The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-04-29
Correspondence Richmond Dispatch. I
Two Negroes near Being Drowned Res
Cued by Whites
CIEsTERFIELD' CoURTHoUsi:,
April 20, l3GS.


CHEsTERFIELD CoURTHoUsi:,
April 20, l3GS.
On Friday morning last two freed
men, named respectfully Manuel and
Tarlcton, procured Il horse and cart from
Mr.. Pnchbcck, near tic pits. and were
proceeding on their way to Ri,hmond !;
but IN attempting to cross Swift Creek
brog", near tho courthouse, they were
carried by tile high water down tho
stream, and both Of them swept out of
the cart. The horse "a very fine ono
was soon drowned, and the poor nc
grocs contrivcd to cling to the saplings
near them Till their cries aroused col.
otcd man asleep OH The Junk and he
could give The alarm 10 the gentlemen at
the courthouse. True TO the kindly in.
stlnct oi the Southern heart, they has
tenedto the spot, and regardless of tho
rapid waters, plunged in: Mr.. S. O.:
Dhvaliswam to the oldest man, Tarlcton,
eighty years OF age, and whose strength
and courage was we'll nigh exhausted,
and choored him with tho hope of safety
if he could hold hold on few minutes
longer, meanwhile supporting Inn until
MesSrs. N. II. and T.. Cogbill, w. Du.
val, and w. A. Archer reached them
with ropes in their mouths and securing
them around the bodies Of Tire poor SHY
cr'ng creatures, brought them to the
bank, though they did SO at a great risk
OF their lives, Mr.. Duval having been in
the wafer so long that he was almost
too nluch oxhustcl to reach the shore.
Several freedmen were looking on whilst
the poor creatures begged pitcouslv for
help, and but two offered the slightest
assistance These two, William Pryor
and Jim Chcntham, were perfectly will
ing TO help, bnt being unable to swim,
were afraid to venture.
When they reached the court house
thephyscIan summoned (Dr. Andcr-
SOM needed help in rcsuscitatins the
old man, and called on colorcd man to
assist him /; but he very cody walked
on, leaving his aged brother to the ten.
der mnrcics Of the harl.hcartcd South
crn white man. DR.. Anderson and MIR.
Thomas Archer chafcd his limbs an
applied the necessary rcstorativos until,
after some length Of time, other freed
men came in and assisted them. About
sunset consciousness was restored to the
aged sufferer, and both Manuel and
Farleton' arc overwhelmed with graft.
tUde now, and say that no one can ever
make them believe hereafter that the
Southern gentleman is not his best
friend. Alas poor African, that you
do not al truly know your best friends,
ere, in mistaken folly, you forever alien.
ate them My heart, for orc, though
often swelling with outraged
pride at the action Of some, still kindly
remembers Tho dusky friends Of odcn
days, and preserves the utmost respect
and good feeling for those who, whilc
fully realizing their CHANGED position,
seek mott abuse their privileges, and
show by their demeanor thai they wish
not to sever the Ties of friendship and
affection which bind them to their for
mcr master, Radicals may preach for
ever Of the cnmity tho Southern man
chcrislics towards his former slaves
but when not one, but many, Of these
noble men, without moments par.cy,
risks his life to save two whom lis
enemies arc striving to arm against
him, the story is told. What need Of
more ?