In the late summer of 1900, the life of Constable William Melton Mears, a 34-year-old man, was cut short in a violent ambush near Sylvania, Georgia. On Thursday, August 9, Constable Mears was in the process of serving a warrant on a teenager for communicating threats. As he and his companions neared the teen's home, which was situated close to the Savannah River, a group of men who had been lying in wait in a nearby swamp unleashed a hail of gunfire.
The attack was sudden and brutal. Constable Mears and one of his companions were killed instantly by the rifle fire. A third member of their party was struck by multiple bullets but managed to survive the initial onslaught. Despite his severe injuries, the wounded man heroically crawled to his buggy and made the arduous journey to Sylvania to report the deadly shooting.
The brazen murders sparked a swift response from law enforcement. A thorough investigation led to the capture of five men who were subsequently charged with the murders of Constable Mears and his associate. The legal process culminated in the conviction of all five suspects. On June 14, 1901, the five men were executed by hanging at the Screven County Jail for their roles in the ambush and killings.
