The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-09-30
The Edgefeld Lynching.

which began with young Hammond's
assassination in Edgefield q few days
since, has been enacted in Edgefield,
and the town is in a state Of widest ex-
element over the murder of Mr.. 0 T.
Culbreath by a masked mob, who charg-
ed him with the killing Of Hammond.
Whether guilty or not, the manner in
which punishment was melted out is
greatly to be deplored, and cannot be
too heartily condemned. The law-abid-
ing citizens of old Edgefield cannot too
plainly make known their horror ard
disapproval Of this red handed outrage
upon law and order. Our dispatches
bring word that indignation meetings
will be held, and the fullest efforts made
to apprchcnd the guilty parties. We
furnish below full particulars of the
bloody tragedy.
C~L1NToNwAnD, S. c., September 22-
[Special.]-The town of Edgcfcld is
intensely excited over the last act
in the tragedy which was in
augurated last week by the assassina-
ton of young w. 81. Hammond, in the
yard Of Mrs. Culbreath. Suspicion set
tied upon Mr.. IT. Culbreatb, husband
of Mrs. Culbreath, as the murderer of
Hammond, and last night this suspicion
eliminated in tho murder of Mr.. Gull
breath, rightih the heart of the village,
by q band Of masked men.
Early Monday morning o warrant was
sworn out before Trial Justice Glover
for the arrest of. o. Il. Culbreath, charg-
ing him MS the assassin of young Ham,
mond. The warrant was placed in the
hands Of Constable Robert Ramsay,
who found no difficulty in executing the
ame Returning to Edgcfield village,
twas agreed that Mr.. Culbrcath should
not be.placed injail, rs no fear was enter
tanned of his fleeing from justice, so he
was left ut the hotel. After tea las
night he repaired to tho Office Of his at.
torneys, Messrs. Gary g. Evans, t;con-
suit with them ia reference to hi bond
and petition. It bad been reddiinp all
day and at about ten miSdtcs before
eight o'clock the village Yas rs ouiet AS
such an occasion coule1 dcmand, when
Constable Ramsay rS1fed into the office
OF $ssss1s:.1my@E Evans and informed
them that a body OF men were coming
mp the road. Rumors of a lynching
party had been heard in the village, and
Mr.. fCulbreath had. been advised to
leave by friends, but he said nobody
wanted to hurt HIM, and it was proba.
bly, an attempt to cXtort informa
ton from some negroes on his
place who were thought to know sorc-
thing about young Hammond's death.
When the constable entered the Office
with the announcement that a body of
men were approaching, it could no lon
ger be doubted hat
THEY AFTER CULBREATH,
and he was told to enter the back room
of the Office and make his escape
through a door opening into a small
yard. He had no sooner left the room
and closed the door than tho mob knock
cd at the front door, and asked if Mr..
Cuibreath was in. They were inform
ed that he was not, but, not satisfied
with this answer, they entered, and two
Of the men, covering Mr.. Gary with
cooked pistols. two threatening Mr..
Evans in the same manner, and two
others proceeded to open the back room
door. Messrs. Gary g. Evans were un-
armed. but protested vehemently against
the invading of their private office.
Upon opening of the back room Mr..
Culbreath fired, his shot taking effect
anNsethe door. His fire was immqe
dtk~gsiyEaturned, one ball striking CT.
MS4th3 pthe right shoulder and anotea
pAnAtratsng the door. Culbreath cried
oatsel1Sh.t shoot me any more,
r,ss EW2 IT AM KILLED"
sHes*sssseized and dragged out Of the
rgf 4skfhe while protesting his in
senbsshcSaad the great wrong that was
befeGAplseShim. He was dragged be-
twa M9Se3nen, about a mile back of the
l0lsktg nqtSee, out of town, to small
shesFeen the Creighton and
&l6skx4f places. He called the
syye ral members of the'party,
6ktSafH4m To let him ride SAVING
sSShsAying from his wound and
A &sAsggxp walk also asking certain
3ysTsg !4Na6se names he called, if they
were k9k Astamed to treat an old friend
. that $1,000 alleging his innocence
OF thSSssfnSHs for which he was being
mNSds52sa When thoy arrived at the
A&sGs szasked to be allowed to pay,
Sfcquested that no be shot in
u MM5 rs Ha-wac q Non ah.x 49,.