In the winter of 1921, a grim tragedy befell the Bigham family plantation in the quiet community of Pamplico, South Carolina, forever marking the lives of those involved and leaving a dark chapter in the region's history. Among the victims of this horrific event was a young boy named John McCracken. The male child was one of two adopted sons of Mrs. Margie Bigham Black.
On a cold day in January, the stillness of the plantation was shattered by an act of brutal violence that claimed the lives of multiple family members.
Inside the Bigham home, a scene of unimaginable horror was discovered. John and his brother, Leo, were found with fatal gunshot wounds. The initial belief by law enforcement was that the patriarch, L. Smiley Bigham, had murdered his family before taking his own life. His body was found in the nearby woods, seemingly confirming the theory of a murder-suicide. However, as the investigation progressed, doubts began to surface within the community and among the authorities. The narrative of a distraught family head driven to an unspeakable act started to unravel.
The turning point in the case came with the diligent work of an attorney from Florence, who presented affidavits that cast a shadow of suspicion on another member of the Bigham family, Edmund D. Bigham, the brother of the deceased Smiley Bigham. This new evidence led to Edmund's swift arrest and he was subsequently charged with the murders of his mother, his sister, his brother, and the two young McCracken boys.
The ensuing trial of Edmund Bigham captivated Florence County. The prosecution laid out a compelling case, and after a short deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of guilty in the murder of his brother. Edmund D. Bigham was sentenced to death for his crimes, with the execution date set for April 8, 1921. Though his defense team sought to appeal the conviction, the original sentence was upheld. Years later, it was reported that Edmund Bigham was eventually released from prison in 1960 and died two years after.
