The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1868-01-16
Unfortunate Tradegy.

Our usually 'iuiet community was
greatly startled and shocked on the af-
ternoon of Sunday last, 18th inst, by
the information that two freedmen had
been killed at the Jail yard in this town.
We are deeply panied at being forced
to chronicle this sad event, so deeply
to bo deplored by every good citizen.
The whole matter is in the hans Of
the civil authorities, where we are con-
tent to leave it; conscious that, now as
ever, the tribunals of our country are
the safest and surest places for the ad-
Indication Of such unfortunate issues.
To avoid the evil influence of rumor,
however, we put on record the known
and recognized facts of the case, ex'
pressing no opinion ofdisputed points
which are to be judged ofby tile courts.
The premises of Mr.. Isaac OwESs
about twelve miles above Camden were
set on fire and while he and others of
the family were engaged in subduing
the flames, his smoke house was bro
ken open and robbed. He procured a
search warrant and found his bacon
&C., in the possession Of YoRk OwENs
and WILLIAM MtcKLE, two freedmen,
who acknowledged the theft and it is
said the arson also.
Mr. Owens, with n few ncighbors
brought them to town on Sunday, on
1<their way into town thoy met the
Sheriff, who was called. out Of town
on official business-he examined their
papers and told him to deliver the
prisoners to the Jailer. On arriving at
tue Jail yard Mr.. OwESs, with the
freedmen attempted to 60 into the
gate, but it was barred, he disnlounted
and holding the gun by the muzzle at
tempted toopen it, buta little girl from
within opened it and he and the freed
men passed in, the others all OH horse
back in the street. The freedmen
broke loose, a scuffle ensued the gun
was discharged and WILLIAM M1ckLE
was mortally wounded, dying in a few
hours, and YonK Owens dashed of
and was shot and immediately killed
by Mr. OwENs.
One statement is that YoRK OwESs
seized the gun Which went of shoot
ing WILLIAM MicKLE. The other is
that when they broke loose Mr.. Owens
shot first WILLIAM MIcELE and then
YorK OWENS 1t is not our province
to decide the truth Of this question.
We repeat our deep regret at this at
fair regret earnestly shared by every
good citizen-for in our trying position,
every moment of which W. are exposed d
to gauntlet and ordeal, we need per-
feet quiet and peace. Bond and free
alike need them, for without them not
only have we no political existence, but
mere subsistence now depends on good
order, quiet and industry. These con-
siderationsan and others not so well found
ded have caused more feeling and in
terest in this affair than the circunIstan-
ces ef themselves warrant.
While human nature lasts, crime will
be committed. Prisoners will attempt
to escape-guards will attempt to pre-
vent it, and life sometimes will pay the
forfeit of the attempt, these things hap
pen all over the world constantly. We
hesitate not to say that if these two un-
fortunate freedmen had been white NAL
efactors, the event would scarce have
produced ripple, on the surface ofso-
ciaty, as it was, it caused among the
prudent, thoug tful and considerate the
deepest regret, aside from the mere
horror at the occurrence.
Among the freedmen it caused good
deal of excitement, the attempt was
made by a few idle and mischievous
among them, to treat it as party mat
ter, threats of rescue, firing the Jail &C.,
were freely uttered, but to the great
credit of the community of freedmen,