Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-05-25

through the Chairman OF the Board OF COun-
ty Commissioners.
In conclusion, desire to say, with all due
respect to the Grand Jury, whose motives l
do not question. that am not accountable to
them, but to the Court, for my acts as guar.
dian, and I am ready at any and all times to
render an account of my stewardship; but I
demand for myself and my wards that we
may be fully heard before judgment is pro-
nounced against us.
j. H. WHITE, Guardian.
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.
CHESTER, S. c., May %.
On last Monday, Amelia johnson, colored,
appeared at the office of Trial Justice Sanders,
and made complaint to him of Maggie Wright,
also colored, who, she alleged, had committed
an assault and battery upon her. The Trial
Justice, after hearing Amelia's story, told her
that he would give the matter some consider
alton before issuing warrant for the arrest
of Maggie She then sought the office of Mr..
S. j. Couch, attorney at law, for the purpose
of fgetting the benefit of his advice Very soon
Moses Wright, Maggie's husband, arrived,
and after acquainting the Trial Justice with
the leading facts of the disturbance, asked for
the arrest of Amelia johnson on the ground
of her having assaulted his wife, Maggie
Wright, with knife with intent to kill. The
warrant for Amelia's arrest was issued and
executed without delay. Witnesses to the
slight misunderstanding were Immediately
and a preliminary examination
was held by the Trial Justice on Monday af-
ternoon. From the testimony, it appeared
that the act charged in the warrant occurred
on the previous Saturday evening, on the re.
turn of the parties from attendance upon a
prayer meeting in the neighborhood and it
further appeared that it was occasioned by
the instigation of "the green-eyed monster"
jealousy. Maggie having charged Amelia
with securing improperly the affections of her
husband, they came to blows, and as the re-
suit proved, a long and bloody encountre en-
sued between the belligerent females Amelia
having knife in her possession, used it very
freely upon the person Of her antagonist.
They were finally separated by friends. but
not until Maggie had received several wounds,
one of which, being in the back, is particu-
larly dangerous and may prove mortal
Amelia was confined in Jail to await the con.
of the wounds inflicted by her.. The
physician in attendance upon the unfortunate
woman who is so fearfully cut, pronounces her
in an extremely critical condition. If the ef-
feet of the wounds is fatal, another opportuni-
ty may be given to the people of this county
to behold a human being take the fearful leap
into eternity from the gallows. And they
will doubtless avail themselves of the op-
portunity, if presented, for the tremendous
crowd present at the execution of Stephen
Younge in January, justi6es me in the asser-
ton that hanging possesses an attraction for
The peopleof Chester eeuntJ'tf,a nothing else
can claim. AS upon the past occasion, several
thousands of curious individuals would gaze
with enjoyment upon the harrow
ing sight. ....
On Tuesday afternoon the heavens were
overcast with dark cloud, which promised
to pour every moment the refreshing shower
upon the thirsty earth. But the cloud passed
over, and the rain did not descend. The in
creased quantity of corn that is planted this
year will require greater amount Of rain.
One farmer tells me that he has planted three
acres Of corn to one Of cotton. Whether this
is the ratio of the two crops throughout the
county is more than can say. But there is
no doubt of the fact that the quantity of fcorn
planted this year far exceeds that of last
year, or probably of any year since the close
IF the war. If farmers are only blessed with
good seasons-the early and the latter rain
Dur county will, in few months, be bounti-
fully supplied with the main staple of life,
and the cry for bread will no longer be heard
IN the land. In some places throughout the
county a great scarcity of provisions prevails,
specially among the colored population. In
of their extreme poverty, they
nave not been able to embark upon agricul-
;ural enterprises on their own account to such
IN extent as formerly, and in some instances
IN abandonment of such enterprises has been
The dire result of the same unhappy cause.
At an early hour on Friday morning our
,uiet town was awakened from its slumbers
~ the alarm of fire. The Stonewall Fire
Engine Company promptly fastened to the
'cene Of conAagration, which proved to be
he blacksmith shop in the rear of the car.
'iage establishment belonging to Mr.. W. A.
Gaines and located on Gadsden, generally
Known as Depot street. The 6remen soon
discovered the impossibility of saving the
burning building, and at once directed their
Efforts towards preventing the communication
If the fire to the adjacent buildings. In this
they entirely succeeded. The
'oofs of the carriage establishment and the
Aiken residence were well sprinkled with wa
er, and scaled as they had been by fremen
o prevent the ignition Of falling embers,
hese buildings were saved. and the flames
confined to the blacksmith shop. The loss is
lot very heavy, upon which there is no insu-
ance. Mr.. Gaines may thank his good for
une in not having sustained a greater loss.
Had there been wind at the time, the conse-
]uences of the fire might have been sadly
Iiferent. The fremen met with calamity
II the bursting of their hose, but fortunately
made no material difference, as at the time
# its occurrence the danger had passed. The
rigin of the fire was probably accidental,
hough some entertain different opinion.
Friday was a lovely day for picnic, and
or this purpose it was used by the members
f the Presbyterian Sunday School at this
'lace The gay party took their departure
n wagons for the scene Of festivity, Douglas
Mill Pond, where they arrived in the course
f about an hour. Arriving at their destina-
ion, they Immediately entered upon the en-
oyment of the cool shades of the tall oaks
hat adorn that delightful retreat. The day
vas happily spent, in the various ways known
o the festive picnicers. A prominent fea-
ure of the picnic was the enjoyment Of the
weet music, both vocal and instrumental, dis
oursed by portion of the string. band from
ur town. Upon the arrival of the hour for
Inner, baskets were relieved Of their deli