Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-01-21

or favor
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.
CHESTER, January 18, 1878.
Mr.. Felix Whitlock, who was in town a
few days ago, gave me an account OF an un-
fortunate affair, which, asan humble chron-
icler of the news, I will briefly speak. Mr..
Whitlock lives near Halsellville, in the lower
portion of this county, and the occurrence took
place not great way from his residence, In
the limits Of Fairfield. The main facts are
as follows:
At the place of the disturbance, which oc-
Cured about ten days ago, is store kept by
son of Mr.. Whitlock. On the evening
of the occurrence, this young man received
an invitation to take tea at a neighbor's house,
which he accepted, and was, consequently, ab-
sent from his store several hours. After EN-
ioying, for time, the hospitality OF his
friend, Mr.. Whitlock returned to his store, to
find that the building had been entered, the
money.drawer broken open, and consldera-
bile amount of cash taken therefrom. How
ever, stealing, like murder, will out in the vast
majority of cases. In short time, some one
came into the store and asked Mr.. Whitlock
to change bill, which, he recognized at once
to be a torn and patched bill which had been
living in his drawer for considerable while.
Finding that colored man, by the name of
81
Hawkins, had passed the bill, he went, with
out delay, to trial justice made statement
of the facts, and obtained warrant for the
arrest of the thief Hearing that Hawkins
was at negro house, near by, in company
with friend, he went to the place, found him
and informed him that he had warrant for
his arrest A considerable number of negroes
then surrounded Whtlock, and manifested an
inclination to prevent the arrest of Hawkins,
when the latter leaped out of window OF the
house and made his escape The escape
proved only temporary, for he was soon dis
covered, by his pursuers, in another negro
house. Hawkins was again called upon to
surrender and submit to arrest, but instead
of doing so, he seized club and was on the
point of dealing Whitock blow, when the
latter drew pistol and fired upon his assail-
ant He fell severely wounded, when Whit
lock, in company with his friend, walked back
to the store, which they securely fastened, and
then began the immediate loading of all the
shooting irons which they could find in the es-
tablishment, as crowd Of negroes, intending
violence, was momentarily expected. This
expectation was soon realized in the collection
of enraged negroes near the store. But they
were prevented from attempting to carry into
effect their murderous intention, by the arrl-
val of number of white men, who had heard
of the shooting, and gathered at the store.
At one time, indications favored a regular en-
gagement between the whites and blacks; but
wiser counsels prevailed, and the negroes were
finally induced to 60 to their homes with the
understanding that Mr.. Whitlock would sur
render himself to the proper officer and give
bond for his appearance and trial at court.
This he has done. No blame is attached to
Mr.. Whitlock by the community in which he
lives, for the result of the unfortunate affair.
The recovery of Hawkins from his wound is
most likely, if not certain.
The annual meeting Of the stockholders of
the National Bank of Chester was held on
Tuesday last. Ihave been told that the meet
ing was very harmonious and agreeable Af-
ter the meeting, refreshments were in readi-
ness, which were greatly enjoyed by the stock
holders and their friends. The flow of spirits
added considerably to the flow of soul on the
happy occasion. The declaration Of divi-
dend six per cent. during the past six
months, indicates the Aourishing condition of
the National Bank of Chester. The same d.
rectors and officers were reelected to preside
for another year over the destinies of this ex-
cellent institution.
In accordance with the instructions of
Judge r. j. Mackey at the late sitting of our
court, bench warrants have been issued against
Dublin Walker, late school commissioner,
and Ben Michael, Julius Stevenson and Hen.
ry Blake, late school trustees, for malfeasance
in office, and the same have given bond for
their appearance for trial at the April term of
the Court The accused are all colored, and
are charged with issuing fraudulent school
claims. AS they are prominent Republican
politicians some curiosity is felt to know the
part the presiding Judge and counsel for the
State will play in the case. If the case is
stricken from the docket, and the accused al
lowed to 20 scot-free, without trial, it will be
for the reason that party welfare is to be Sc
cured at the expense of the public good. And
the people will know that the era for reform
and good government is not so near as some
would suppose, and others have promised.
Two or three days since, two colored men
of our town, whose names have slipped my
memory, engaged in fight, which resulted in
one receiving dangerous wound, inflicted by
knife. The unfortunate man is still living,
but may at any moment take his departure
for the spirit land. And then another MUIR
der to be added to the long list Of Southern
outrages! Possibly another Sheridan may
come down, ere long, on this offending COM
munity like the wolf on the fold And then
look out for another batch f-misstatements.
Mr.. A. Hasseltine President Of the Ches-
ter and Cheraw Narrow Gauge Railroad Com
pany, was in our town on Friday. He says
that the road from Chester to Lancaster will
be graded bridges built, and all things in
readiness for laying the track by the 1st Of
August. This will be hailed as good news by