Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-06-15
DIABOLICAL OUTRAGE.
A Heinous Crime Committed at Rock Hill
ARREST OF THE FIEND.
The Summary and Exemplary Work Of Judge
Lynch.
VERDICT OF THE JURY.
lCorres pondrnce of the YOrkville Enquirer

Correspondence of the Yokvlle Enquirerl
Rock HILL, S. c., June 12.-Last night
was one suited to deeds of darkness, retrl-
button and grim, stern duty. The elements
were at war. displacng all the powers given
to the artillery of heaven. While thus engaged,
another scene was being enacted-a tragedy
in real life--terrible, startling and fearful in
it's consequences.
On the bright June morning of yesterday
some innocent little girls and young ladies
belonging to the number of operatives of the
Rock Hill cotton mill, had strolled to an Or
chard of wild plums, about mile above town,
for the purpose of gathering the fruit and
otherwise amusing themselves.
Between and 10 O'Clock, their pleasures
were suddenly ended by the appearance among
them of a negro boy some 1S or 20 years of
age 1t seems that the larger girls had be-
come separated from this group Of little chill
| dren leaving but one of the older ones in their
midst, she being Is years of age, rather tall,
slender and comely, Miss Alice Mcdowell by
name. The negro boy at once approached her
and laid his hand roughly on her shoulder.
The little ones fled, and screamed Justify, fright
ened almost out Of their wits, while in the
meantime the black brute accomplished his
fendish and most hellish designs upon this
innocent maiden of fifteen summers.
The screams of the victim and the children
attracted the attention Of the young ladies
and the gentlemen in company with them,
who were some distance off and out Of sight.
The gentlemen ran to the assistance of the
Door girl but reached her too late The deed
was done, and the fiend having fled, his vic
tim was returned to her parents in Factory
Row.
The town was at once aroused as only such
deed can arouse people, Men on horse and
foot began to search the surrounding country.
The spot was reached from which trail was
struck by S. NJ. Fewell, Esq, and others, and
followed with such unerring precision that no
mistake was made as to the correct course he
had taken, his tracks being easily distinguish
ed by popularity of his shoes. At one place
it was discovered that the fiend had taken off
his shoes-probably to facilitate his flight.
John Johnson was his name--a negro who for
merly lived in Chester, but who now was max
ing his home in Rock Hill.
BY circuitous route he had made his way
back to town, but his trail was never lost.
He was found sitting at street corner, appa-
rently unconcerned. But upon being arrested
he displayed some fear and agitation.
He was taken by the officers before his vic
tim, and she was asked by the trial justice if
she knew that man. She replied, II do. 1
can swear to him any where at any time, to
be the man that committed the deed upon me-"
Her parents were frantic with grief and
rage The crowd which by this time had
gathered around the house, was excited and
clamoring for the life of the human fend, who
had forfeited it to the great unwritten law,
the law of nature and the laws of the land.
Both the perpetrator and the victim were
subjected to medical investigation, conducted
by Drs. j. w. Fewell and T. A. Crawford.
As the result Of the investigation they pronoun-
ced the foul deed as having been fully accom-
plished. Other testimony of the most convin-
cling character was obtained, which formed
an unbroken chain, and lastly came his full
confession. At this the people grew wild with
excitement.
Towards the close of theevening,. the shades
of night having enveloped the earth, and the
darkness accompanied by most terrific thun-
der storm, the excitement seemed to subside,
and John Johnson was locked up in the guard
house.
At about O'Clock, however, it was rumored
that a large crowd of colored men had gather
ed at the guardhouse, as it was thought for the
purpose of releasing the prisoner or at least to
prevent the white people from executing sum-
mary punishment upon him. The excitement
of the afternoon was now intensified. The ne
groes were somewhat loud in their threats of
protection. 4 guard was stationed at the
guardhouse by the policeman in charge, and
during their stay further threatening DEM
onstration was made by the blacks, at which
time one Peter Eaves drew his pistol and said
he would 60 in. Major Beckham, then on
guard said he should not took Peters pistol
and put him inside as prisoner, charged with
carrying concealed weapons.
The blacks still fingered near the door in
crowds, talking and grumbling in their man
ner, until the guard on post was relieved by
detachment of the Catawba Rifles, when the
blacks commenced scattering, and after
while all had gone. ...-.
Quiet being restored, the detachment of Ri
1es was relieved, and the former guard, con-
sisting of Major Beckham, Samuel Gordon and
policeman S. G. Keesler, took their places at
the door.
Rain was falling in torrents; the wind blew
fercely but excepting the warning of the ele-
ments not another sound was heard All was
silent until the town clock struck the hour of
one, when suddenly, as if springing up out of
the earth, large crowd of masked men rushed
upon the guard, disarmed and pinioned Them
obtained the key of the guardhouse, and after
extinguishing the light entered and secured
John Johnson, brought him out, and marched
him to all oak tree near the Robertson House,
on Main street, and there, from the limb OF
that old oak tree they launched into eternity
the aforesaid John Johnson, onswhose breast
they had fixed placard bearing the inscrip-
| ton
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