The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-11-12
Extraordinary Criminal Cases.

+ Two of the most extraordinary criminal cases
ever known in South Carolina were tried in the
recent court of common pleas and general ses-
sions for Pickens district, before his Honor,
Judge TN. Dawkins.
Nine colored persons and white man named
Alexander Bryce all members of Union
League, at Walhalla, were indicted for the muir
der of Miles NJ. n. Hunnicut, a white youth,
fourteen years of age, the evening of the 18th
ultimo, while the latter was present at a deba-
ting society, near Hunnicutt's Crossing, in Pick
ems district. z~za=~H-=es
Hon. j. P Reid thus detailed the circum-
stances of the murder.
The case is peculiar in it's origin. I expect
to show to you that the young men in the vicinity
of Oak Grove academy, in this district, had been
in the habit of meeting, on Saturday evening, In
debating society, for the purpose of discussing
questions calculated to improve themselves and
interest the surrounding community; that on
the evening of the 18th of October, these youths,
their parents and friends, had thus assembled
and that while engaged in their usual. exercises,
without a suspicion of trouble OR difficulty, they
were rudely disturbed by curses and denuncia-
tions, which brought every inmate of the house
to his feet in amazement and alarm. That on
rushing to the door, they discovered party of
negroes, eight ten in number, apparently great
ly Infatuated, who were the advance guard of
hundred, or perhaps two hundred MORE who
were that evening holding meeting about two
hundred yards from the Oak Grove academy,
for the purpose of organizing what is called
Union League. .s.-#
am not aware that it was known to any men,
Der of the debating society that these two meet
ings were taking place at the same time That
as soon as these young men made their appear
al of no two or hv no
negroes, who were uttering wild EXPLANATIONS of
rage, and thereupon struggle commentator
the one hand to arrest the white men, and on the
other to defend themselves from the unprovoked
and unautici pated attack That while this brief
contest was in progress, pistol shot was dschar-
ged by some OF these negroes, which took fatal
effect upon the person of Miles NJ. n. Hunnicutt,
a boy OF fourteen years Of age, who had been
engaged, perhaps in the discussions of the even
ing He fell; the boy was surrounded and al
most trampled upon; swords were drawn, weapons
displayed and threats made by enraged negroes,
who declared they knew no law, but their own
might, and that war had begun. That amid
this confusion, negro guard, consisting of ten
or twelve persons, was formed, with sergeant
in command, and dispatched in search of per-
son whom they called Bob. Smith, their allega-
ton being that this individual had fred a pistol
near their place of meeting, and Was, according
to the orders given, to be ARRESTED, dead or
alive" That the white persons who remained
Except the little boys who had made their es-
cape were arrested, imprisoned in the academy
and their names taken down, but that after being
locked up for some time, the brother in law of
the wounded boy was permitted to go out and
remove the body to the house, which was done
although the lite of the poor young Hunnicutt
departed in a few minutes thereafter.
Meanwhile the negroes were ordered by their
officers not to leave and the next morning at day
light went to the residence of Mrs Smith
searched her premises, insulted and assaulted her
person, and afterwards passed from house to
house, committing enormous depredations.
Such are the circumstances of the case.
The prisoners were ably defended by Gen
MCGOWAN, Of Abbeville, General EasIey, of
Greenvilla, and Messrs. Norton and Adams, of
Pickens. The jury consisted of white men,
three of whom are said to be members of the
Union League, and were selected by the pris-
oners, with the consent of the Solicitor, before
the trial began. Several United States soldiers
were present, as guard.
1t is significant and noteworthy fact that
many of the former owners of the negroes ar
ralgned In the two cases were also present, to
offer ball. if such should be demanded, and to
participate in the defence Of the deluded freed
men. We are informed that quite number con-
tributcd to the employment of counsel.
The jury retired. and after an absence of half
an hour, returned the following verdict: sGuil-
ty, with reference to December Gadsden, Nat
Frazier, John Keith, Jack Walker, Green Cleve-
land, Jr., and jackson Henderson Not guilty,
with reference to Alexander Bryce Capt Deane,
Bob Breckenridge and Isaac Adams"
The prisoners were sentenced to be hanged on
the 9th of December next.