The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1870-09-21
4 Plain Statement OF the Late 1nsurrection-
arv Movement of the Eegroes


"Coming events cast their shadows be.
FORE" and we may well be prepared for what
seems inevitably 20 come. Sunday afternoon
] report reached town that large armed
band of colored men were in the rciSb5or-
hood of Belmont, swearing to burn out and
kill DIR james Chappell, who had difficulty
some days before with negro who lie was
desirous of driving off the plantation Of Mr.
Moses Anderson, at the latter's request. The
difficulty VIC learn, had been settled however,
afterwards. Mr.. Plysinger. sheriff, proceed
ed to the spot, anil there learned that party
of sixty co!ored men had gone TO the house
of Mr.. Anderson, where Chappell was, and
Mr.. Vim. Satterwhite went out and asked
what was wanted. He was told they wanted
Mr. Chappcll, that they were going to hang
him. Mr. S. said it could not be. They then
threatened to kill him. The party in the
house then came ont, five in number, armed,
when the negroes went off and were Joined
By others, altogether am ounting to large
force.
The citizens in the meantime tRrned out,
and both parties. as night had come on, re-
manned in position about two miles apart till
morning, Mr. PaysinSer with the company
of citizens. Next morning, having business
in town, Dir. P. started back, taking Mr.
Chappell along under arrest to carry out the
law in his case, Mr. Jack Henderson in COM
pany. On the road near Long>hore's Store
they were stopped ny a company Of armed
negroes formed in line. This party threat
cned TO kill the Sheriff. hnt finally consented
TO let him and the two Others pass. ON be-
ing ordered 10 di-pcr-c, and, If not peacea5ly,
they should bo forced, they replied there
were not rion cnonshin New berry 10 disperse
them.
Returning to rho s,ene Of action near Del
mont, in company with two young men, Mr..
r. overlook force Of constabulag and COLI
ored men from town going in the same d.
rec:ion. These no directed 10 80 on and
meet the hostile negroes and tell them that
peace had to he preserved, that he would
what wanted. lie wanted them to disperse,
bu: if they wanted war and would have IT
they should be grati6ed. Arriving on the
ground he found large force, perhaps SIX
or eight hundred in number, Of white men
mounted and armed, who had gathered in
his absence, having heard beside that Crews
I ho
to reinforce the Belmont outlaws. Dir. P.
then with three or four leading men Of the
neighborhood, advanced to the hostile party
and demanded TO know what they wanted.
The answer was justice. They were told
they should have it, but they must disperse
and also give up the sixty who had threats
cned Mr. Cs life, and to bum his premises.
After considerable demur the demand Was
wisely agreed to, but only twcnty-three Of
the offenders could be found; these were Civ
en- up and placed under arrest The armed
party of white mounted men, who had thus far
been kept in the background, were now or
dered up, and filed past in review, when the
negroes quietly dispersed, promising 10 so to
their homes. The town party then started
on their return home with the prisoners.
In the meantime, n negro camc into town
shot in the arm, and reported the wound In.
fic,ed by Mr.. Geo. Johnstone, who was with
Mr.. Paysinger. A howl was at once raised;
and party Of infuria'ed colored boys and
men started 10 take Dir. j.. These selfap>
pointed judges, and would be executioners,
met the returning Sheriff party, and were
very riolent in demonstration against Dir. j.,
in fact fired one shot at him. The insulting
language and threats were hard TO bear, bat
theY were borne patiently. 1t was ascertained
finally, chat the party suspected was not the
one; and. the company Of peace-makcrs
reached town safely. Here the scene battles
description, the town was in an uproar, that
is, THE colored portion, and nothing but the
quiet determination Of the white citizens,
and their great forbearance, kept off coils
iou.. The prisoners were placed under guard
and,fnally gave bond for appearance at
Court, which is now sitting. At night a
fo,ce was put on guard, as 8 necessary pre-
caution against the threats and violence Of
the afternoon. Nothing transpired during
the night TO disturb the quiet, and in the
morning no sign Of the disturbance could be
seen.
1t may be mentioned that the mounted
citizens instead of coming towards town,
moved in the direction Of Edgefeld, as it was
reported that large force Of negroes were
near the Saluda river, and about 10 cross to
join issue with the Belmonte:s, but the result
of this we have not ascertained.
This is plain, uuyarnishcd account OF the
whole affair. so far as we can learn. The
negroes were wholly in the wrong. If Mr.
Chappell committed an offenSe against the
law, in striking man who grappled with
him, to the law recourse should have been
had. But this seems tot the advice Of party
radical leaders, the purpose evidently is to
bring on a collision, and the colorcd people
are foolish enough to be led into the trap
We don't want this fight, We dcprecate it,
and will 60 TO al! reasonable lcnStns 10 pre-
vent it, but patience will soon cease to be a
virtue, and if these blinded colored people
are determined 10 prccipitate il, they will
get it we fear before long.
We do not wish to make great sensation
article of this, or stir up any more feeling
than has been shown, on the contrary, our
desire is, as is the purpose and wish Of eve
ry honest citizen, and among this number
not few co'orcd men, 10 maintain peace
at n i hazards, but We would perhaps be do
ing wrong did We not mention that one of
the White Cons,abulary force, and The chief
of them all, after promising the Sheriff TO
aid him in quelling the riot, was seen 10 take
hold ofa negro, and heard to tell him, 80
90 in and defend his rights" We have This