The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-12-25
THE BLACK KU-KLUX.
EXPLOITS OF 4 GANG OF NEGRO
RUFFIINS IN FORK COUNTY.
Insolent and Outrageous Freaks of a
Self-Constituted s'Major"-A Black
Court Martial-The Fruit OF One of
Governor Scott's Pardeus.


One of the grossest oulrages we have ever
known to be committed By negroes in this sec
tion of the State, was perpetrated in this
county last week by gahg under the leader
ship of negro named Joe Carter. This ne
gro is originally from Kershaw County, and is
represented as being desperate character,
having but recently been pardoned by Gov
ernor Scott from the Penitentiary before serv-
ing out sentence that was pronounced
against him at Camden for stealing cotton.
1t seems that the military authorities here
desired the arrest Of negro named Henry
Glenn, and the fellow Joe Carter represented
that he could make the arrest. as he was IA
miliar with Glenn's lurking places; but he re-
quired written authority, giving as reason
that by acting under a show of orders, Glenn
could not be wrested from him by others be-
fore he should be safely delivered in Yorkvile.
The written author ty, or 'cOmmssion was
granted him. and he sailed forth, proGlalmlnfg;
himself, when he arrived in the Clay Hill
neighborhood as Major Joseph Carter" and
subsequently, during the exploits of his brief
career, announced that he was q member Of
Troop L OF the 7th Cavalry, now stationed
here. and hailed from the State of New York.
Joe had no difficulty in obtaining adherenls,
and seven negroes at once enlisted them. elves
Jackson, Greene Hampton, Nick Jackson, Jack
Wallace. Rnfus Rswlinson, Slas Gillespie and
James McCaw. They had all procured arms
Of various kiuds-double barre! shot-2uns. old
fashioned muskets and pistols-and on Tues
day night, the 18th instant, proceeded to the
residence of Henry vii Jams, at Wright's
Ferry. on Catawba River, thirteen and half
miles northeast of this place. Mr.. Williams
was absent from home, OF which fact the ne.
groes were aware. Approaching the house,
they demanded admitlance, when Mrs. Will
llams called Claybnrn Smith, young man
who has charge of the ferry, to ascertain what
was wanting at so unusual an h0ur-lt then
being near two o'clock In the morning.
Young Smith arose and opened the door. when
six 0t the above named eight entered.
Joe Carter at their head, who gave his
followers orders to cock their guns demand
ing of Mr. Smith, at the same time, his name.
On replying that 1t was Clayburn smith, the
'Msjor' contradicted 1t, asserting that his
name was Jim Smith," and that he was The
man they were after. Their conduct here was
riotous, and after conducting themselves in
turbulent manner for some lime, they pro-
ceeded to search the house for arms. They
found two pistols and O shotgun, which they
captured" and compelled young Smith 10
load. They then searched his trunk, taking
from it some tobacco. and demanded his pock-
ct book. which, under threats of death, he
young Smith to thug" him, and he manifested
his own love for Smith by kissing him. TAX.
ing possession Of Smiths hat and suit of
his clothes, they left Mr.. Wil.lams's house,
making prisoner OF Smith, whom they COM
PEELED to follow with them under the strlctest
duress.
They next proceeded In the d;rec ion Of
Clay Hill, stopping at the house OF negro
man named Alexander Wallace, near the resis
dence of Mr.. Leroy Barrou's, at which place
they arrived at about daylight on Wednesday
morning. Mr.. Barron having OCCASION TO
visit Alexander Wallace, be was met by this
negro, who Informed him OF the presence OF
the desperadoes at his house, having as cap
tive the young man Smith. Mr. Barron then
started for the house and expressed a desire
to see Smith, when he was met BY the
Major who gave orders 10 turn out the
guard" Mr.. Barron was at ooce surrounded
by the negroes, presented guns 10 hand, and
his nearer approach to the house etfectually
interGicted. Realizing the "slualion. he
exhibited the better part OF valor by prudently
retiring.
The negroes next proceeded along the pub.
lie road, by way of Sahm's mill, 10 David Wat
sons, where they left the road aud went
across the fields 10 Ebenezer, and from there
went to Rock Hill, leaving Smith concealed
aud under guard short distance from the
village Their object In visiting Rock Hill is
supposed 10 have been to procure supply OF
whiskey. They next visited the house OF q ne
gro named Harris. who lives on Avery's "Black.
Jack" plantation, about five miles northeast OF
Rock Hill, which place they reached late In the
evening oil Wedne sday, and remained there all
night. Here the Major" was quite communi
calive regarding his future plan OF operations
and among other items In his programme,
he asserted THAT it was his intention
TO whitewash all the houses 10 South Carolina
with the brains Of the white children" Leav-
ing Harrls's house early Thursday morning,
they next called upon another negro named
David Barron; where breakfast fer the entire
PARTY was ordered, in payment lor which an
'sorder' was given on the United States Gov
ernment." Their next movement was up
Catawba River 10 the McCaw River plantation.
they having, in the meantime, pressed into
their ranks several negro men-some OF them
entering unwillingly and compulsorly-til!
their number now reached fifteen; and at the
McCaw place they attempted to make
prisoner of youth, the son of Mr.. Joab Price.
Price demonstrated, and the youth being par
tally deaf, he was left not however, until
several bellIgerent demonstrations We're made,
the Major" drawing pistol on Mr. Prices
younger children and making threats TO shoot
them.
on leaving Mr. Prices, two Of the negroes
were detailed TO conduct their prisoner,
Smith, TO the plantation of Mrs. Steele, four
miles from Yorkviile, on Fishing Creek, where
he was detained until Saturday morning, the
others-some fourteen in number-going on
10 the plantation Of Mr.. R. H. Glenn, wnere
some laborers were employed. Here they ar
rested youth named Lovelace, who was in
the service of family Of the name Of Davidson.
Young Lovelace's offence was having some
lime previously struck negro named Abe
Choat. The young man was taken TO ChoaCs
house, a quarter OF mile distant, and there
s.court,martialed.r The court" adjudged
him guilty, and sentenced him to pay hne of
five dollars damages TO Choat, and one dollar
TO the Major" or go to Jail. The bewildered
boy, not knowing By what authority the
court was constituted In these piping times
of peace" gladly assented 10 the paying OF The
fine and damages. and was TO have dis
charged the obligation last Monday. During
the sitting of the "court" the Major an-
nounced that during the next week he should
establish his headquarters in that neighbor-
hood, and would proceed to try number OF
other cases aud adjust matters generally.
Their conduct at the house of the Davidson
family, which consists entirely of females, was
of an outrageous character, though no vio-
lence was attempted toward the ladies'. On
the same day they continued the raid to Bal
ley Barrons, wilhina mile of Wrighl's ferry.
when they changed their course and entered
the public road at Sahm's mill. Mr.. Sahms,
and also Mir. ]. Leroy Barron, were threatened
with arrest, though no serious attempt was
made to put the threat into execution. At
Sahm's mill, the crowd dlsbanded to meet on
the following Saturday, near Douglass store,
when, the Major assured his men, they
should receive pay for their services at the