The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-01-17
sssz From the Henderson Times.
AFFAIRS IN POLK COUNTY, N. G..

From the Henderson Times.
! AFFAIRS IN POLK COUNTY, N. G.
I Last Thursday was day of intense excitement
| in Columbus Village, N. O., day long to be re-
! membered and one which has caused many families
to feel the pangs of deep distress griefand
| The bloody affair begun about noon, in this
way: Lieut.. Tom Lane, who was In command of
some citizens and soldiers for the purpose of put
ting down some acts of out-lawry which had been
perpetrated upon the citizens of Polk and adjoin-
/ ing counties. They proceeded to the house of
Pate Hunter, Gin the village and notified him that
he was then prisoner, also notifying Hunters two
sons Charles and Sam, that they were likewise
prisoners. The whole party quietly submitted,
apparently. The senior Hunter (who was in bis
shirt sleeves) requested to be allowed to go into
his house for his coat which was granted by Lane
The three Hunters walked into. the house, and in
few moments appeared at the door, each heavily
armed the senior leading the way, brandishing two
| large bowie knives The sons with Colts army
pistols in hand AS soon as they cleared the en-
closure, Pate Hunter remarked to Dr. Columbus
Mills, 81 will kill you, you damned old rascal"
making at the same time rapid strides towards the
Doctor, and calling upon his sons to fire. Lane,
to save the Doctor, sprang to his assistance, and
exploded cap of his pistol at Hunters head. AT
this time Lane and the young Hunters began to
fire their pistols in deadly earnest. The other
party firing without stint upon Pate Hunter, kill
ing him instantly; the position of Lane and. the
younger Hunters being such that to shoot would
be endangering the life of Lane The boys had it
all to. themselves. by this time, Lane gave
Charles Hunter severe shot, who fell to the
ground the other brother firing at Lane with
telling effect. Lane now falls to the ground,
pierced by three balls, but yet able to fire, which
he did at Sam Hunter, who was making of, strik-
ing him in the elbow joint Sam Hunter now
drops bis pistol and makes off, the guard firing
several shots but doing no damage. Sam makes
temporary escape.
The guard soon arrested some citizens who they
had heard from reliable authority were accomplices
of said Hunter, and others. A posse followed to
the house of Hunter, where they found him woun-
ded as above described.
To tell what has since followed my pen almost
falters, but to be a warning to others the truth
must come. The arrested party were sent off
under guard, the secret of which none other can
tell. The news was soon in circulation, however,
that the whole party of four were killed, not more
than mile from the village of Columbus. The
friends were anxious to find out if such was the
case, upon search, which 1 am informed, was
alas too true. Oh !! what picture Where arc
we drifting? Is this the beginning? hope it
is the ending. fear not, though, without some
hand can interpose, repetition may be looked for
Is it not time for the good men to advise, and for
the evil men to take warning? IF something
better does not take place We may look for times
too horrible to contemplate. Every man must
begin to prepare himself for the approaching crisis
We have powerful common enemy to deal with
and terrible enemy at home To deal with both
requires untiring vigilance and wholesome counsel
The time is coming when all must lend help
ing hand, "They that forsake the law praise the
wicked, but such as keep the law contend with
them"
: P: S-Lane is yet alive, and some hope of his
recovery. Al.
RETRtBur1oN.- Columbia Carolihian gives
the following information of the affair:
Several weeks ago, we recorded advance by
raiders to the plantation of DR.. Mills, eighteen
miles from Spartanburg, where they committed
ruineus depredations. A company OF the citizens
Of Spartanburg started in pursuit; but, after a
chase of two days. returned without achieving their
object. Last week, number of the ring leaders,
so supposed, were traced to Columbus, Polk County,
N. e., and posse of men, under Lieutenant Lane,
went thither to secure them. DR.. Mills accom-
panied them. They reached the house of one
PeytoE Hunter, and on his arrest being demanded
he made at DR. Mills with bowie knife, but for
tunately stabbed no deeper than over-coat. A
moment afterwards, Hunter fell, pierced by seven
balls. Five others-namely, Frank Weaver, -
Shehan, Samuel Hunter, b. F. Hampton and
Charles Hunter were also killed. The Hunters
were members of the same family Weaver was
one Of the distillers of this State, and known ex-
tensively in Columbia as the manufacturer Of the
celebrated "Weaver Whiskey." Three of the
above party were mysteriously "lost" in the woods
while route to Asheville. Lieut.. Lane, of the
attacking party, twice wounded, while per-
forming his duty, but, we ale Informed, will sur
viYe his injuries. 1t is said that the entire COM
munity in the vicinity breathe frcer since the
above clearing out" and that tho most dangerous
nest of rDgleaders in that section has been effect
ually destroyed. Captured correspondence impli-
Gates other parties.