Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-04-10
SUMMARY JUSTICE.

We received last week but not until after our
forms had gone to press, the details of shock
ing crime committed near Rock Hill on Tues
day, 1st instant and the speedy retribution
visited upon the guilty wretch by the outraged
citizens as soon as the facts became known.
About o'clock P. NJ, on the day named, a
colored boy about Is or 10 years of age, named
Frank Elliott, outraged the little six-year old
daughter Of Mr.. w. 4. Fewell, who lives about
three miles northwest of Rock Hill, infiicting
severe injuries. Soon after the commission OF
the horrible crime, the child went to the house
from the barn where the brute had enticed her,
and in agonizing words told her parents, with
childish simplicity of what had happened. While
the injured and suffering child was being prop
erly cared for, immediate seach, was made for
Elliott by Mr.. Fewell. The negro, who had not
left the place, was found without much delay
and he was Immediately arrested. On being
confronted with the crime by MIR. Fewell he
stoutly denied it and said the child received her
injuries by falling down the steps. Mr.. Fewell
seemed inclined to give the negro the benefit of
his denial, instead of ending his worthless life
on the spot, as he would have been iustifable
in doing, and decided to take him to Rock Hill
and let the matter undergo judicial investigation,
before Trial Justice S. NJ. Fewell. On arriving
at Rock Hill, about 5 o'clock, P. NJ. the fiend
was turned over to Constable IT. G.. Beckham,
who at once took him into the Justices office
On coming before the magistrate, after an ex-
animation of the brutes clothing, which was
found to be saturated with blood, he made free
and full confession, acknowledging the commits
sion of the deed and giving description of its
accomplishment. The revolving details Of the
horrible crime soon spread over the town, and
in a short time the entire population became
greatly enraged and excited. Crowds of angry
aud determined men gathered on the streets,
and it was plain that their mutterings foreboded
a lust and speedy retribution for the gravest
crime that can be committed against the laws Of
God or man.
The officers perceiving the danger threatening
their prisoner, made preparation for protecting
him, and as precautionary measure, until the
necessary preparations could be made for start
ing with him to the Jail in Yorkville, decided to
conine him temporarily in the guard house.
About half past o clock the officers started with
him to the guard house; but before the door
could be opened and the prisoner turned in, the
excited crowd overpowered the guards and took
possession Of the negro. He was pinioned and
taken to a grove on the outskirts of town, where
he was hanged to tree, just at the setting of the
sun. Attached to his breast was placard bear
ing the inscription: "Our daughters we will
protect"
About midnight Trial Justice Fewell acting as
coroner, impanelled jury and held an inquest.
The verdict was that the deceased came to his
death from strangulation by cord being placed
around his neck by persons unknown to the
Jury. After the inquest the body was turned
over to Berry Elliott, the father who took it out
TO his home for burial