The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-24
The Circumstances Connected with the
killing of Calvin Crozier.

We publish elsewhere an article from
the Atlanta Constitution relative to the
death Of Calvin CrOzier, and the sub
ioined notice taken from the Ncwberry
Herald at the time The tragic event is
as follows:
The train Conductor Billy Smith, as
We learn, on board Of which were the
colored troop going to thecoast, stopped
at NcwberrE because of an interruption
below. The negro soldiers had left the
car, and gone into camp at Academy
| Grove, not far from the depot.
On the coach Of the up-traIn, also
stopped because of the latcness Of its
arrival. were two ladies who had been
J placed in charge Of Mr.. CroZicr by the
| conductor. AS some time would clapse
before the departure of the train, and it
being a beautiful moonlight night, they
walked out to enjoy the quiet and
beauty Of the night.
On returning they found one Of these
men prowling about the coach. Crozier
spoke to him about the impropriety OF
| his being there, to which he replied
with an oath. CroZier told him to re-
member that ladies were present. TO
this he also answered with a curse.
Whereupon Crozier tried to eject him
when a scutfle ensued and the intruder
was cut.
In little while an infuriated crowd
of these negro soldiers made rush for
Mr.. Jacob Bowers, the supervisor, who
was at work about the train. Thinking
he was the man they were looking for
it is possible that they would have dis
patched him with their drawn sabres,
but for the timely presence of Calvin
CroZier. who came forward rs soon rs
he heard the noise outside. He ordered
them to release Mr.. Bowers, declaring
that he had defended the ladies. 1t was
with some difficulty that these fellows
were convinced that they did not have
the right man; not unit. CroZer held
up his knife and said, here's the proof in
his blood. They had laid violent hands
upon Mr.. Bowers.
CroZier was taken to the camp and
submitted to mock-trial before 4
drum-head court martial and sentenced
and shot to death; five or seven bullets
pierced the breast of this noble gentle
man who fell in defence of woman and
to save the life of fellow man, "witl-
out fear and without reproachw
The shallow grave into which his
body was thrust just as it had fallen,
was found to be too short, and We are
told that some of the merciless wretches
jumped upon the limbs to crush them
into the hole.
Throwing little earth upon the body
they double-quicked it to Prosperity
where they took the train. This dread
full event occurred in the silence Of the
night; there were but one or two wit
nesses to the sad scene apart from those
who took part in the brutal work. The
citizens knew nothing Of the shocking
occurrence until the next morning,
when the body was taken up and the
inquest held by Intendant Silas John
stone, Esq.
The body was then properly prepared
for burial and followed to the grave by
the citizens generally.
The notorious Prince Rivers, after
wards in the Legislature, was in COM
mand of the squad that took Crozier's
life, and we are informed that he Of
fered to get him off'if he would say that
he was not the man. TO which Crozier
defiant!y replied, unbind these hands
and I'll show you what I'll do.
The circumstance was reported to
the governor commanding, Perry, We
believe, who ordered the arrest of the
officer commanding, but with what re-
suit we have never known.
It is to be regretted that no moru-
ment marks the spot where repose the
dust of this hero who is worthy Of q
niche among the noble dead and :.
shaft that shall perpetuate his name
forever,
The following account is taken from
the Newberry Herald of September 13,
1865:
"The most of our readers are, ere this,
in possession of the facts relating to the
diabolical occurrences of last Friday
morning, which resulted in the killing
or murder of Mr.. Calvin Crozier, late a
member of the Sd Kentucky Cavalry,
under Morgan's command, by the 33d
colored troops in command of Col.
Trowbridge. The facts as wehear them
are these:
"Mr Crozier being prisoner was just
returning to his home in Texas and ar
rived at this place some time in the
night Of Thursday, and had two
young ladies under his care. A por-
ton of the colored 33d had been here
several days waiting for the remainder,
which got here Thursday evening. An
obstruction on the track near the depot
supposed to be done by some Of these
colored troops, threw a portion of the
train off. Leaving the car for a short
time and returning, Mr.. Crozier found
4 negro soldier in there in such close
proximity to the ladies that he ordered
him out, which the other in a most
violent manner refused to do. An al
tercation ensued, in which the negro
was cut in the back Of the neck. He
then left. Sometime after and while
the cars were being r;ghted, squad of
negro soldiers came up under a SER
geant in search of Crozier and, seiZing
by mistake, Mr.. Jake Bowers, in
charge ofthe hands, threatened to shoot
him; the right man, however, prompt
ly appeared, and declaring Bowers in
nocent gave himself up. a part Of the
squad were for instantly shooting him,
while others objected and insisted on
taking him to headquarters, which Was
then done.
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