Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-08
THE GREENVILLE LYNCHING.
of Bob WillIams-AnOther Negro
Narrowly Escapes abe Same Fate.
WiUtdmston Correspondence Charleston Ne,Cs
and Courier 4fh

WiUldmst0n Correspondence Charleston NelCs
and Courier, 4th.
About O'Clock this morning two of cur
| best citizens drove into town and lodged in
| the guardhouse a negro whom they had
arrested in Greenville county some time
duricg last night. 1t was soon ascer-
/ tanned that the negro had, few days ago,
| outraged a little nine-yesr-old child, the
| niece of one OF the gentlemen who had
him in Charge. The little orphan
girl was living with Mr.. Clark between
! Greenville and MaclOy's factory, who,
Yesterday, as soon as he discovered what
had been done, brought her to her uncle in
a fearfully injured condition. That gentle
man, who, though preacher, is noted for
his nerve and pluck, procured the aid of his
nearest neighbOr, and going very quietly 10
the home and bed tof the fend who com
mitted the awful deed, tied him hard and
fast. His first question was, "Are you GO
ing to kill me ~ While coming to William
stOn be begged his captors to stop and shoot
him. He said his former master had often
told him he would be hanged some day;
that his time had come; he was guilty, and
wanted to be shot.
At eight O'Clock, about one hundred men
assembled at the depot to do justice to the
prisoner and justice to the poor little out
ragged orphan child. This crowd was made
up of young. old and middle aged men, all
anxious 10 learn the particulars and pursue
whatever course the facts of the case might
demand. After some consultation IL was
determined to take the criminal back intO
Greenville county and there mete out to
him such punishment as in their iudg-
ment his conduct deserved. Though he
had boldly confessed his guilt time after
time two of the crowd were appointed to
take him to the little girl and have him
identified. She did identify him, and while
the demon stood in the presence OF his in
nocent victim, he said, "Yes, that's the lit
tie girl" His doom was sealed. He was
marched across the bridge over the Salgda
river, at Pelzer, just two miles from this
place, and there on the hill opposite that
beautiful and growing town, was hanged
until he was 'dead, dead, dead"
That is the clOsiug chapter in the life of
Bob Williams demon too fendish to be
buried In the soil that contains the ashes of
human beings. Our streets have been very
Quiet ever since the very orderly crowd
marched the culprit away to the last scene
of his life. 1 am informed this evening"
however, that sfteF things had quieted down
this morning, and the lR6ofeTs at PelZer had
returned to their work, negro, whose nanle
[ did not ascertain, remarked that II the
dead 4nan had been anything to him he
would not haVe suffered him TO be killed
for that offense. He was Instantly seized
by some OF the same crowd that had hsng-
ed the other negro, and wi rope around
his neck was being hurried oil to the spot
that was made memorable by the incidents
of the hour before, when President Smgthe
and Mr.. Caughhn interfered, and after
begging hard for him, had him released,
with the promise that he would never more
be seen in Anderson county. When seen
last he was making tracks towards parts
unknown,