Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-11-01
A REIGN OF TERROR IN SOUTH
CAROLINA.

A REIGN OF TERROR IN SOUTH
-a'o CAROLINA.
Hunters are COnducted-A SpecI.
men Arrest-DisasfrOus Effect ON
the Community "A
of the Negro-A Gloomy Picture.
From the Columbia Phoenix. Oct. "a
We call attention TO the following ex-
tract from the letter Of citizen OF
Yorkyille, addressed to a gentleman OF
this city. The writer is a gentleman of
the highest character His letter will
give some idea of the scenes enacting
in York. Nor will our readers fail TO
appreciate the indignant emotions
eyinced by this writer, whom we know to
be quiet, law-abiding man:
YoRKvILLE. S. c., October q. 1871.
Although feel secure in my own in
nocence Of any completely in the causes
which have been made the pretext for
the infamous proceedings inaugurated
here by party in power, yet | cannot
but be shocked, and feel uneasiness, at
the total overthrow Of all my preconcep.
tions of Republicanism, freedom and
law. Indeed, no stranger to our com
munity could remain here unaffected by
the prevailing gloom and sense OF inse-
ourity, Every bulwark of civil protec-
ton seems levelled, and personal liberty
appears now TO depend entirely upon
the absence Of malice on the part of the
ignorant and depraved. No warrants
are issued, no charges specified, no au-
thority exhibited; a soldier under arms,
sometimes commissioned or non-com-
missloned officer, sometimes merely a
private, presents himself and orders
march to Jail. Arrived there, the priso-
ner is searched, and then locked up in
cell aud told that he can have no source
Of amusement TO while away the time. as
he is placed there for punishment and
not for pleasure. In some cases little
consideration has been shown, such as
time TO take leave of wife and children,
when convenient; in many others, the
summary process is most scrupu.
lously adhered TO,
A case Of this kind took place in town
to-day, which illustrates well the
changes and variety of untried being we
must pass. A Mr.. Mitchell, highly es-
teemed as straightforward, upright
man by all who know him, came to town
last night to attend Masonic meeting.
This morning, while standing in a store,
he was arrested by a common soldier,
who, after cooking his musket and put.
ting on fresh cap. ordered him to hold
up his hands, aud told negro to search
his pockets and disarm him. This being
done, the doughty soldier, with his sable
assistant carried the prisoner to Jail.
What adds poignancy to this shameful
indignity, is the fact that the black ras-
cal who took part in it is strongly sus-
pected of having been one Of Rose
gang Of barn-burners. There are now
some thirty-two or three in Jail, but this
number will, doubtless, be largely in
creased by morning, as nearly all OF the
cavalry companies are ranging over the
county, and night arrests seem to be in
special favor
All this is bad enough, God knows,
but there are consequent evils to be APP
pretended which dwarf it into petty
annoyance. The county is being de-
populated. Numbers Of farmers and
other citizens, innocent as well as guilty,
appalled, at the prospect Of long incar-
ceration, packed jury, an unscrupu-
lous judge, and ready host of accusing
witnesses, eager to swear according to
instructions, for " two dollars day and
expenses paid" have left homes and
families just as the threatened danger
found them. The matured crops are
but half gathered, and the unprotected
farms stand as tempting bats for the
idle negro. 1t will not be long before
larceny, arson and outrage Of every
sort will be committed throughout this
helpless section. Already the signs Of
exultation are shown on the faces of the
negroes-the town is daily filled with
them-many coming to sell their con-
cocted tales of Ku-Klux injuries, or to
seize the chance of easy vengeance upon
those whom they dislike. This very
afternoon my friend - was subjected
to annoyanees Of this kind.
About a month ago, he informed q
worthless negro tenant on his mothers
farm that he must make other arrange
ments for next year. To day the rascal
came to town to report him as "a Ku-
Klux and a friend TO Ku-Klux." Know
ing Mrs. - was in town, he actually
rode up here to brag to Mrs. -, his |
wife, about what he had done. Fortu. |
nately, his tale was SO ridiculous and SO
badly told that it was rejected at head |
quarters. This is straw, bu, it shows |
the drift of negro feeling. IL is needless
to add that ali business and industry are |
Through all this. A. S. Wal |
lace, directing and controlling spirit OIL
this scheme of Infamous outrage, remains
in our midst He daily airs himself upon
our streets, here in the very heat of mur-
der and conspiracy, as he calls It, and |
gloats over the verificatiou of his pro,
phetic threat that Z" he would vet have
this people beneath his heel."
tea,b 70 tbs roo,s S,P "'''i' : s''"u my
- - - 80
shANkfuL CONDUIT OF FEDERAL OFFICERS.
From the camden JonrnalI
!, IN opaftanspqrg we are informed that
me jan is SO MI OIL so-eaued hu-hi9x
mat many are canped OUTSIDE under
guard IN ork we are told that all the
roaus ieadihg 70 the courthouse are
plcketed Dy soldiers, ana any one at
leWpunE 10 pass tltheT way - arrested, i