Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-09-11

On wednesday afternoon, OF last week, Dan
Thornburg, while firing his pistol promiscuous-
ly about the premises of his father, who lives
about two miles north east of town, accidental
ly, as it is claimed, shot his brother Bill ntict-
ing severe though not dangerous wound in his
left breast. Another brother, Sylvanus, came
to town for physician. Bench warrants are in
the hands Of the Sheriff for the arrest Of both
Bill and Sylvanus, the charge against them be-
ing the retailing Of liquor without license 1t
seems that on the day mentioned, the boys, who
have been evading arrest for several months, met
at their fathers house and were drinking, Syl-
vanus, especially being under the excitement
of whisky. He was sufficiently intoxicated to
have no fear OF the officers Of the law, and as he
galloped through the streets, Sheriff Glenn, who
recognized him, attempted to effect his arrest,
and summoned his deputy, Mr.. J. \. Darwin, to
assist him. Mr. Darwin attempted to seize the
reins of Thornburgs horse, on the Square near
Adickes' store, and Thornburg drawing pistol
detied the officer. Mr.. Darwin was armed with
pistol that had been loaded for some time, and
attempted to fire at Thornburg, but the weapon
would not go Oft, and Thornburg succeeded in
galloping away. When at distance Of fifty
yards from the officers he stopped and COM
'menced abusing them and defying arrest. He
remained there until he saw that pursuit would
be made when he galloped in the direction Of
his fathers house.
ASS as possible, the Sheriff, with his sons,
Thomas and Willie. Deputy Darwin, Messrs. R.
A. Parish and j. w. Colcock, started in pur-
suit. On coming within hailing distance of the
fugitive, he was ordered to halt, and paying no
attention to it, he was fired upon two or three
times by Deputy Darwin, but being out of range
of the pistol, he escaped unhurt and rode in
safety to his fathers house several minutes in
advance of the Sheriff and posse.
He arrived at the house sufficiently in time to
warn the family of the impending danger, and
by the time the Sheriff and posse rode up to
the yard the house presented the appearance of
an armed garrison the men, women and children
on the premises being under arms, their availa-
BILE weapons in active service being 2sixteen-
shooting Spencer rifles, l double-barrel breech-
loader, one double-barrel shotgun and six pis-
tolls. TO contend with this array of firearms
the posse had but seven charges, and two of the
men were entirely unarmed
Perceiving that he was powerless in the face Of
such odds to attempt to make any arrest at that
time, the Sheriff dispatched his son Willie to
town for aid, and several persons, armed, and on
horseback and on foot, FASTENED to the scene Of
hostilities; but before any Of them arrived,
Sylvanus and Bill rode from the rear of the
house, the posse being covered with the guns
Of the foe.
a second attempt to find them, after reinforce
ments arrived, proved Intellectual, and after re-
turning to town the Sheriff deputed his son
Thomas H. Glenn, DR.. A. Y. Cartwright and
Messrs. James H. Riddle and Arthur G. Hart to
start in pursuit, it being surmised which road
the fugitives would take in order to make their
way to CASTOR county, N c., where it was sup
posed they would attempt to 60.
Mr.. Glenn, by little strategy, had learned
where the boys had arranged to meet, and in the
direction of this placeth party fastened After
going some distance beyond the railroad trestle
at Allison Creek, they concluded that they must
be in advance Of the men for whom they were
searching, and they turned to retrace their steps.
On their return when nearly opposite the trestle,
they met buggy which proved to contain Will
liam Thornburg, who was wounded, in charge of
J. O. Walker, who was assisting him to escape.
Both men were placed under arrest and in charge
of DR.. Cartwright and Mr.. Hart, while Mr.. Glenn
and Mr.. Riddle proceeded on towards town, the
prisoners, in charge Of their guard, coming on
behind. 1t was known that Sylvanus had not
yet joined the escaping party and the officers
were sure of intercepting him before proceeding
far. When near the "old line fence" mile and
a half this side Of the trestle they were met by
a horseman. AS he approached, at rapid pace,
he was hailed, but disregarding the notice to halt
dashed by, Mr.. Riddle firing upon him as he
passed. He rode by unhurt, butproceeded only
a short distance further, when he was met by DR..
Cartwright and Mr. Hart, who demanded his
surrender. He attempted to wheel his horse,
and as he did so the horse stumbled and Thorn
burg fell almost at the same instant that the shot
was fired. He was unhurt, however, but his
capture now was an easy matter, and all three of
the prisoners were brought to town and lodged
in Jail.
While all this was going on, Sheriff Glenn's
barn, one mile west of town, was burning from
the torch of an incendiary, and there is strong
evidence that it was set on fire by
Sylvanus Thornburg, who it is supposed rode
from the "Finley house," where he was when
the second attempt was made to arrest him, for
the purpose. The barn was new, and one of
the best constructed buildings Of the kind in this
section, the barn proper being 80 by 36 feet, with
stables around the main building. 1t contained
a large quantity of feed and forage for stock and
was situated about so yards from the dwelling
of D. n. White, who lives on Sheriff Glenn's
farm.
There are three indictments against William
charging him with retailing liquor
without Il license, and on Saturday he made ap-
plication to Judge Witherspoon, through his
Messrs. Hart & Hart for bail, which
was granted in the sum of $500, and on Monday
he gave bond in that amount, his bondsmen be-
ing his father, Joseph Thornburg, and Alexan-
der Stewart Sylvanus Thornburg and J. o.
Walker are still in iail-the former for violation
of the State liquor law and arson, and the latter
for aiding aud abetting criminal to escape and
resisting an officer in the discharge of his duty.
For the Yorkvile Enquirer
CARD.