The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-04-11
Dne West..RIot at Wimbushviile-.
Resistance of Hampton's Author.
the Pricks.

NuC AlSArs
The quiet town of Due West was
thrown into q state of unwonted eX-
citement last Wednesday by the out
,ageOus behavior of the negroes Of its
suburban village, Wimbushville. Tri-
al Justice Young, holding office under
Hampton. had issued a search-warrant
di,ec,ed against several cabins in tina,
African metropolis. The reasons
therefor are the following:
A good many robbers of meat-hous-
es and ]corncribs had occurred recent
", aud all about The same time, and
there were indications that III organ
lied gang of marauders were conduct
ing their midnight raids with some
ono ert Of action. Suspicious circum-
Stances pointed towards m of the
moe prominent sable citizens Of VIM
hushville, but for some time no relia-
ble clue could be laid hold of. On
sunday a week ago. an anonymous
letter was found in the Due West post
office. 1t was. evidently the hand
writing Of q negro, and Of a negro TO"
that was determined to go ''behind the
relurms." 1t gave information on
corning the d~epredators, and gave the
lpllD" III - wv U vi wv ~
pal.ies. Cyrus Wimbush, Jesse VIM
rush, Ned Winbush. Ben johnson
and Wilson CQwan. The information
thus mysterioGsly furnished confirm
ed suspicious already entertained, and
Trial Justice Young sent a posse of
five deputies to Wilnbushville with a
search warrant. They found Cyrus
WimLush at the door of his home and
told him their business. Cyrus very
politely said, "All right gentlemen"
and walked into his house, and pres
emily came out with two pistols belted
around him and n in his hand. He
b. gan to curse and to swear, f1ourished
his pistol and dared the authority Of
a Trial Justice of Hampton's making.
The women of his household opened
their foul mouths and fired volleys of
the most blasphemous oaths at the
deputies. Cyrus insolence waxed ag-
gressive. He pointed his pistol at Mr..
James Todd. The latter seized Cy by
the throat and nearly choked him.
AS soon as Todd's fingers relaxed
their grasp, the negro raised a yell
that summoned all the inhabitants of
Wimbushville to come and help him.
The proximity of a number Of negroes
engaged in raising a church was the
secret Of Cy's bravery. There. ..came
at once forty negroes and surrounded
the small body of deputies. Embold-
ened by the timely reinforcement, Cy-
rus and Jesse Wimbush behaved in
the most insulting manner towards
the deputies !; and the black viragos
belabOred them with stout clubs and
severely injured one or two Of them.
Mr.. Harknes. received some cruel
blows. Against so many armed and
Infatuated degrees the young men
were rowerless. They knew their
lives were in danger. and though they
were determined t sell them dear,
they nrudently resolved not to take
the in: alive and fire the first shot.
Fortunately they were able after a
while to withdraw !rCm Wimbushville
and return to Due West. Next day
Cyrus aud Jesse, flushed with victory.
and sccomran'ed 10y their wives.
marched bo.uly through Due We t in.
solent!y exhibiting pistols strapped on
their pc . )ns and cu'sinY at and de-
flying HamplOn's authority.
Why they were not arrested thsn
we cannot understand. Some wished
to arrest them; but The advice OF HE
older and more rn sci waive heads
was =, wait unit! Tre-dn>. mt what
res y, we nrno ,ii Et"i -n',"-
day t'':i i. ~. "'''
Wa,'an' 49,.
teen well 90 4. ,n... :..,". 49,.
went to Wimbushville, but the ring
leaders Cyrus and Jesse, were not to be