The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-07-11
Riot. Assault and Attempt to Kill.
SICK CHAMBER OF A DYING WOMAN DIsRE
GARDED.

On Sunday, 23d June, one James Malo,
ney, who is reputed to be Assistant United
States Marshal, accompanied by Peter Sim
mons, Ia black niger Oscar Cannon, cop
per-colored, Ga penitentiary bird,) and Will
lis johnson, (''yaller nigger," went to my
store at Cross Roads, and ordered a lad,
Master Wells Who slept in the store with my
son, fourteen year old boy, into the store,
stating that he should shnt himself in, and II
he came out, that the guard that he (Malo-
new was going to place around the store
would shoot him. Mr.. Smith, who was pay
ing visit to Mr.. Wells, was then rudely as
saulted, and ordered to march to my dwell
ING house, about half mile from the store,
each of the cowardly fellows single-f filing
behind him as close as they could walk, lock
STEP Smiths life was threatened and he
was assured that if he made any noise what
ever, he would be shot About half way be-
tween the store and dwelling, my son. going
from supper to the store (where he and mas
ter Wells slept,) was pounccd upon by two
big niggers, his arms held behind him whilst
Maloney stood in front of him with a pistol
presented at his breast, swearing that he
would.shoot him through. After he had kept
the boy in this position till after the coward
ly, tormenting, evil spirit was satisfied, they
turned him loose, telling him to keep i'll the
path to the store, and if he turned to the
right or left he would be shot by mon station
ed in the woods for that purpose.
The file being re-arranged as before, with
Smith being forced to lead, the night being
dark, and the foliage of the oaks being very
dense, they came into my yard near the piaz-
"a. where Tr. Sohn j. Barre, Mr.. d. NJ.
Ward, Mr.. I. 7. Perry and myself were sit
ting-(my wife was in her room at the point
of death, having been quite i'll for some time)
and they shouted, to our surprise: "Shoot
every id rascal that comes out Of the
house: Shoot! Shootw l did not know
what it meant Robbers, Lowery's gang,
everything fitted across my brain. The
shouting, shooting, all, ALL what does itmcan!
1 advanced to meet them at the steps: Perry
was with me; Barre and Ward jumped into
the yard Barre received severe wound;
several attempts Sere made to shoot Ward,
but failed. The alarm to my wife was so
sudden, and when Barre said II am shot"
she thought it was the voice of our eldest
son, and became so frightened that her re-
coyery is now hopeless.
As soon as I could, I ascertained what
was the matter. Maloncy said he had a
warrant for the arrest of Ward whom he had
failed to arrest. What Ward was charged
with he did not make known. Said he had
had warrant for Perry. Perry said ';if you
have, am ready to 60 with YOU" But he
(Maloney,) apologizcd to Barre; said Il
am very sorry that you got shot, but have
warrant for you, although it is Of little inl-
portancc; some negro has charge against
you; you can stay here with MIR. Blcase,
and if you get well, report to me at your con-
vcnieLco" I told my son to go quickly for
a physician, that Barre would bleed to death.
AS he started off, niger drew down on
him with pistol, saying; ''Ifyou leabo de
house, will shoot you" None Of us were
armed, but were enjoying the quietness of
the holy Sabbath evening, and awaiting anx-
iously on her who appeared almost done with
the things of this world, when we were poun-
ced upon by these fcnds, who pretended to
represent the officers of America. l know
nothing Of tho officials of tho county, never
having taken any part, whatever in politics;
having all my life pursued my peaceful avo-
cation of farmer, artisan and merchant; but,
if these be their representatives, "God save
the country"
Tuos. w. BLEAsE.