The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-04-25
ALLEGED kU-KLU1 MURDERS.
Action OF Governor Scott.

from the Columbia Union, april c..l
Information from. q reliable source reached
the CITY Saturday of The murder OF Peter j.
Lemans, Esq, chairman OF The board OF county
commissioners OF Clarendon county, While
riding In his buggy on the road about Two
miles from Manning, by parties unknown: Phe
body, when found, was pierced by six bullets,
and the number OF tracks In the neighborhood
indicated that the murdered man was attacked
by a considerable party. When our informant
left no clue to the murderers had been dlscoV-
cred. This is one Of the most cowardly dnur-
ders yet perpetrated by the assassins WHO are
bringing woete our State.
Mr.. Lemans Is the same mar referred to u
the Union several weeks since, as having
been visited by q body Of disguised men,, who,
It was reported. ordered him 70 leave the
State, and probably his refusal TO do so has re-
suited as above narrated.
Information from Chesterfield County, up 10
last Wednesday, the 2lst instant, confirms tae
accounts of midnight murders. committed
there, and giving further particulars.
Mr.. Melton expired ut seven o'clock Tuesday
evening, while o small body OF friends were at
the grave burying his vile, BY permission,
the following extract Is taken from a letter
sent through North Carolina by o Northern
woman. She says:
sIwent up there Monday morning early and
found Mrs. Melton lying dead on The bed by
Tile Slue VI Xxi NOuuuCu uuoOoilO, - ~
daughter In the same room. II was a terrible
sight. The floor was saturated with blood.
and Mrs. Melton was completely covered with
blood. We are compelled to keep guards out
all night, as my husbands and Mr.. Danes lite
are constantly threatened. We do not dare
trust the mnils by the way OF Orc at this Time,
and shall need a special messenger to MonSoe.
We are surrounded by enemies, and they are
afraid we shall send for troops. The coloret
people are frightened, and We cannot depend
on them at all"
The following letter regarding the recent
outrages in Chesterfield County was directed
to the sheriff of that county on Saturday:
STATE SOUTH CAROLINA Elk. DEPT.
COLUMBIA, =. c., April 20.
P. F. Spo6ord, SheriGof Chesterfield County:
Information has reached this department,
from reliable sources, that Your county is IN
tested by q gang Of lawless men, who are COM
hitting wanton and unprovoked outrages on
p%eaceable citizens and their properly, IN con-
tempt and violation Of law, and apparently 10
the disregard or indifference of the peace ON
GERS of the county, oil whose efforts, Ii any, TO
arrest them, this office has not been appraised.
am directed, therefore, by his Excellency
the Governor, 10 notify you, as the chief eX.
ecutive officer of the County of Chesterfield,
Of this deplorable condition Of things, and 10
inform you that II it is not promptly rectifed
he will feel it to be his imperative duty, in
accordance With law, to organize a sufficient
military or conslsbulary force for the County
OF Chesterfield as will suffice for the efficient
defence and protection of the lives and pro-
perty of citizens, and the maintenance aud
enforcement Of The law.
The Governor would faIn avoid this course.
not only on account of the expense 1t would
incur, but Of the confession of weakness i'm
piled In the constituted au; horities TO perform
their legitimate duties, but il these are deere
lict, he must and will take the responsibility.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) JOHN HEART,
Private Secretary.