The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1878-07-11
REVENUE WHELPs.
Decenoy and Law Alike Set at Defiance

evidence taken by the Committee of
the Grand Jury and submitted to
Judge Kersbaw, at the last term of
Court for this County. The report
of .ile the COMMITTEES was published
week before last:
Samuel Neal, being duly sworn,
says that he is q resident of Pickens
County, lives to the right of Central,
on the Twelve Mile River. On the
10Th day of March, 1878, two men
came to my house and told me they
were revenue officers. One said his
name wasLantord. The one unknown
to me told me that they had been in.
structed to come to my house and
detain any person found there, but
to make no arrests. They were both
armed with guns and pistols. The
person unknown directed Lanford to
come into my house and take charge
Of me. Lantord came into the house
and ordered me to get some chairs
aud sit down there with him. l took
a chair and asked him what THE
meanta He said he had been in
structed 20 detain pleasons found at
NY hoUso. About a hall hour after
this, elk men similarly armed came
up, dismounted and entered my
kitchen. l recognized one Of these
as VIM. +. Gary. Gary told The men
that he wanted both myself and a
man named Hammett, who lived in
my kitchen, to be arrested. Gary
then searched my smokehouse and
kitchen, after which he ordered me
into the kitchen where Hammett al
ready was, and directed his men to
keep us both in there. Gary and
VIM. Springs then entered my house,
and, as my wife and three other wo-
men informs me, searched it down
stairs and up stairs. My wife was
confined in bed with an infant only
four days old. They searched her
room, looked under her bed and eX-
amined the campbor and other bot
ties in the sick chamber. They wei e
all armed and carried their guns
about the house with their hands uD
OH the lock. They were wet and
muddy, their clothes dripping water,
and in this plight they we've in my
wife's chamber and about her bed
| told them my wife was sick, but
they paid no attention 10 me, and
while searching my house used very
insulting and obscene language. My
wife wac badly frightened, and sent
for me, and was permitted to 90 to
her. I demanded their authority
for their acts; they said they had
such authority, but refused to show it
to me. They then ordered me to get
my breakfast and to be in a hurry
about it, as | must go to Pickens with
them. Immediately aher break
fast they started with me
10 Pickens, and carried me
about a baf mile when / prevailed
upon their leader, whom they called
Hoffman, to allow me to give bond
and return to my wife. She was
quite eick and badly frightened. l
gave bond to appear before United
States Commissioner Thornley, on the
14h of the same month. At that
time I went before him, and was dis.
charged for want of proof. If there
was any warrant against me, l have
never seen it. Hammett was also
arrested and required TO give bond,
but they showed no warrant for his
arrest. His wife was also sick, and
he was looking for doctor 10 arrive;
when the officers entered the yard be
opened the door and stepped out, be"
lieving the doctor had come. One OF
the officers presented his gun at Ham
NETT, and ordered him to halt. He
had made no attempt to leave when
the gun was presented at him. lie
L.. II 81