The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-21
From the August, Caronlc:e, September CO.,

From the Augustl Caronlc.e September CO.,
1t seems that our neighbors In Jefferson
County are TO be the first in this State to eX.
perIence to its fullest extent the beauties OF
the Ku.Klux law. We regret TO learn OF
very unfortunate occurrence in that county.
which resulted in the death OF two men. and
" hich has caused a company OF United States
soldiers to be quartered on the county. Ii
seems that the first act in the drama was the
killing of white citizen, a respectable young
man, named Joseph Coleman, who lived In
Jefferson County, few miles away from Bar
tow. Mr. Coleman was killed by negro
named Bug Pierce, who also lives near the
place above mentioned. About this Kliilng
there are two stories, each dametricall{
opposed to the other. One account sayt
that about three weeks ago Mr. Coleman aDd
party OF men went at night 10 the house 4
Pierce for the purpose OF Offering him violence
The negro refused 70 let them enter the house.
and as Mr. Coleman attempted to enter the
window, Pierce shot him dead with MS gun.
This Is the Radical version of the affair. The
other account and the one which Respectable
gentlemen pronounce the true one. and the
one which the character Of the parties show
to be correct, outs the matter In al entirely
different light. Pierce, who had the weil-de-
served reputation OF being turbulent and
dangerous character. had committed some
offence, and q magistrate had issued warrant
for his arrest. Mr. Coleman and his compan.
ions were constituted posse to execute the
warrant, as the negro's reputation led them TO
expect resistance, and they went to his house
at night. When they arrived there Pierce re-
fused to be arrested, aud when Mr. Coleman
attempted to perform his duty shot MIN down
like O dog. After the death OF Coleman. the
negro continued to resist arrest. and the posse
finally left the place with their dead comrade.
Alter the murder had been committed Pierce
became alarmed
AND FLED THE COUNTRY.
He succeeded in making his escape, and went
directly to Atlanta, where, We have no doubt,
he visited the Executive mansion aud poured
his narrowing tale into his bovinitys ear.
After staying some time in Atlanta he again
started on his travels, and went TO Washing
ton City to consult the Federal authorities
upon this Fearful ku-Klux outrage" From
Washington he went to New York, where he
STAYED some time. In Washington he procur-
ed assistance and came back to his home last
Friday night. bringing with him a guard OF
three United States soldiers, procured, We De.
lieve, from the garrison at Atlanta. Having
murdered an officer of the law in the most
cruel and cold-blooded manner, the govern
ment sent him back with bayonets TO brave an
outraged community. The soldiers accompa-
MED him to his home and garrlsoned his
house until Saturday, when the civil authori-
ties issued q warrant t0r MS arrest upon lHe
charge of murder. The warrant was executed
and
PIERCE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY,
to await preliminary examination. On Sat
urday night, while Pierce was under the
charge OF an officer, party of disguised men
suddenly appeared upon the scene and seized
and secured the officer before he could offer
any resistance cart and harness en the
place we're then taken and mule hitched to
the vehicle. The negro was tied and put in
the cart and carried away by the party. What
became of the prisoner after this can only be
copjectured. 1t Is believed, however, that he
received summary punishment for the murder
of young Coleman. The cart came back to the
place next morning, but none OF the party OF
the previous night with it. In the meantime
it Is said that
THE THREE SOLDIERS
furnished by the government came to the con-
clusion that they had better get out OF that
neighborhood as soon as possible, and they
beat rapid retreat to the railroad and to At
lanta. The soldiers must have given an alarm
ing report al headquarters, for on Monday
evening the train brought down captain and
twenty-six men to Barlow. at last accounts
the soldiers were quartered near the depot,
but had taken no action. 1t Is reported that
they have instructions 10 arrest numoer OF
the citizens living IN the vicinity OF Barlow,
and there is good deal Of excitement ID tne
neighborhood.