The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-03-09
How tho Hampton shoritfs Enforce the Law.

GREEN PoNp, March 1.-THE Radical negroes
on the Combahce, have again opeuly dcGed the
law. The readers of the JOUrRdi Of Commerce
will remember that the store Of Shafcr& 4 Ferry,
at Naltcrboru, entered by burglars last
week and robbed of almost the entire contents
The thieves captured u wagon load of groceries
and were tracked to some distance from the town
The parties robbed were Chamberlain officials,
Radical-Sherif and Deputy of last year-and
II was party Of their constituents who robbed
them. When the rice plantation riots took place
last fall, these gentry played powcrless to check
them.
But now things have changed, Hampton is
Governor of the State, they are the losers and
they at once appealed to Sheriff Black Dem0-
crat, for the arrest Of the thieves. Warrants
were issued by one of the justices appointed by
Governor Hampton. i posse of ten men was
sworn in by the Sheriff, and the thieves were
followed. Several of the thieves (an organized
gang)were arrested, but some of hem announced
that they only recognized Chamberlain their
master, and that they would not submit to ar
rest. The posse overlook the thief and his SUP
portcrs near Blue House, but the Chamberlain
supporters ounumbcrcd the SherIrs posse, and
the latter retired after having been fired upon
by the thieves.
The negroes soon gathered in full force as thcy
hid during the rice field riots and swore that
the ihlcf should not be arrested This thing WAS
managed by an officer Of the law, however and
the result was quite different from the csuIt in
the rice field riots, when Chamberlain was Gov
cnOr OF the State. The Sheriff sent out couricrs
III every direction to summon posse, and to-
day about three Hundred well armed white men
responded TO his summons. They gathered near
Whitehall, Mt Calf Pen, and announced them
solves rs being ready to obey orders.
The neg, oes to the number of about eight
hundred had assembled at the same place The
women were armed with hoes. rice hooks and
rakes, and the men with State rifles The
wlhtss, who constituted the ShcriHs posse, COLI
sisted OF Captain Elliott's militia company, from
Combahec, and detachment of armed citizens,
under MIR. Fishburnc, frsm Waltcrboro. Shcr-
Ill Black had command of the posse The ne
Droes who protected the thieves, were formed in
G on the opposite side of the railroad track.
ssid for II while things looked threatening.
The Sheriff did not mincc matters lie or |
dered his posse to diSmount and charge the riot
crs. They obcyed the order and went in to cap
ture the thieves, The negro rioters broke and |
run ut once, without firing Il shot. Even the !
women threw down their weapons and busted |
Abut fifteen or twenty of the thieves were cap.
tured, disarmcd and sent to Walterboro The !
Sherit and his posse following the balance |
OF the rioters. No blood was shed
3eThc gang of thieves who have been arrested |
arc evidently the same crowd who burned and |
robbed the two stores Of Mr. J. B. Bissc dur
ing the last two months. Thisi rendered GER
tam oy the fact that some of the goods stolen |
from Mr.. BisselPs store were found in the pos
session of the thieves who were captured Jour.
Of Commerce.