Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-03-20

rectiOnS for him to do so, and he will prob
ably have done so, if not cut OIL by the Gov
ernor's posse, before this interview ap-
pears in the Register. l have sent further
directions to him from Columbia, which l
believe will reach him and effect his sur
render to Sheriff Spofford. This will pre-
vent his being brought away from Chester
field, if those who manifest such an eager
ness to enforce the law do not override the
law and take him from Sheriff Spotford."
Colonel, what is the condition of MIR.
Coward and what have you to say in re-
ference to him?
81 am informed that Coward lies in a
very precarious state. The shooting of
Coward was entirely accidental, and the
wound he received is the only circumstance
of the whole affair that my son or myself
have regret for"
1t is stated in the papers that you and
your son were well posted in reference to
every move made to effect Boggan's capture.
Is it true?
'That is not the truth. We never heard
any news from Columbia, except an anony-
nous letter and one from friend, on last
Friday evening, notifying us of the fact that
Captain Richbourg and his posse were COM
ing. The anonymous letter we believed to
be trick and the other we attributed to "a
panic among our friends"
1t has been published that a posse could
not be obtained in Cheraw through feelings
of fear on one side and sympathy on the
other. Is that true?
"Well those who feared the Cashes should
not have wanted a better opportunity to
shoot them down under the forms of law
than the occasion which we are talking
about. / never heard that posse was
wanted there or that an effort had been
made to raise one"
Did you threaten to offer reward for
Intendant McNair or threaten to burn the
town of Cheraw?
"Only conditionaly. l had been inform
ed that McNair intended to offer reward
for my head and that of my son. then
said, if he did, would offer $1,000 reward
to have him shot. The Ne,Os and Courier
advised that l be burned out, and when |
read that l said that was game at which
two could play"
Did you see the offer Of reward by the
Governor?
81 never saw the proclamation, but |
heard Of it. 1t is all bosh ; it is conditioned
on Boggan's conviction, which will never be
had. All my neighbors ridiculed the offer
of the reward"
Colonel, 1 see you are charged with nu-
merous crimes and outrages-the reporter
showing the articles in the NecS and Courier
of Saturday, to him-what have you to say
about these charges?
"Well, sir, l have never seen that publi-
cation before. My yson struck Odom but one
blow in a quarrel about cattle; that was all
of it; saw it. The difficulty with Burgess
my son tried to avoid by apology, full and
free, but it was pushed on Boggan, and he
was tried and justified; wasn't fined one
dollar. He paid three dollars for the dam
age done to Burgess gun in the difficulty
The killing of the man on my premises was
applauded by press and people. The de-
ceased was one of Henry Berry Lowry's
gang of outlaws, and the killing of him was
praised by everybody. The hanging of two
negroes met my approval and that OF every
man, woman and child in Chesterfield. A
detachment of Wheeler's cavalry were 60
ing through the country, and were playing
off as Yankees. Two negroes went to them
and told them that they proposed to burn
out their owners and others, and other
crimes they intended to commit. The cav
alrymen at once notified the owners Of the
incendiary intention of the negroes, and it
was determined by large gathering OF cit
liens to hang them, and it was done. Who
would have protested? For Gods sake l
hope no man in South Carolina, no matter
what else he condemns me for, would disap-
prove Of my action in protecting our wives
and children from the incendiary and assas-
sin. My trial for Staying an opponent in a
duel is fresh in the memory of our people.
Anything else charged to me, or anything
charged to me in which [ have not been set
free, is base fabrication"
fected?
"From the letters we had received, l
thought posse might come, so got up
early Sunday morning, about 6 o'clock, and
went out into the back piazza, when saw
an armed man near a pulled down house
and l spoke to him. He said something in
reply, but could not distinguish his words
I turned into the house and got my rifle and
pistol and then went to the front door. L
was going down the road to hunt for Bog
gan, and when 1 had gone about 250 yards
from my house saw an armed man behind
a tree / spoke to him, but as / am hard of
hearing heard no response. continued on
my way, walking and had probably fif-
l could hear nothing he said. Iappealed to
him twice not to shoot me. / asked him to
let me approach him and speak to him, but
he kept me in my tracks with his rifle
eveled at me. l could only see so much of
his person as he could not avoid exposing.
1 told him 1 would lay my gun down and
come to him, and did drop my gun. If he
told me to drop my gun or he would shoot
me in the next minute, did not hear him.
AS far as shooting me is concerned, why,
my dear sir, l thought he would do it any
how. l think we were both badly fright
ened know that l was. l never got
within twenty yards of the sentinel. Cap
tain Richbourg anti several Of his posse
came up to me and offered no resistance.
We went to my house, where the party
,al nnnly ROUp1n
without finding him. / then proposed to
Captain Richbourg that if he would dismiss
his posse to Cheraw and he would remain
with me until / could communicate with
Boggan, my son would surrender, on con-
ditOn that he would be permitted to apply
for bail in Chesterfield county. Captain
Richbourg agreed to this, but after a con-
sultaton with some of his posse, he an
nulled his agreement. l then proposed
to him to leave his posse at my house,
and he and / would take horses and 60
into the woods after my son. This he
also agreed to do. Horses were saddled
to mount, but after a second cOnsulta-
ton with his posse he returned and said
that he would have to decline to make any
compromise" in any manner, shape or
form. The posse took my rifle from my
house and my pistol from my pocket, against
both of which acts l entered my solemn
protest The posse remained at my house,
while Captain RichbOurg went to Cheraw
and had a warrant placed in the hands of
King Timmons, who came to my house
about 3 p NJ, and then followed my formal
arrest. The posse and myself had a very
pleasant time, for no man ever comes to my
house without being welcomed to the best
| have. | have no complaint to make
against Captain Richbourg and his posse,
avnon,t thnt / ch0nll hnNn haan nllAMld