The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-09-30
The Situation in Lanrens.

Desiring to know the true state of af-
fairs in Laurens, we paid visit to our
old home on Saturday last We found
some little excitement existing, but not
the amount which we had been led to ex-
pect Crews funeral took place on
Thursday, the 10th, and was attended by
some two or three hundred negroes and
few whites. The negroes formed
long procession and marched to the grave,
but there was no unusual demonstration.
Various rumors are in circulation in re-
gard to his deathbed conversations, but
it appears that for some time previous to
bis death he was under the influence of
opiates, and in an unconscious state
From what we could learn, it is not
known who he suspected of having done
the deed, one rumor having it that he
said he was killed on account of the Shell
murder; and another, that he thought
that an ex-oficial radical had instigated
or perpetrated the deed. 1t may be how
ever, that the fatal shot was fired by some
one who had long submitted to oppres-
sion, and who thought it was better to
"hy to evils he knew not of, than to SUBJ
nit to those that were." We found q
very proper feeling among all classes,
and was glad to see that there was no
probability of any unnecessary excite
ment or disturbance. The whites are
not exultant, but on the contrary deeply
deplore the truly unfortunate situation in
which the county has been placed for the
past ten years. They feel that they have
been borne along by circumstances over
which they have had no control, and the
codnty having been under the absolute
cor troll of Joe Crews for such length of
time, they were beginning to despair of
ever seeing better day. The people Of
Laurens are very conservative in spirit,
but are not hypocrites, and do not hesi-
tate to say that while they deplore the
circumstances, and the situation which
made such deed possible, still, no mat
ter by whom it was done, they can but
feel that great burden has been lifted
from them, and that there is some hope
for the county in future.
Capt. G. w. Shell and his son Walter
have been arrested and imprisoned, the
warrant having been sworn out by one
Canton, detective from Columbia. We
visited Capt. Shell and son, and found
them in good health and spirits, and as
comfortable as circr1 instances would per-
nit. Capt. Shell does not hesitate to as
sure all of his friends of his innocence,
but also of his safety; and has con-
cluded to remain in Jail until Court
sits at Laurens, at which time his case
will be brought before the Grand Jury.
There can be no evidence upon which to
base his arrest, except the suspicion
which naturally follows him as the
brother of Dr. Shell. The murderers of
DR.. Shell have not yet been arrested and
brought to trial, but doubtless will be as
soon as possible. Laurens has expert
enced ten years of sorrow and trouble and
oppression, unequalled by anything in
history. The United States Government
is primarily responsible, for it created
the State government which gave and
supported Crews in the use and abuse of
the power which he had. Every right
thinking man would have preferred to
see the change come in different way,
and effort after effort has been made, but
it seems that "man proposes and God
disposes." Let come what will, the peo-
pie of Laurens have proven themselves
to be "patient and long suffering peo-
pie. e."-Spartanburq Spartan.