The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-08-09

1u the days OF which we are writing
the laws OF South Caroline were exceed
ingly severe, aud were generally enfor-
ced to their. fullest extent. Thestealing
OF slave was sthen considered to be
one of the most criminal of offcnses and
was punished with hanging: About this
time there came to Orangeburg Span
lard 10y the name Of La Grew. Said La
Crew was Of a wild, rowing disposition,
and addicted to frequent drinking, He
formed an intimacy while here with nc.
gro homed Edmund, belonging 60 Thom
ms Cross, an intimacy which afterwards
cost LA Crew his life. He was charg.
ed with attempting 10 steal this Edmund
and sufficient proof having been found
against him he was tried, convicted and
sentenced to be. hung Popular feeling
ran high in his fl vor, and it may be re-
membered by some now living how up
to the very last La Crew protested his
innocence, and declared that the time
would soon come when they would find
that he spoke truly. In corroboration
of this statement in after years, it is
said that Edmund upon his death bed
called his master to him and there told
him of the conspiracy that had been
formed against the unfortunate La Crew
The facts OF the case as he is supposed
to have told them are as follows:
1t seemed that LaCrcw in some way
had Incurred the anger and Jealousy Of
two prominent characters OF the village,
aud they determined 20 rid themselves
of his presence. They hired this
Edmund to 90 to LaCrew and tell him
that there was II person across the rivcr,
who wanted to sec him on such nigh;
ut certain hour, and oiiey to conduct
him thither. They then, acting out the
other part of the plot, informed the
authorities that they bad heard that on
Il certain night, banning the one, LaCrew
was going with Edmund on foot TO
Charleston where he was to sell him
and divide the profits. The authorities
Set watch. The night having arrived
the unsuSpicious La Crew set out wit.
Edmund for the purpose of having an in
terview with this person, as he supposed,
but in fact walking right into the very
trap that had been set for him. They
were cveriakcn just this side of Tic river
bridge and La Crew being found in the
company of Edmund was sufficient proof
Of Iris being guilty Of stealing n slave,
never mind how much he protested to
the contrary. He. was br",t. Int back,
tried for his life, apd condemned to DC
:.ung. iT'is.J is the story it is said
Edmund told his master, and it may be
remembered by some oil tho Oldest, citi
zcns of Orangeburg who were present
mt tho hanging, how upon the gnllows
La Crow himself declared he WIS the
victim Of a conspiracy, Bat circumst.
antial evidence was strong against him,
and, whether guilty or not, the uarlortp,.
ato man was coudcmncd to sufEcr death
by l,unging.
The day Of she execution having ar
rived La Crew was brought out OF the
jail n7d placed in " cart sitting upon his
coffin. All the way to the g;rlloss he
kept talking necessarily saying lie would
die chGerfully if only allowed his freed
ON long cnoug to k II his two enemies
who, had been his bitterest accusers.
He b,ggr6 one Of the men, wIto was
serving as MARSHAL, to give him ii sword
unl set him free for only two minutes.
ON arriving ab the spot, ,,t old field
down near the banks uf ,hc EIisto, he
WAS taken cut and placed upon the
/ gallows.- Ths consisted Of TIVE ronJE
posts standing soiEe six feet aTtrt, with
"a branr at tho top cxtcllins across, to
which aropc was attlcael. The pl.aI
upon which the doon4ed man stood WIS
daced upon brackets nailed to each
post. On being asked if he had any
thing to say he replied:" Yes, there are
two men standing in this crowd WIN
know thrt am innocent. Though they
may exult now in their hearts over my
downfall, yet the time is coming when a
worse fate than mine will overtake them.
TO one of them, Mr.-- l wish to
say this: You sir will be vagabond
upon the face of the earth, Stunned of
men, and dctcsted by all who know you
70 the other: You sir will die the death
of dog, and the buzzards will pick