The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-05
Three Negroes Executed at
AbbeVille, S. G.
MURDERERS' BLESSINGS.
Conspirators and Assassirs as
Scaffold Exhorters.
A REVOLVING HISTORY.
Plans to Capture Village and Butcher
the Whites.
A REVOLVING HISTORY.
Executions Also in California
and Georgia.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. I

In accordance with the passed upon them on
January 10, 1877. The other seven who were con-
vcted for tho offence had their sentence CON-
muted to Imprisonment tor lifo yesterday Fifteen
hundred persons were present, onefourth OF whom
negroes. No disturbance occurred and tho pro-
seedlings were as orderly religious gathering. The
lay was very cloudy. They assembled the scalold at
eleven Wigntman Allen and Jenkins Whitncr stoutly
declared thor innocence, saying they had no mans
blood on their hands. They blessed all their friends
and cremlcs, thanked the Sheriff. Jones, for his kind
treatment; adding that they iclt they going
heaven, and invoked the blessing OF God on all
present
CALLING Tue SAVIOUR TO WITNESS
john Allen said he in tho hands OF cd and meant
10 toll the truth He called the Saviour to wItpcss
what he said. He fired at Allen, but did not know
whether he hit him no He was cd into It and
d.d net know whether he guilty OF murder Hc
'ad his fac was warning to all not TO be persuaded
into doing evil. He had perfect faith In the 1--we and
mercy OF God and believed he would DO saved. He
blessed the Sheriff and all present
HANGING
Tho adjusted at twenty-seven minutes
past eleven The two Aliens were quiet aud firm,
Whtncr singing and praying. Whtner died twenty
minutes alter the drop fell the others in twenty two
minutes
CIRCUMSTANCES or CRIME.
The following account OF the Tor which the un-
fortunate men above named suffered death will prove
oil ln,ercst:Osbornc Rhodes, light colored muatto.
TO county from Georgia some timc in March,
1876 and entered into the service Of Dr.. A. J. Speer
with whom no renamed Tor several months. Finding
hun 10 be Of rowing, turbulent disposition, which
kept him at variance with his fellow laborcrs and
others of the neshborhood, his employer determined
TO dismiss him, which he did on December 4, after
some disagreement to the amour. Of wagos due
aure ter ms nj SET In
with Spcer and alter pay ment Of the amount agreed
uron Rhodes again became dissatisfied and behaved in
such threatening manner that Spcor obtained peace
warrant from tho nearest trial justice, and Rhodes
was arrested by constable, taken before the justice
and required to give bond preserve the peace. In
consequence OF his known bad character however, he
failed obtain tho necessary surecs in default
Of bond committed to the "ca1aboose OF Lowndcs
vile Tor the night tho Jallor intending him to
Abbevc Jail on the following day. During the day
Of his confinement Id tho caaboose Rhodes was VS.
tied several times by friends Of has own color VIII
assured him Tho would be released This as.
surance was unknown to q Mr.. Pritchard, who
had also visited the prisoner, and had agree
ment with him the effect that he would be taken
out Of the caaboosc and put ACROSS the Savannah
River, upon condition that he would Georgia
and never return to this county, this understanding
being entered into the means Of Kidding tho
community his presence and at the same time saw.
ing the prisoner IRON certain and hope ncarcera
ton in jail for indefinite PERIOD consequence of
his triendlessncss and inability secure acceptable
bail In pursuance Of this agreement Mr. Pritchard
accompanied by Theodore Baker and Clayton Allen,
went the caaboose about o'clock that night to
lake charge Of the prisoner and escort him to the
county line-the river. Pritchard unlocked the
door, and ono Of the party proceeded
Ing This precautionary measure Rhodes resisted
and shouted "Murder" until Pritchard made his
presence known, when Rhodes, finding that vIo-
lence was intended, consented without further hest
tatIon to accompany Allen and Baker condition
that should be ted The prisoner declined TO
the horse provided for him, as, he said no pre-
fcrred to walk, and the three left the calaboose ut
sharp pace guards urging their prisoner TO run 90
they desired 10 get out OF the village as pos
sUe ami before Inc threats Of rescue which had
loudly INDUCED IN by the negroes throughout the
afternoon, could be carried into execution Whatever
bearing IL any, the iact may DO considered have on
he Subsequent events OF the night remarked
here that Prcnard and his companions appear 10
bavc acted wholly on their responsibility or at
least without authority oil the officers Of the village in
ner contemplated. But however this may be regarded
They were not permitted to carry out their sel-m-
posed duly as me anticipated Rescue was successfully
accomplished, III Il manner which resulted the death
OF one u The party before they had gone quarter of
mile.
