The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-11
LET Us HAVE PEACE!
i FULL ACCOUNT OF TIE UNION
TROUBLES.

Il FULL ACCOUNT OF TIE UNION
TROUBLES.
Ffendish Behavior OF the Negro Mill
tia-Action OF the Conservative citi-
zens.
The Unionville Times contains full ao-
count of the murder Of Mr.. Stevens by band
of armed negroes, and confirms the state
ments already made in these columns. The
scenes at Unionville, after the discovery OF the
murder and subsequent events, are described
as follows: ~. =!
During Sunday, number Of colored men
were arrested. and intense excitement pre-
vailed among the people. Towards nlgnt re-
ports came in that an attempt would be made
hy the members of the militia companies, to
take the prisoners from the Jail, and the con.
duct of many Of the colOred men gave reason
to believe there was some cause for the report;
consequently o strong guard was placed at the
Jail. About eight o'clock 1t was discovered
that number OF men with guns were congre-
eating at the house of Silas Hawkins, and a
posse was sent there TO disperse them. On
knocking at Hawkinss door the posse was an
sWered by y0lley Of musketry from within,
severely wounding Mr.. Daniel Smith. This
actso exasperated the men that they returned
the fire, and wounded two OF the militia inside
OF the house. They then LETT for reinforce re
ments, and our worthy intendant, MIR. h. l..
Goss, and Colonel /. G. McKissick, returned
to the house with them, and after much per-
suasion were admitted. Most Of the former
inmates mad lett but those remaining were ar
rested.
The excitement during Monday was as
high as the day before, and the suspicion
that an attack would be made upon the: Jail
grew stronger about u O'Clock at night,
Colonel J. l.. Young's stable, situated about
Two squares from the jail, and near the heart
Of the town, &as set on fire and destroyed,
with horse and cow anda quantity of
hay. The wind was blowing hard, but for
tunately towards the only quarter where the
flames could not reach other buildings. Cir
cumstances occurred during the fire, going far
TO convince every one in town that the hre
was caused for purpose:
On Tuesday morning sufficient proof leaked
out to suspect thas Alexander Walker, q cap
tain OF q militia company, was , IN some Nv way
implicated in the murder of Stevens, and o
warrant was taken out for his arrest A depu-
ty constable was placed on the cars to serve 1t
upon him, as 1t was suspected that he and his
friend MObley would make their way TO Co.
lumba. The suspicion was correct, and they
got into the cars at Hifs Platform. The war
rant was served on Walker just below Fish
Dam. Mobley. ,cpunselled Walker to resist,
but the officer warned them against such q
course, and assured Walker that he came
there to arrest him anu he certainly intended
to do his duty. Walker wisely surrendered, and
was placed on ahand-car to be broughtto Union
On their return, on arriving at Hil's Plat
form. negroes; with their militia guns, were
seen in every direction, running towards the
railroad, and the party on the hand-ear had to
threaten Walker that If they were attacked,
hi@ life was In danger. Walker then told the
negroes not to fire, as he wished to go to
Union under arrest, shut would be With them
thirty replied that II he was not out the next
day they would come up after him. Upon be-
Ing arrested, Walker asked the officer upon
what grounds he was suspected The officer
told him that it was KNOWN that he had or
dered out the squad that killed Mr.: Stevens.
To which Walker replied, II did; what OF it p
Proof can also be produced that June Medley,
(member oil the Legislatnre) promised to
meet the murderers at or; near where the muir
der was committed, aud bring cartridges.
In every part of the county armed squads
OF miiitfa are to be seen, day and night, and II
is dangerous to travet In such state OF
affairs, is 1tturprising, nay, is 1t not natural,
that the white people should be excited!
Up to Wednesday night, no harsh or unkind
treatment had been practiced towards the ne
groes, and every arrest, bad; been made by the
authority OF o proper Official, and in strlct.ac-
cordance with law: The people are only anx-
ious that the guilty parties shall be puntshsd
and they have determined to push the matter
to that end, in. a Lawful manner. But so long
as the militia obstruct Che officers Of the law in
the performance of their duty, by armed resist
ance. the danger, of violence and bloodshed
grows stronger. We see but one hope for the
restoration OF peace now, and security Tor 1t IN
the future, and that Is, Ia the State authorities
calling In the militia guns. II that is done. all
tn, r. 10 yyil1
There is not the least occasion for an armed NIL
litia, particularly when composed OF such cow
ardly indiscreeJ and brutal materials as those
in this 81 ate. The people are becoming tired
of seeing their laborers struttlng around their
premises with guns. and cartridge belts bucki-
ed around their bodies. Scarcely week passes
that we do not hear of one Of those guns be-
in9arawn upon some citizen, upon the slight
est provocation, and often without any cause
at all. This state Of affairs must be stopped,
OF bloody work will ensue; and the people
look to Governor Scott to stop 1t. Let Cover
nor Scott counsel with the oldest and most in
telligent citizens Of the State, instead OF listen
ing TO and acting upon the excited 1a4d Uue
liable statements OF such ignoramuses as MDe-
lev and host of others, who have not the
sense to trace an effect back to its true cause,
but, blinded by ignorance and prejudice can
see no wrong to the State In any act that he
and his party may commit against law and
order. Is! I.6
We forbear extending our remarks upon this
Internal deed, but think 1t our duty to state
that the militia in the lower part Of the county
particularly, are IN very excited condition,
but the white people are prepared and deter
mined to defend themselves, and we hope
more peaceful counsel will prevent the negroes
from committing any more acts Of violence. In
our statement OF this horrid murder, we have
been careful not to say anything that would be
likely to increase the excitement OF The people;
but we cannot refraiu from stating that the
evidence given before the coroner disclosed 1t
TO be one of the most merctless, unproVOked
and fiendish murders ever perDetrated. Mr..
Stevens leaves wife and one child in very
destitute1eircunstances. His kindness OF heart
had, unfortunately. led him to bestow great
portion of his hard earnings upon many poor
around him. leaving his own household, by his
sudden death, unprovided for.
TIE LYNcHING BUSINESS.
On Wednesday night; t;aabont, twelve O'CLOCK,
about fifty disguised armed men suddenly
came into onr, Town and demanded the keys OF
the iail fr6in the sheriff, which was refused
They then arrested the sheriff and put him
under guard, and with axes and other Weap-
ons broke into the jail and took out i've OF the
prisoners who had been placed there under
suspicion ofbeing connected with the murder