The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-24
4 BRAVE TEXAN.
WHO GAY3 BIS LIFE IN DEFENSE OF
WOMAN.
The Story Connected With Lonely Grave
Near Sewberry-The Brave Man Digs
His Graye-Ancient Deeds of Chiy-
airy Recalled.
ID. A. Dickert in Atlanta Constitution.

airy Recalled.
d. A. Dickert in Atlanta Constitution.
NEWBERRY, S. c., April ia little
mound near the cotton mills in New
berry, S. c.. covers the remains of one
who has left an eternal monument to
the South's chivalry. His name is un-
known. Immediately after the close
Of the war the negro troops belonging
to Sherman's army We're marched by
different routes to Port Royal and
Charleston, there to be disbanded. The
night of which I speak, regiment of
negro troops were encamped in New
berry, near the railroad depot.
The town had been plundered,
and her citizens subjected to ali the
indignities that drunken mob could
offer, A government train was then
running from point twenty-five miles
North of Columbia to Greenville to
carry soldiers and refugees as near their
homes as possible. This night as the
train slowed up the depot it was imme-~
diately surrounded by a drunken,
bowling crowd of negro soldiers. On
board the train were two ladies. The
negroes swarmed through the cars like
a set OF demons set free from the infer
nal regions, while white soldiers on
board were helpless and at their mercy.
Whata place for helpless woman with
out friends or protectors!
In the coach with the ladies was
soldier, and from his dress and de-
meanor, one would judge him to be
from Texas. He was tall and stately,
piercing black eyes, while his massive
head Of hair well became his brawny
face. He plainly showed that be had
been determined follower Of the lost
cause. In their wild carouse one of the
drunken negroes came to where the la
dies sat, and commenced to offer in
suits and indignities to the younger,
too revolving inits nature for rehearsal.
In trying to release herself from his
loathsome embrace, she cried out in
despair: "Iy God, have no friend;
will no one protect me?" In moment
voice was heard in the rear end of
the coach: Yes, will protect y u, if
die for it." The tall form of the un-
known Texan was seen rapidly ap-
preaching along the aisle. His eyes
shone in the dim light like those of the
wild beast ready spring upon its prey.
The keen blade Of knife was seen. to
glitter above his head and with q
mighty blow was buried to it's hilt in
the breast of the. black rutfian. With
a wild yell he leaped from the car and
fell dead upon the side-track.
The stranger quietly walked out Of
the coach at the other end, and stepped
| a few PAGES away, under cover of the
darkness, and waited developments.
He had not long to wait. All the imps
of darkness turned loose could not
have equalled the uproar and tumult
this deed created. Word few to camp
that one of their comrades had been
murdered by Confederate soldier. \
wild rush was made for the train, and
and for few moments it looked as if
all on board would be put to death.
Search was made for the murderer, de-
claring that if found he should be shot
at once. The stranger stood but few
feet away, quietly listening to his death
sentence, as the soldiers madly rushed
oy. AT last one declared he had found
the man; he seized one of the officials
of the railroad, and Others coming up,
with equal positiveness swore to his
identity. Violent hands were laid upon
the Innocent man, while the drunken
mass that crowded around him seemed
as if they would crush him to death.
His vain pleadings of innocence were
drowned by the wild yells of the
surging crowd. He was being carried
away for execution. Where was the
unknown Texan? He had shown his
courage, now would he waver in the
face Of immediate death? With hi
hand he had protected the person of
defenceless women, by dyeing it in the
blood of her assailants, would he stand
by and see an innocent man die in his
stead?
With calm deliberation, without any
emotion whatever, he made his way to
the maddening crowd, and with loud
voice said: "Turn this man loose, he is
innocent. I am the one who did it
now do your worstw This gave new
impetus to the drunken crowd, and he
was hurried away to camp. A drum
head court-martial was convened, and
he was condemned to be Immediately
shot. While he was being tried, word
flew like lightning over the town that
& white man was to be shot, and every
negro that could possibly go came
rushing into camp and surrounded the
brave Texan, offering him avery insult
and indignity that their wicked souls
could invent. The negro women outdid
the men in rejoicing over the fate of the
prisoner. Even the bloodthirsty and
cruel Queen Esther could not have re-
joiced more over her captives.
At half-past twelve spade was given
the condemned and ordered to dig his
grave. Selecting spot near the brow
Of the hill, he commenced the heart
rending task of digging his own grave.
Spadeful after spadeful was thrown,up,
until three feet is reached. Thenstand-
ing erect and stretching out his arms,
he said: II am ready" a breathless