The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-09-28
UNION C. H., SOUTH CAROLINA SEPTEMBER %, 1877.

f VA s"o "hop, they cut ana prepared the
rope, and then moved on to the jail.
Arriving there, they, with guns at the
head OF the jailcr, ordered him to unlock
the doors, saying that they were bound Il
nave the men, and resistance on his part
would be useless. After another protest
which was met with threats, he unlocked
the doors. The moment this was done
about thirty men rushed inside, and light,
ing candles which they had with them
rushed into the cells occupied by the men
whom they wished, ordering them to &c,
up and dress. The men seemed fully to
realize their condition, and prepared to NEE,
their fate with that stoical Indifference
which characterized their conduct from the
first Old Jim Simmons, the leader, re.
ceived the summons without word or sign
OF displeasure. Sam Goodrich, while being
tied by his captors, asked permission to
give his money. to the jailer, to deliver to
his mother, which privilege was allowed
him, with the injunction that he be quick
about it. He handed over S43 to the taller,
and then turning to the mob gave himself
again into their hands Joe Goodrich,
with the exclamation, "Oh, Lordy they've
got us p allowed himself to be bound
Bob Goodrich, who was generally counted
the worst of the lot, at least in point of
cruelty, asked his captors to grant him time
to pray. The reply was: "You didn't
give Oman time to pray You can't have
time now yourself" His hands were quick
ly tied, the rope, ready tied, was thrown
over his head, and he was forced from the
cell. 1t will be remembered that Shuck, in
his confession, AYERS that Bob was one of
the crowd that drowned John Oman in the
Kentucky River, after shooting him through
the arm, and that he refused to allow Oman
time to pray.
All this scene occupied but few seconds,
so thoroughly was the work of the mob
Planned and executed The leader, a large
man, closely masked, and from whom al All
orders emanated, stood in the door of the
Jail giving commands to the men. His
principal order was, "Be quick now we are
here for business and want nothing else
Tic them aud take them out, and be quick
about it, too! !" In less than ter minutes
from the time the doors were thrown open,
the men had dressed themselves, their hands
were tied, nooses were thrown over their
heads, and, firmly grnspod, and ss..l.daA.
each side, in front and rear, and with drawn
pistols at their heads, they were marched
from Jail down the street leading to the
west of the town. As they were taken
out, Humphrey Roberts, young man liv-
ing in this county, who was in jail on some
trifing offense, and who had been tied
through mistake by the mob, was united,
aud the jsiler was ordered to lock the Jail
and go home, which he did with alacrity.
One or two persons attempted to follow the
mob, but were ordered back, and informed
that they might be shot if they attempted
to follow. They were also informed that
the mob was $50 strong, and that any at
tempt at resistance would be promptly met,
even if it were necessary to burn down the
town.
During all this time-which, by means
of the delay caused by the hunt for ropes,
occupied over half an hour-probably
dozen or so people had been awakened and
become cognizant of the dreadful work that
was going on. Yet no one dared make any
effort to prevent action, as all the streets
were picketed and every movement was
met with loaded shotgun or the glare of
navy six or the glisten of bowie knife,
accompanied by o quiet but determined
order to the party concerned to get home
and stay there.
The mob, after leaving the Jail with the
prisoners, started on fast walk or run to-
ward the western portion Of the town.
Following the road at rapid pace they soon
came to bridge over branch of Drenan
Greek, just outside the western line of the
town. This seems to have been the spot
agreed upon beforehand for the execution.
Arriving there the mob stopped, and, light
ing candles, placed one upon each end of
the bridge. They then tied the ends of
the ropes, which we're about the victims
necks, to the posts at the side of the bridge,
and prepared at the word Of command to
pitch them over the side. Old Jim Sim.
mons and Bob Goodrich were given places
side BY side on the north side of the bridge,
and Sam and Joe Goodrich were consigned
to the south. Then the voice of the leader
whose commands were the only words
spoken distinctly, except another plea for
mercy from one of the wretched victims
rang out on the still night air "Ready
one, TWO, three! !" One of the victims was
launched over tho side Of the bridge. The
rope was quickly tightened with snap and
dull thud, and one of the murderers Of
Beeiy, James and John Oman and Eli Dow.
ny and VIM. Gallighan and John Gividen
IN