The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-04-05
From an Occasional Correspondent.
ORANGEDURa, c. H., S. c.
Murch, 80, 1854.

vicinity, who are remarkable for their
quiet and peaceful department, (savc
when the Federal Government leaps
the bounds ofits lawful province) have
bccd recently startled by two events
as grave in their nature and conscquen.
ccs as they were malicious, wanton
and cruel in their conception and exc
cutiOn.
On the morning Of the 2lst Feb.
rnary last, onr citizens were aroused
from their slumbcrs to behold q large
portion of their bcaatilul village burnt
TO tho ground. The f,e was discov-
cred about two o'clock in the morn
ing, and in spite of the strenuous ef:
forts of our citizens, (par,iculy the
lnborIng portion, who are generally
the best standby in Canes Of triaI,)
some eighteen building were consumed
by the break Of day many of them
were the largest and finest looking
stores in the place. The loss was heavy
to many, bu: fortunately the havi
est looscrs were most able to bear it,
The hand OF some vile inccnJary, glo
ry'nS III -,must have Yielded
TO its wanton ayariciousncss, and we'll
did it play the game on that occasion,
no doubt made its luck.
On the 4th March, inst, a most bar
barous murder was cammittcd on a
negro slave by her master r. C. Rot
tcnbury. On the 18th inst, her BODY
was found in the Elisto river oppo-
site this village. y jury was immcdi-
atcIy summoned, commenced its en-
animation about the 4th. The said Rot.
tcnbcrry was known to beat said black
girl upwards Of two hours with sticks.
llls was done in his kitchen. Find
ing he had beaten her nearly to death,
he made her go into his dwelling house,
on the way she was seen to staggcr
and could scarcely drag herself up the
steps by the assistance of the banister
railing. He made her go into one Of
the rooms Of his dwelling, and there
kept her, until Gas it was supposedly the
next morning when she was missing,
and r., said she had runaway &C.
On 18th she was found us above sta
ted, discmbowelcd, her ears and nose
cut oft and her body tied up in a blan.
ket, her head and face bruised and
broken i'll several places. 1t was
shown that she died from her wounds
on tho night Of the Ath, That before
day Roltcnbcrry made one of his he.
gro men assist him in carrying her to
the river, about one mile, on a pine
pole, traces Of their tracks and the
blood could be seen for some time
after. She was thrown into the river.
and R., on his return home, reported
her as runaway. The jury were seve-
raj days i'll the examination. They
closed perfectly satisfied as 20 the iden
tity of the girl and the purpetra,or of
the murder, and found her master, r.
Z. Rottenberry guilty thereof. A
warrant was issued for his apprchen.
sion, but he had taken leg-bail for
security. The whole proceedings have
been communicated to our Governor.
and no doubt he has or will take pro-
per steps TO have ,sis monster of bru-
tality returned to justice. That he
should, is due TO ibis community, the
State and especially to this race Of be.
ings, who look up to and deserve pro.
lection from the whites. Every feel.
ing, every sentiment Of humanity is
enlisted in her favor and her blood
cries to heaven for vengeance.
This tragica occurrence is very
much to be lalnented, our citizens
contemplate it with mingled feelings Of
horror and.indignation. There seemed
to be no paIliating circumstance at.
tending the deed, it was cold and
bloody murder.
CALToN.