Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-04
Southern Lynchers.



The old county of Edgefeld, S. c.. has
been the theatre of many acts OF violence and
bloodshed. Within the past ten years the
names of l20 men have been upon the dockets
of the criminal courts Of the county charged
with the murder Of an equal number of men.
White men committed the great majority
of these murders, and almost all of the VIC
tins were whites. The best families 10 the
county have warred with each other, pistols
have deem drawn upon the slightest provoca-
ton. and blood has almost invariably been
spilled on such occasions. Congressman
George d. Tillman Of tbs second district, v no
is now stumping the State and abusing the
national administration, has killed his man.
He fed to South America, but Afterwards
returned, stood his trial, and served three
years in the county Jail.
At the next term of court for Edgefeld
which convenes on November s, the Edge
field lynchers are TO be tried. Thirty-one
men, the majority Of whom are representa-
tves Of the best families in the county, are
indicted for the murder of o. I. Culbresth
on September q, 1885. Half of the men
charged with the crime are married, and have
100 children between them. Some Of them
are white haired and have grandchildren, and
some are still in their teens. One is she State
senator from that county another Is prom
inent physician, a member of one of the old
est families in the State; another is the
brother of Mrs. Culbreath, who married a
sister Of the murdered man, and still another
is young Culbreath, his son.
Culbreath belonged to a good family was
well of and up to three years ago, when he
began ill-,reating his wife, had the respect of
the community. He LETT his wife about two
years ago, receiving from her, it is said, $4,000
for doirg so He renamed in the neighbor.
hood and watched her vigllantly. Reports
regarding her lack of virtue were circulated
about the neighborhood, and Culbreath was
SAID TO have been the originator of them.
Mrs. Culbresth lived upon the plantation
with her children. the eldest being q boy of
lG.
As man was needed to manage the place
and look after the stock, Mrs. Culbreath OBJ
tanned the services Of a cousin, w. II. Ham.
mond, to superintend the farm. Culbreath
became very jealous and watched his wife's
house continuously. He circulated reports
that his wife was impure, and that Hammond
more to her than an Overseer. Ham
mond WAS told that Culbreath had threatened
his life, but paid no attention to it.
On the evening of Sept 10, Just before GO
ing to his home, Hammond was walking in
the yard of Mrs. Culbreath's place with one
of the young children when those in the
house heard the report of gun. On going
out they found the Young man dead, with his
head almost shot off. Near by were found
the footprints of a man, who had evidently
been walking up and down waiting for an OPP
portunity to do the shooting.
The next morning Culbreath was arrested
and taken to the Office of Gay & Evans.
While there a band of .hirty-fve mounted
men dashed into the town and surrounded the
office. Several of them dismounted and rushed
in, breaking down the door. Culbreath had
been locked in the rear office by his lawyers,
who met the mob IN the ante-room. They
protested with the intruders and threatened
them with the consequences. Two of the
party placed pistols at their heads and or
dered them to remain quiet The others
broke into the room where Culbreath was.
They dragged him into the street and mount
ing their horses, started on a gallop out Of
town, dragging the wounded man over the
rough road behind them, and shooting at him
from time to time. Culbreath had been a
gallant Confederate soldier, and some of his
old army friends were in the mob He called
them by name and begged them to have
mercy on him. His pleadings were UNDECIDED
and after going mile hale he tainted from
loss of blood and the terrible pain he was en-.
during His tormentors thinking him dead,
fired final voley at him and lett him by the
roadside.
Culbreath soon revived and started to
crawl back to the town. He WAS met on the
way by some friends and taken back. He
lived until morning in terrible agony. Before
diving he declared his innocence and gave the
names of some of his murderers. Thirty
five were arrested and true bills for murder
were found against thirty-one. These were
released on S62 900 bail. Their trial has
been continued for two terms of court, but
the State will do all in its power to bring the
case to trial at the coming term. Senator
Butler, General Gary and other distinguished
lawyers have been engaged for the defence.
Governor Sheppard when Lieutenant Gov
ernor, was also retained but cannot now act.
Attorney General Miles, Solicitor Durham
and others will represent the State.-BoStOn
Globe