The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-04-23
4 BRAVE TEXAN.
HE GAVE HIS LIFE IN DEFENCE OF A
WOMAN.

HE GAVE HIS LIFE IN DEFENCE OF 4
WOMAN.
Ths 1te-y Censeesei with Losely Grave
Rear Nowssrrv-rks Brave Enn Digs
His Grave-haoieat Deeds Of Calvary
Recalled.
D. A. Dlckert in tie Atlanta Coaatitution.
| NawBzRRy, s. c., April ia little
mound near the esseon mills in New
berry, 8. c., covers the remains OF
one who has left an eternal monu-
ment 30 the South's chivalry. His
name is unknown Immediately af-
ter tho close of the war the negro
troops belonging to Sherman's army
were marched by different routes to
Port Royal and Charleston, there to
| be disbanded. The night of which I
! gpeaI, q regiment of negro troops
were encamped in Newbery, near
the railroad depot.
The town had been plundered and
her citizens subjected to all the in
dignities that's drunken negro mob
| could offer. 4 government train was
then running from a point twenty
FIVE miles north OF Columbia to
Greenville to carry soldiers and refu-
gees as near their homes as possible.
This night as the train lowed up at
! the depot it was Immediately sur
rounded by drunken, bowling
| crowd Of negro soldiers. On board
the train were two ladies. The ne
groes svarmed through the cars Like
. set of demons set free from the in
iernal regions, while white soldiers
| on board were helpless and at their
mcrcy. What place for two help
less women without friends or pro-
tectors!.
In the coach with the ladies WAS s
soldier, and from his dress and de-
mesnor, one would Judge him to be
from Texas. He was tall and stately,
piercing black eyes, while his mas
aive head Of hair well became his
brawny face. He plainly showed
that he had been q determined fol-
lowor Of the lost cause. In their
wild carouse one Of the drunken ne
groes came to where the ladies sat,
and commenced to offer insults and
mdignities to the younger, too re-
Voting in their nature for rehear-
sal. In trying to release herself from
his loathsome embrace, she cried out
in despair: "My God, have I no
friend; will no one protect me?" In
a moment voice was heard IN the
rear end Of the cosch: eyes, I Will
protect you, If I die for it." The tall
form Of the unknown Texan was
seen rapidly approaching along the
aisle. His eyes shone in the dim
light Ike those Of the wild beast
ready to spring upon its prey. The
blade of knife was seen to glitter
above his head and with mighty
blow was buried to it's hilt in the
breast Of the black rufian With
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 step
ped few PAGES awsy, under cover of
the darkness, and waited develop
ments. He had lot long to wait.
All the imps Of darkness turned loose
could not have equalled the urrosr
and tumult this deed created. Word
flew to camp that one of their com
rades had been murdered by Con-
federate soldier. 4 wild rush was
made for the train, and for few
moments it looked as if al on board
would be put to death. Search was
made for the murderer, declaring
that if found be would be put to
death at once. The stranger stood
but few feet away, quietly listening
to his death sentence, as the soldiers
madly rushed by. At last one de-
clared he had found the man; he
seized one of the officials Of the rail-
road, and others coming up, With
ccual pos;tiveness swore to his lden-
tity. Violent hands were lain upon
the innocent man, while the drunken
mass that crowded around him SEEM
ed as if they would crush him to
death. His vain plesdings of inno-
cence were drowned by the Wild ye1s
Of the surging crowd He was being
carried away for execution Where
vas the unknown Texan! He had
shown his courage, now would he
waver in the face of immediate
death? With his hand be had pro-
tocted the person of defenceless
women, by dyeing it in the blood OF
her assailants, would he stand by and
see al innocent man die in his stead!
With calm deEberation, without
any emotion whatever, be made his
wav to the maddened crowd, and
with loud voice said: Turn thus
man loose, be is innocent. l am the
one who did it-now do your worst!"
This gave new impetus to the drunken
crowd, and he was hurried away to
camp. A dru1nhead courtmartial
was convened. and he was condemn
ed to be Immediately shot. While
he was being tried, word flew Like
lightning over the town that q white
man was to be shot, and every negro
that could possibly go came rushing
into camp and surrounded the brave
Texan, Offering him every 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 blood,
thirsty and cruel Queen Esther could
not have reioioed moro over her cap
bvss.
At halt-past twelve spade Was
given the conde1nnsdan andhe Was order
ed to dig his grave. Selecting spot
near the brow OF the hill. .hecommeaced
| the heartrending task OF digging has