The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-12-23
BLACK KU-KLUX IN YORK
NEGROES BANDED TOGETHER FOR
ROBBERY AND MURDER.

ROBBERY AND MURDER.
The Unearthing of a Secret Society, Whose
Object was to Steal, to Kill ANY One De-
tecting Them, and to Clear Accused
Members by False Testimony.
YoRKvILLE. December l5.-About
two weeks ago, or on the night OF No
vember 30, John Lee Good, a little son
of Mr.. w. Z. Good, who lives i'll the
western part of this county, was bru-
tally murdered. The News and Courier
has published several very meagre ac-
counts of the horrible affair, from
which it has appeared that about forty
negroes in. this county have banded
,.togteher to- rob aud plumber and mur-
der all persons who might detect them
in their lawleSsness.
The coroner's investigation of the
murder of little John Lee Good has re-
vealed most alarming state Of affairs
in that section, showing most con-
cluSively that a stupendous conspl-
racy had been formed among the ne
groes, the object beng robbery and
murder. An innocent child was the
lrst victim of the fiendish miscreants,
but developments have proved that
othe. murders were freely discussed
and ptacred, and that only recently
members Of the gang lay in wait one
night for q prominent citizen, Knowing
he would pass Il certain point on the
evening named. The confession Of
one of the participants in this affair is
corroborated by the gentleman himself
so far as to place. action of his horse,
&C.. and Il day or two after the occur
renee he mentioned it to friend, but
without the least suspicion that by Il
fortuitous circumstance, either lack OF
courage Of the man on watch, OF be-
cause he had fallen asleep, he was saved
from six murderouS bullets.
Trial Justice J. ?. Blair, acting as
coroner, summoned a jury of very dis
Greet men of the neighborhood, and in
conducting the inquest they have dis
played considerable tact, and, under the
difficult circumstances surrounding
them, have by practical investigation
brought to light the astounding facts
which have placed the Broad River
section in state of terror and spread
alarm throughout the county.
clusively to Nose Lipscomb, Dan Rob-
erts and Bailey DoWdle as the perpe-
traitors of the deed, with perhaps
another accomplice; and after the close
of the first days session they were conf
nitted to Jail. On the second meeting
Of the jury, on the Sd instant, after
taking testimony, circumstances and
statements of some of the witnesses
pointed, to Prindly Thompson us anoth-
er concerned in the murder, and he WAS
also committed.
y, y, I'M the eSa. 1Si-statien Of, so many wit
neSses vague utteranceS by first one
and another Of 1.-The club 1.-The clan
''the society" the witnesses member
ship and similar expressions gave clue
which was successfully worked up, and
the result is that now twenty-SlX ne
groes ranging in age frsm 16 to 80, are
inmates OF the Jail, their offence being
murder or aiding therein. These prlS-
oners are Nose Lipscomb, Dan Roberts,
Bailey Dowdle and Prindly Thompson,
principals, and the following, any OF
whom will no doubt find it difficult to
prove their innocence as accessories. 10y
reason Of the combination or conspira-
cy they formed, and which by evidence
so far adduced has been sufficiently
sustained Giles Good, John Good, Les
Wood Dick Thompson, Vim. Craig,
George Jameson, Scott Thompson,
Wadis Bankhead David Wilkes, Moses
Roberts, VIII McCluney, Wallace Reid,
Sam Thompson. Owens Moore, Allen
Good, Bob Smarr, Squire Thompson,
Brown Robins, Jack McCluncy, Sar.
Good, Vim. Washington. OF this dark
cloud Of prisoners Giles Good and Wal
lace Reid figured prominently in the
murder for which Columbus Crawford
was hanged eighteen months ago. Wal
lace turned States evidence. and Giles
who has always been regarded us the
instigator of the deed, though Column
bus admitted OF the gallows that he
fired the fatal shot. Giles is Il mulatto,
probably fifty years old, crafty and
cunning, and has the power to lead the
people of his race, over whom he has
eXerted Il strong influence.
No attempt to overtraw the picture,
or TO add Il word to increase the excite
ment this affair has produced, is neceS-
Sary after d recital of the bare facts.
After the corOnerS jury obtained the
clue us to the supposed conspiracy, they
devoted the third day of the invcstiga
tion. last Friday. to that branch Of thr
case, and the following is Il specimen
of the sworn testimony:
VIM. Roberts: | am member OF
this clan. | WAS received by Jack Nc
Cluncy in August 1856. know who
he said belonged to the clan-Allcn
Good, Wallace Reid, Prindly Thomp-
son. Bailey Dowdlc and Nose Lips
comb. Jack said he had very good
men us members. and he wanted NE to
join. lie said that the elan was Il good
thing. II Il man caught 4 member
stealing the club WAS to make HIM SUI
fer. did not attcud the!r meetings
regularly. but said to them once:
Boys. wemuSt swear together. Though
l have never Been with YOU, YOU have
got my name, and will stick to YOU.
We will stick together" did not take
tl,, nn+n M, aud Han CnrI nuN,