The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-03-11
THE TROUBLES IN CHESTER.
Conflicting Accounts.

From The various accounts which have been
published and the information otherwise
furnished to TIE NEWS, it appears that the
origin OF the excitement In Chester County
was due to the existence of an armed body OF
negro militia, who openly proclaimed that
they were drilling for the purpose OF attacking
the so called Ku-Kluy.
Radical versions are to the effect that the
difficulty was commenced about two weeks
ago by body of disguised men In the upper
part OF the county, who went to the houses OF
three colored men, took them out and beat
them badly, and took from their houses three
muskets belonging to the State. the men
beaten being members Of one Of the militia
companies. The matter having been reported
to the captain OF the company, on lie ioll0W-
ing day he went Unarmed to the house OF one
F. Crawford, who he suspected oil being one OF
the parties who took the arms, and there found
the runs in a broken and useless condition,
which guns he carried away. Matters remained
pretty much in quiet state until last Satur-
day night, when another body OF disguised
men attacked the house OF jim WOODS, a
| colored man, who, having been informed OF
slcl intent, had got three or tour lrlends IN
| the house with him; that when the house was
! fired into these men took to tie woods, where
they secreted themselves until me attacklng
/
| tired upon them, killing the horse OF one,
wonndlng one man severely. and, from acS
counts received, it is supposed that others OF
| the party were wounded, and several Oh
their masks and cloaks were captured:
| That on the following Sunday night tIastl
the party came back again In larger force. ana
attacked tie same house, and were again re-
pulsed, and that on Monday morning, the
| members OF the company OF militia (these ut
tacks having all been made upon thein) came
| 10 the major OF the regiment, In the Town OF
| Chester, Tor more ammunition, which he gave
| them.
On the other hand, citizen Of responsible
character writes to the Phoenix that he was
in the Immediate vicinity where the negroes
were engaged in drilling. and that on last
Saturday night, the 4th Instant. they Darri-
caded the public road, and as young man
was passing, on his way home, they shot and
wounded him, from ambush. THIS pro-
voked an attack soon after from lew
disguised men, who withdrew In consequence
of the superior number of armed negroes.
The following Monday morning these negroes,
numbering about sixty, with The arms and &C,
coutrements furnished by the State, marched
down 10 Chester, O distance of ten miles, ours
| inr and swearing and behaving like demons
on the road. They camped in The suburbs 0,
the town and posted sentinels. who challenged
every white person attempting 10 ieaVe tne
L
from their course and take different dlrec.
ton. The wish, it is affirmed, was expressed
| to the sheriff that lie would summon posse Oh
serenty.fiye men, who were ready to OBEY MS
orders. and have the outlaws arrested. but we
suppose lor prudential reasons ne decllned to
interpose his official authority in any way.
According 10 Iladical accounts, the intend
ant of the town called of Major 2elster. OF the
militia regiment. and endeavored TO lnduct
him TO gct the negroes to leave the town
which they did to considerable number.
On Monday night, the citizens were notlneo
by the ntendant to do Guard duty, apprehen
sions of fire being felt, and the major OF tho
regiment reported. with some OF the coloret
militia, tor duty with the rest Upon return
Ing from this duty, and after oil of his mer
had returned to their homes. the major me
bodies of armed strangers about the town
and when The night train came down II
brought an armed squad from Rock Hill, IL
York County. Upon this, the major got 10
gether ten or fifteen men with the Intention
Of staying by his house. So,
Tuesday morning, ut o'clock. the lntena
ant promised the major that nothlnS snoule
happen. In ten minutes atLerward an atlach
was begun at the depot, by the patties !roll
Rock Hill. which attack was repulSer, ont
coored man being slightly wounded. When l
was believed there would be no iurlher trouole
bnt when the o'clock morning tralu arrived
If brought from Winnsboro about 50 armet
men. who got of at the depot. The major OF I'LL
regiment then collected near his holse com
pany OF the militia, having before THIS lele
graphed to the Governor as 10 what course u
SSnrs,Ip. Atdaybreak an agreement was entered
! fnto. that the company of militia was to 60 be