Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-03-18
Fatal ARRAY in Darlington District.

We have learned from q private source of O most
unfortunate occurrence, which took place ut Car
tersville, Darlington District, on Thursday last.
1t appears that on the Monday previous q man
by the maine of Windham, known to be a dealer
in liquor and trafficker with negroes, took from
the Depot ut Gainesville three barrels of whiskey,
which he carried / to his shop. This fact being
communicated to the Vigilant Committee Of that
place, twenty-seven of them met ut Windham's on
Wednesday, for the purpose of seizing and des-
stroying the liquor. They were met, however, by
n larger number of Winduam's friends, who bid
them defiance; and they concluded 10 withdraw,
notifying the other party that they would return
the next day with a force sufficient to accomplish
their object. On Thursday at 10 o'clock, some
seventy-fve men Of the Vigilant Committee, well
armed, met near Windham's shop. They were
formed into three companies, with necessary OH
GERS, and marched to the rear of the house and
halted.
One of their oldest. and most respectable citi-
zens, whose name we have no: learned, went up
and demonstrated with the opposite party, assem-
bled in front of the shop, armed with guns, pistols,
sticks, knives, &C., but to no purpose. He told
them that it was not the desire or intention of the
Vigilant men to do them any harm if it could be
avoided. that they would not shoot unless they
were fired upon first, in which event they would
be killed in their tracks. The defenders Jf Wind.
ham and his liquor swore that they would shed
their last drop of blood, and if the Vigiant men
entered the shop it would be over their dead bodies.
The companies were ordered to advance, one on
the right, another on the left, and the third in the
centre. A halt was made near the door, and the
men stood ready to fret necessary. Another re-
monstrance was made by the Figilant party, but
to no effect. The door was ordered to be opened,
and q fence rail applied for the purpose.
At this ~juncture one of Windham's party singled
out an officer among the v~igilants, saying, 'you
are my man. and fired, the shot brushing him
and striking another man, but not killing him. In
an instant the man. Freeman, was shot dead in
his tracks, aud q general rush made at his party.
knocking them down with the butt ends Of their
guns, breaking them in some instances, and frac'
turing skulls. SC. Our informant states that two
or three of the Windhams are dead, or will die
soon. Iu the ARRAY Mr.. A. Nelson Stuckey, was
badly, if not fatally, stabbed, with n Mr.. Robert
son, the man who was first shot. These were the
only two of the Vigilant Committee injured. The
shop was entered; but not finding the whiskcy,
the corn crib was searched, and it was found
there and destroyed.
These are the facts, as We have them from a
perfectly reliable source. We have given them
az they are furnished in q letter to a friend by one
who was present and saw it oil. We have not the
disposition now to omment on this most unfortu-
nate and deplorable occurrence. 1t is shocking
in its character, and gives US paints abhorent
to our feelings, and must be deplored by nil.
Camden Journal.