LOBECO, SC: NOV. 7, 1951 ― Gazing into the eyes of his assailants, Harry Eugene Wilson recognized them immediately. Being familiar with their family for years, he was well-liked, active in civic affairs, and engaged with various community organizations. At the time of his death, he had been managing his multi-faceted business in the rural farming LOBECO of South Carolina, just some 10 miles north of Beaufort.
Handling large amounts of cash, the 50-year-old was in the process of totaling his receipts one night when he was violently targeted. To his horror, Wilson was shot in the face with a .22 caliber rifle, being left to suffer severely. He lay in agony while his killers looted his store before returning in a rage to inflict even more brutal injuries with an ice pick and a stick.
The battered remains of the victim were discovered by his 13-year-old son, who arrived too late to prevent the vicious assault. Authorities were swiftly involved, using their expertise to bring justice to the victim whose life was brutally cut short. In the face of such a grave tragedy, the close-knit Lowcountry showed a remarkable resilience and determination to address this heinous crime.
This somber event is just one example of the stark and dramatic stories that permeate the legal circles of the scenic coastal enclave of the 14th Judicial Circuit. Featuring intriguing individuals with diverse and colorful backgrounds, these tales have etched a unique and lasting impression on the landscape of South Carolina history.
A unique figure synonymous with law enforcement in Lowcountry was Sheriff James Edwin McTeer. This young visionary, known for his charismatic personality, and fascinating beliefs in the supernatural, was deeply intertwined with the enigmatic landscape of the local communities. County legend has it that he protected the region with his mystical powers, inevitably lending a mysterious air to his person and his work.
Working in tandem with the law enforcement in the region was none other than the notable luminary, Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh Jr. His legacy as chief prosecutor of the 14th Judicial Circuit is colored by a wealth of experiences, forged in its unique and historically rich environment. As his career unfolded, he channeled his considerable legal authority in addressing a wide range of compelling cases, from moonshine operations, puzzling murders, to unusual criminal activities backed by supernatural claims.
Truly, the uniquely captivating stories of the 14th Judicial Circuit paint a vivid picture of the dramatic and eclectic history that unfolded within this wondrous corner of South Carolina.
