Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-05-04

On Wednesday evening last, April 10Th,
Peter J. Lemon (colored( Chairman oi
the Board of County. Commissioners q
Clarendon County, was killed by some
unknown person or persons about six
o'clock.
The facts, as your correspondent can
learn, are as follows; On the day above
mentioned, Lemon came into town from
his home on Santee River and after Trans
acting some business LETT. On his return
home, and when near Fellowship Church
about three miles from this place, he was
shot by some unknown person with buck
shot twentv-one OF which entered his body
causing instant death His body was
found the next morning lying or his bug
gy floor, near the place, by some laborers
passing.
An inquest was held by the Coroner,
and verdict returned IN accordance with
The facts above stated.
The news OF Lemons death created the
most intense excitement among the colored
pcople, they atn;buting his death to the
whites and on Saturday a bard OF negroes.
numbering at least seventy-fve, armed
with nusEe,s and pistols (said to be the
militia company formerly commanded by
Lemon) marched to this place with the
intention, tliey said, of avenging his
death. When in about hall mile OF tie
village they halted and, after putting out
q guard, sent g few of their number in for
the purpose Of accommodating. These
were informed By cur Intendant, that no
armed band would be permitted to march
INTO town, and precaution was taken to
render such assistance to our MUNICIPAL
and civil authorities as would be necessary
10 maintain the peace.
About ; o'clock portion OF the band,
about fifty IN number, in command OF a
Lieutenant unaymed, however, with the
exception OF few, rode horseback into the
public square Of the town, and enquired for
q negro man by the name Of Edward Mel
SON. who they accused of being the mur-
dcrcr. and stating that they had testimony
sufficient TO convict him. Upon this the
Coroner informed them that he would
examine their witness on Monday. This
statement Of theirs is thought to be only
a ruse; for while one would accuse Mel
son, others would charge it to the whites.
After an hours talk they rejoined Their
armed companions without the suburbs
and took. as We suppose, their march
home. Our citizens anticipate some trou-
BILE here on Monday, but are .fuAy pre-
pared for tie emergency. There is
cool calm determination on the part OF the
whites to abide by and obey the laws
commit no orer act, but simply to defend
themselves
To sum up, Peter Lemon, . colorcd
County Commissioner, is killed near this
place on Wednesday last, By some one un-
known. On Saturday following band
of armed neorocs disregarding all Law and
,rler march 10 this place 10 avenge his
death upon the whites, the effect, Of whic!:
has caused considerable excitement, and
ceiling Of insecurity among our people,
loss Of several days Of both farmers anc
horses out Of the crops. RYAN.
MONDAY NIGHT, April 24th, 1871.
As ] was unable TO get this off by to-
DAYS mail. ! viii add that the Coroner
went this morning, accompanied by g grea5
many Of our citizens, 70 the scene Of ,ae
late murder. hey returned iLt> GFS.i!!!o
and l am informed that ;hcy me; ii tAe
place about one hundred negroes, d lev D;
waom were armed, tie maoritg h'.icS W.
armed, and more orderly and quiel gang
Of negroes we've never seen. The tcs,llno-
NJ Of the witnesses furnished was taken,
lbut the coroner informs me that II amount
! ed to nothing but hesrsa,' e15 29.a.s .a
Ano one. So the question Is % * 2@
:Aone remains rs W o-l2n-R5r
alalet tonight, ani; 2s.rang. s.a coz
3ittie suspect that d&y q s. - 90,
] quit little village Was t.-e sceae 2; so
3$nucn excitement. Ryan.