Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-05-11

| tine, ne was c0untertcllcF, "uose luSeuuiIy
and caution were alike remarkable, that it
was impossible to procure his conviction in
court of Justice. A striking example may
serve to illustrate bis extraordinary cunning.
Silmore was arrested about a year before
the date of the visit by the lynchers soon to
be described, and brought to trial for passing
spurious money to the amount OF tive thou
sand dollars, which be had given in payment
for a drove of slaves. The proofs on the part
of. the State were positive against him, and
there seemed no chance for his escupe. But
to the astonishment Of everybody, he intro
| duced as witness of his innocence one OF
the most reputable men in the county, who
swore "that some months anterior, the priS-
oner at the bar had staid over night at his
house, and that in the morning, when they
both walked out to the gate, Silmore ex-
claimed, looking towards the public road,
| "Yonder some traveller has lost his pocket
book" and running to the place, picked it
up, when it was found to contain five thou
sand dollars in bank bills the same then pro-
duced in Court. That the numbers were ia
ken down by witness, at prisoners request,
and an advertisement inserted in the Spring
field newspaper, with an accurate account of
the finding" This was conclusive, and the
accused accordingly received an acquittal.
What a rogue's ruse was here what fertili-
ty of invention Ito lose his own counterfeit
money, and then find it in the presence Of a
credible witness, SO as to have proof for any
contingency.
The log cabin of Silmore, on that bright
4th of July before. specified, presented in
dubitable tokens of preparation for some ex.
danger. The door was shut and fastened
with strong wooden bars on the inside. Sew
eral port holes, with the black muzzles of
guns bristling through their apertures, might
be noticed in the walls as we'll as doors.
Within, the scene was worthy Of a painter.
Intently watching towards the South, through
small crevice left between the logs, sat the
counterleiter-a slight, well favored, grey
haired man, with restless, rolling, and very
bright black eyes, and disagrecable puck
cred expression about the corners of the
mouth. Close beside him were his wife and
elder daughter, Eliza, both in tears. But
that creature OF grace and beauty, the sylph-
like Mary, whose charms formed the topic OF
wonder and admirItion for the whole country
around, although not yet sixteen, neither
trembled nor wept but constantly examined
the guns-saw that there breeches were pro-
perly supported on chairs and tables, and that
their deadly 9ark muzzles were pointed dl-
rectly at tue gate. Sue looked at the prini-
ing in the pans, fixed fresh caps on the tubes
of the pistols, and laid bowie-knite aud
Ratchet in places to be handy for sudden Use.
All this was proven on the subsequent trial.
And yet still there was no appearance OF
unusual emotion perceptible on her counte-
nance, which was mild, calm, and sweet as
ever.
Near noon column of horsemen became
visible in the South, moving rapidly forward
over the even prairie. The vision of ominous
peril affected the inmates of the log cabin in
different ways. The features Of the counter.
feiter grew pale as marble. The mother and
Eliza uttered suppressed cries, and entreated
him to seek safety in fight across the river.
"Never p exclaimed the lovely Mary.
"Never run from such band of murderers.
No, dear father, defend your own house or
die! l viii help you defend it, and die with
you"
In few moments their foes were at the
gate. They alighted, hitched their horses to
the palings, and were in the act of entering.
The gate was fifty PAGES from the house.
"Now, father, is the time to fire. Let us
shoot sure and quick" said Mary, in a low
and calm voice.
But Silmore was in no state of mind to
heed such excellent advice. His courage had
vanished in the exact ratio of the enemy's ap.
proach, until he stood pale, trembling, and
powerless as an infant.
"Why do you not shoot, father?" asked
Mary, with flashing eyes as the lynchers rush.
ed through the gate and hurried on towards
the cabin, and the mother and eldest daught
screamed outright with terror.
The father could not even answer, but sunk
down, quaking on the floor.
"Then let me shoot" cried the young
heroine, springing to o gun, as the savage
men advanced half way from the gate to the
door.
"No! mol" ariculated Silmore in tremu-
lous tones, so faiat as to be scarcely an audi
BILE whisper; and at the same instant the
mother and Eliza caught Mary, and by main
strength, with considerable difficulty, preven.
ted her from fring-an act that, under the
circumstances, would have looked like mad
mes, for what might the despuirins bravery
of girl avail against two hundred OF tho
most desperate lynrhsrs in all the backwoods
Little time, however, was allowed for
action,
In moment the door was beaten from is
hinges. The avengers entered and dragged
the auireriug couriterfeiter forth, his wife IN
Eliza following after, and calling out in the
most piteous tones for mercy. The prayer
was offered in vain-otfered to ears as deaf to
entreaty as the adders 10 the charms of music.
"Let us hang the wretch to the first limb y
shouted Captain Mays.
"Hang him to the first limb" echoed two
hundred voices.
"Here is rope" said the captain, drawing
a strong cord from his pocket.
"Mercy mercy y
"Climb up into that magnolia, and tie one
end of this to yonder swinging limb, while l
fasten the other in Eoose round the villain 8
neck and then when ! give the word, pull
him up six feet Let him go of high and
dry" ordered the chief lyncher.
Bob Mays, o brother Of the captain, and
another man ascended the old tree in the
yard, as directed, one Of them holding the
rope between his teeth, while their leader pro-
ceeded to adjust the moose on the fainting
victims throat.
Mercy mercyr Still arose that wailng
cry, in shrieks dreadfully loud and shrll.
Take away these yelling women! !" said
the captain, rs the two females fell on their
faces before him, and clasped their arms close.
ly about his knees.
The command was executed, and as the
rude lnurderers bore them off, they both still
screamed "mercy!' and Eliza added, "Com. :,
come, sister Mary, and beg the. captain for
mercy. He ouced loved you so we'll, perhaps
he will hear you"
Mays turned pale and glanced his eyes
towards the cabin. No one, however, was to
be seen there, and the door itself was again
shut.
"Are you rcady?' inquired the chief look
ing Into the tree above him.
"MescyP feebiy whispered the counter.