KILLING
The two horscmen were riding abreast, with Rhodes
on foot between them, when as they approached the
Presby terrain Church. Baker noced that a number OF
Negroes had assembled the In their front and
among the trees their lett their presence y
detected in moonlight. immediately aitcfward y
voice heard giving the command, ssStand your
ground, boys!'' Another voice exclaimed don't
frei Then shot was heard, which was followed
instantly by voiey, and Alton Tell IRON his horse
pierced by Two mnsket balls, OF which penetrated
his heart aud the other his brain, OF killing him
Instantly. Baker was slightly wounded In the neck,
but as he wheeled his horse 10 fee tho frightened
ma. became Interchangeable, ana, throwing his
OH leaving him 10 effect his tsca Is on oe'
which be succeeded In doing, though follow od
for some distance by The negroes The rcsculng party
fed in turn upon asccrtanng the fact OF the fatal
suit Of their tre taking with them tho man.
who had Joined them at tho first voey
ALARM
The wounded man gave the alarm TO citi-
zcns, who uad been by tho OF the fire.
arms The spread rapidly and all at once
confusion ana excitement Ignorance Of tho number
and designs oil the assaians contributed 10 increase
the genera! apprehension and preparations were hur
rcdiy made 10 resist attack while courlcrs do
spatched IN every direction TO arouse the
county and summon assistance Armed men
soon organized and started In pursuit OF the futvcs
Reports received tha, tho country roads .wcre
pickecd by bands of armed ncgrocs and each party OF
lursuers moved with all The care and prccauion At
tchdani upon guerilla warfare IN eDefny's country,
where every thickct might be supposed TO conceal "a
deadly loc No capture was cicce ed during The night,
and tho next day II became known that tho negroes
had assembled 10 the number OF about four hundred,
a wen armed, and all loud In their expressions OF
determination 10 resist any aitompt inr liberty oil
the fusiiives who had taken refuge in their ranks
THE ARRESTS.
Tho whites had meantime collected together about
an equal FORCE likewise fully prepared for conflict
equay determined upon capture, and the prospect OF
q battle Tor whilo seemed imminent Fortunately,
this undesirable termination tho affair was avcried
by wiser counsel prevailing on both Sides and during
the Day several suspected parties were arrested
proper warrants and held Tor examination Ono OF these
Eli Hunter, confessed 10 mis- share the events Of tho
night before, ana gave the names Of others concerned
10 The number OF sixteen in ALL and these wcrc like.
wise speedily arrested and placed In confinement.
Their names are as follows ilam Cozby, Peter
Cozhy, Pam Cozby, Edward Prince Edwin Prince !.
Giibcrt Burton Eli Hunter, Capers Alien, Asbury
Allen, Wightman Allen. John Allen, Jnk Whlncr
William johnson, Hut Cozby, Henry Burton and ohm
Burton several OF these also made full and volun-
Larry confessions they were arrested, Icuv.
Ing no doubt as TO the quit Of nearly all tho parties
above named, aud dvLlgng Tor the first limo tho ct
that extended conspiracy had been organized with
the worst designs IN WOW, and the ol which
had only been prevented ny the escape OF Baker and
the vigilance oil the white people. IL these COMICS
sons wcrc to be credited the negroes had, on he
night Of the murder, actually assembled ,ogctncr