The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1885-10-28
rHE EDatrtEtD 3.TtNttt;aiNG.
alternating Statements which are Made
IN Behalf of the Accused.
(Specaol to the Ncus and Coatraer)

(SptttNt ~ tNG -fCuo NNu wa sCi.l
AUGUSTA, GA, October 22.--This
beautiful city is so near to Edgefield
and is so intimately connected with
the county that no day passes that
several Edgefeld men are not seen on
the outrageous streets. 1t Is easy,
therefore, to obtain the gossip con-
corning the Edgcficld affairs which
rarely finds its way into print. The
all-absorbing topic in Edgefield at
this time is the lynching Of Culbreath,
and it mnst be admitted that the state
ments which are made in Augusta
upon the subject change materially
the aspect Of the deplorable affair.
1t is asserted that Mr.. Culbreath
treated his wife with the utmost bru-
tality after her fathers death, and that
his conduct was so offensive to the
people that it is surprising that he was
not lvnched at an earlier day. Among
his other offences, it is said that in a
drunken fit he lashed his wife severe
ly with buggy whip, and when re.
monstrated with by her mother lashed
that lady in the same way. AS con-
sequence Of his behavior, u separation
took place. Mr.. Culbrcath, however,
continued a surveillance over his wite's
actions, and without any reason what
ever was furiously jealous. AS is
known, Mr. Hammond was assassinated
in the yard of Mrs. Culbreath's house
where he had gone at the request of
her son to remain tor the night. One
of my informants saws that he knows
it to be Il fact that Mr.. Culbreath
caused Hammond to be assassinated,
and that he was as mucn the assassin
as though he had actually pulled the
trigger. This, at ali evenR, was be-
lieved in the county and was the imme-
diate cause Of the lynching, The pco-
pie of the county felt shat such con-
duct should be tolerated no longer,
and they unwisely took the law into
their own hands. An Edgefeld man
whom | talked with said, with great
emphasis, that he held that lynching
was never iustifiable, but if ever 1t was
to be justiiiable it was so in Culoreath's
case.
There are now in Edgefield jail more
than thirty persons who are accused
of participation in the lynching. The
accommodations are altogether insult
ticient, and the prisoners are threaten
ed with disease by reason Of the condi-
ton of the buildings in which they are
confined. They did not apply for
bail, but have suffered severely al
ready, and their suffering is not in
their confinement alone. The accused
form the bulk of the adult male popu-
ation of two or. more townships in
Edgeield county. They are taken
from their plantations at Il busy season
of the wear, and in their absence it is
impracticable to control the colored
laborers, who are filching the cotton
from the fields right and left. 1t is
asserted in all seriousness that many
families will be deprived of bread and
meat by the arrest of the accused, all
of whom, it is said, are ready to give
bail to any amount that may be rcqulr-
ed.
give these statements in order that
the public may know what is said by
those who are acquainted with the
lynchers, and who feel that the act was
SO nearly iustifable that there is no
reason to keep the accused in Jail, and,
who maintain, further, that the facts !
to be developed before the grand jury
or in open Court will satisfy the puellc
mind that no great wrong has been
done. When it is urged that the
Courts should have been resortcd to, 1t
is shown that the original offences OF
Culbreath could not have been made
the subject Of a judicial investigation
without public scandal.
AS regards the assassination of Ham
mond there is feeling, am sorry to
say, that whatever the evidence, Cul-
breath would not have been convicted,
and that lynch law was the only law
that would meet his case. The accused
are said to be highly respectable, in
dustrious and well-behaved citizens,
who would never, save as last resort,
be gully of an act of violence of any
kind.
All this is given to the readers of the
Ne,oS aud Courier, without comment.
and in order that they may know what
is the opinion held by those who claim
to be familiar with the facts of the
case.
More Lyncbcrs Committed to Jail.
EDGEF1ELD, October 22.-Sheriff
QUITS brought to Jail last night Morgan
Dorm, Ebert Dorm, Richard Ham.
mond and W. H. Hammond, charged
with being accessories to the Culbreath
lynching. He had warrants for two
other parties, but could not find them.
The sheriff was arrested to-day by
Coroner johnson under warrant
| charging him with official misconduct
in permitting and allowing prisoners
to escape. The sheriff gave bond for
his appearance at Court. Two prison
ers, Collier Hammond and Reuben
Johnson, were granted permission last
| night to go to their respective homes
under charge Of a constable, the party
to return tonight. For this offence
another warrant was issued against the
| sheriff, charging him with maliciously