released had bought pistols and vowed they would never be arrested again; that several unsuccessful attempts had been made by officials in other places to arrest them. Wilson said he and Ballew had come from Atlanta on a freight train, alighting at Alice Cotton Mill and were washing in the branch preparatory to coming to town for something to eat when the officer approached them.
Both are young men, Ballew appearing to be about 21 and Wilson about 25 years old. The pistols obtained from them were fine blue steel weapons, one a .38 calibre and one a .45.
Though there was no more excitement than would be usual over such an unusual occurrence, Sheriff Roard thought it would he bettor to have the prisoners in the State penitentiary as they could be better guarded and their wounds better cared for. Consequently, under proper guard and in a high-powered automobile, the prisoners left Pickens some time on Monday evening for the penitentiary.
Mr. Holcombe Good Officer.
Chief of Police Holcombe was fine officer and uncommonly popular. It is seldom that a town is wrapped in as deep gloom as overshadows the town of Easley on account of the tragic death of this faithful guardian of the law. He was always alert, faithful and unafraid to do his duty as he saw it, yet he was unusually considerate of the rights of all. Every day he had a smile and kind word for his friends.
He came first to Easley as an officer about five years ago from Central, where he has been an officer the law, and served the town the about two years. He then farmed in Laurens county one year. He then started to farm near Liberty the next year, but was persuaded to come back to Easley as chief of Police in May, 1919, and he held the position of chief from that time until his untimely death last Monday.
He was born in Laurens county 43 years ago. He was a member of the Six-Mile Baptist church and was also a W. O. W. Surviving him are his widow and one daughter, Miss Viola Holcombe; his mother, Mrs. Elvira Holcombe, of Pickens county and the following brothers and sisters: John Eslie and Jos R. Holcombe, of Liberty; W. T. Holcombe of Easley; H. A. Holcombe, of Laurens county; S. D. Holcombe, of Texas; Mrs. Estelle Alexander, of Pickens, and Mrs. Venetta Crow, all of Pickens.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. D. W. Hiott at the residence and the body was laid to rest in Westview cemetery, where it was buried by his brethren of the Woodmen of the World. A number officers of Greenville county and city were present to attend the funeral.
A sad little tale from nearly a century ago when there were railroad hoboes.
But what was this Woodmen of the World? Some secret society?
No. From the 1880s to the 1930s there were many fraternal orders or mutual aid societies. Apparently Woodmen of the World was one. A combination of a mutual insurance organization, social, civic organization. They were for a time notable for their headstones which followed a general pattern but which also incorporated details to reflect the individual (the number of branches representing the number of their children for example.)
Wikipedia has an account of them.
And they are no mere historical oddity. They are still going strong! 700,000 members!
And I don't think I ever heard of them before following an unrelated genealogical trail.
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