Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-03-20
9flistellaueums &eadiug.
THE CHERAW TRAGEDY.
Both Sides of the Question.
COLONEL CASH'S STATEMENT.

Both Sides of the Question.
COLONEL CASH'S STATEMENT.
No recent event in South Carolina has
created more excitement in the State than
the tragedy in Cheraw, by which affair
the Town Marshal, w. II. H. Richards,
lost his life, and James Coward, a bystand-
er, was dangerously wounded, at the hands
of VIM. Boggan Cash, in the streets of Che
raw, late on the afternoon of the 23rd ultimo.
VIM. Boggan Cash is the son of Col. E. B.
C. Cash, and both father and son have been
prominently before the public for number
of years, the notoriety which they had
previously gained contributing much to the
public interest manifested in the affair IN
which they are now such conspicuous actors.
The material facts of the case, as presented
by both sides, are given below.
The first intimation of the affair was con-
veyed by telegraph from Cheraw, on Satur-
day evening February 23rd, by a. dispatch
which announced that on the afternoon OF
that day w. B. Cash shot Town Marshal
Richards and bystander named James
Coward. Both were shot through the lungs.
The particulars were to the effect that on
the Saturday previous, February 10th, wv.
B. Cash came into town early in the day,
and remained until dark. Just before start
ing for home he became very boisterous
and was approached by Town Marshal
Richards and requested to keep quiet. A
difficulty ensued and they clinched-the
Marshal using his club freely on Cash's
head and arms; but finally the Marshal was
ed in the face by Cash. After being sepa-
rated, Cash Immediately left town. Both
men were unarmed at the time. This af-
ternoon (February 23rd) Cash again came
into town about 3 o'clock, and after re-
manning about two hours, walked up to
the peace officer, who was sitting on dry
goods box at the corner of G. A. Brooks
store. Passing him few PAGES, Cash wheel
ed round and fired three shots in quick sue
cession, the first ball hitting Mr.. James
Coward, bystander, and shooting him
through the lungs. The second shot took
effect in the Marshal's left lung, and as he
fell, Cash fired another shot, but missed.
He then ran to his horse, which was at a
convenient place, and in the excitement
was permitted to escape"
Such was the first announcement Of the
affair as published on the following morning
in the Columbia Register. Subsequently oc-
casional bulletins were sent from CheraW,
relative to the condition Of the wounded
men, and on the 29th, the following dis
patch announced the death of Marshal
Richards:
'Town Marshal Richards died this morn
ing. The jury of inquest was empannelled
to-day at half-past l o'clock and adjourned
for the hearing of evidence until haf-past
this evening. In the interim Drs. kOllOck,
James, Wilson and Waddell proceeded to
perform the autopsy. The autopsy revealed
the fact that the ball had entered the left
side, penetrating the lung and fourth dor
sal vertebra. Spicule of the bone were also
driven into the spinal marrow. The exam
inaton of the four witnesses, whose evidence
differed in no material points, was then
made. Upon the conclusion of the evidence
the jury rendered the following verdict:
That w. II. II. Richards came to his death
from pistol shot in the hands of w. B.
Cash, on the 23rd of February MIR. Rich
ards leaves wife and three small children.
He came to Cheraw with the first garrison
sent to this town in 1865, where he married
and has since resided. The funeral services
of which order Mr.. Richards was men,
Der, were held at the Baptist Church this
afternoon, the pastor, the Rev. Mr.. Hick-
son, officiating. The attendance was large,
all places of business being closed"
The material testimony before the ury of
inquest was that of Peter S. Terry, who be-
ing sworn, said:
"Recognized dead body as that Of w. H..
H. Richards. Saw w. b. Cash shoot him
on Saturday, 23rd instant. He was sitting
on the side steps of C. a. Brooks store in
the town Of Cheraw, S. c. The shooting
was done at the corner or Market and Front
streets. Witness was six or eight feet from
Richards when he was shot. w. b. Cash
asked deceased if he was watching him, and
deceased said he was not. After this reply
of deceased, Cash walked off three or four
steps, when Richards said he was discharg-
ing his duty, and then Cash turned and be-
gan shooting. Richards Wasleaning against
tree with his left side towards Cash. Cash
was five or six feet from deceased when he
began firing. Cash fired three shots. At
the third shot Richards fell. Deceased had
no weapon in his hand"
Other testimony was either corroborative
of the above, or by medical attendants of
the deceased prior and subsequent to his
death.
In the meantime no efforts had been made
to secure the arrest of Cash, who was pre-
sumably taking refuge at his fathers house,
or was under his protection, and it was al
legged that the peace officers of Chesterfield
were derelict in the discharge of their du-
ties. The people of Chesterfield were repre-
sented as being in state of decentralization
and afraid to act, and number of stories
were in circulation to the effect that in GER
tain contingencies, Col. Cash would offer a
reward Of 81 900 for the death of the Inten-
dant of CheraW, and again, that if his son
were arrested that he would cause the town
to be burned. The people of the county
were represented as being over-awed by the
Cashes on the one ham,, and in sympathy
with them on the other. 1t is undeniable
that from some cause there was unaccOunt-
able supineness on the part of the county
officials, which was not even awakened by
the proclamation of the Governor, after the
death of Richards, offering reward of
murderer. The Governor was prompt to
act, however. He recognized the fact that
w. B. Cash, though claiming immunity on
account of his wealth and the influence he
was supposed to exert in his community,
was murderer on the same plane OF the
humblest citizen vino had committed a
similar offence; and on becoming satisfied
that the Sheriff of Chesterfield county was
powereSs to act, or disinclined to make the
arrest of Cash, he interposed the strong arm
Of executive authority. State Constable
Richbourg, with posse of twelve picked
men, was ordered to the scene. The events
of this expedition we have already publish
ed. The posse failed to find w. Is. Cash,
but had no difficulty in arresting his father,
at the "Cash mansion" and after his surren-
der to the posse a warrant charging him
with being accessory after the fact was sworn
out by Chris. HuSsung, one of the posse, and
issued by Trial Justice j. NJ. Mcqueen, who
was on the ground. The warrant charges
Col. Cash with being accessory after the
fact of his sons crime. On this warrant he
was formally arrested and conveyed to
Columbia.
AS showing the anmus of the Cashes in
Of inl, ,rI., nn1 tnnf tho nt