The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-10-08
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TEN MEN TO BE HANGED,
Tie Result ~ tho Court Of Sessions In

Laursns.
LAURENs, 5. G., Sept. 25.-The
most death-dealing sentence in the legal
annals of tn 8 State, except in cases of
| insurrection, was passed at Laurens to-
day, ten negro men being sentenced to
bC hanged for the murder of another
negro. The charge was conspiracy and
murder. Some months ago Jim Young,
Monroe Young, Henderson Young,
Allen Young, Tom Atkinson, John At
kinson, Lise Atkinson, John Adams,
Perry Adams aud Jack Williams, all
colored, having some cause of quarrel
against Thornton Nance. also cOlored,
arranged plan to take his life and car
red it out successfully. at this term
"i the Laurens Court they were all tried
together for tho crime, and all convicted.
~ motion was made for new trial and
refused, and Judge Hutson sentenced
the whole ton to be hanged on October
23 next.
AT the same term of Court Ike Kin
ard, colored, was convicted of the MUIR
der Of Samuel G. Oxner, white man,
and was sentenced to be hanged on Oc-
tobcr l6, this making eleven negroes
| oSAeNhSN W NSN'ii az lilCoC DlOOuy uS-
sizes. The Court of General Sessions
has adjourned. The State gained every
case. Six negroes were sentenced to
the Pcnltentiary or to pay fines.
TIE CRIME AND TIE TRIAL.
The murder Of Thornton Nance, for
which the ten negroes were sentenced
to-day u be hanged, occurred on the 5th
day of August last at Il negro church
| MI twill ll., OF.
gla, Carolina and Northern Railroad,
about eleven miles from this city.
From the testimony it appears that
John Nance had written - letter to the
wife of John Atkinson and that this
band OF negroes went to the church for
the purpose OF having Il row with John
Nance and made threat that they
would kill the negro that night.
This band OF "diabollcal demons" as
the solicitor termed them. proceeded to
the negro church to execute this design.
They did not attend the sevices, but lay
i'll wait around the church until the ser.
vices were over.
The night was Il dark one, but the
band was clearly recognized by a torch
which Edmund Nance, father Of the de-
ceased, held for his wife and little chl-
dren to see the road home. After lit.
tie the quarrel grew warmer, and bullets
were flying in all directions.
Sam Nance was shot through the
lungs, another negro was shot through
the hat and Thornton Nance was killed.
| The trial was begun on Tuesday last
at noon and was ended last night about
ii O'Clock. The State was represented
by Lewis w. Simkins and Solicitor
| -, orl l,n
son & Richey.
The defence argued ably for the band
For seven they tried to prove an alibi
tor the remaining three they claimed
that the evidence showed that Thornton
Nance was killed by Henry Suber, one
OF the ncglOcs who fled and had nevt
been arrested.
The jury remained out about three
hours and cturUed verdict of guilty
with recommendation to the mercy OF
the Court. The prisoners were brought
into the Court room about ii O'Clock
this morning to receive the sentence.
"A motion was make by Dir. johnson
Tor new trial on the ground that his
Ponor had erred in the charge TO tho
jury. The motion, however, was over.
ruled.
The negroes appeared to be little con
cerncd during the whole of the trial, but
there was sad scene in The Court room
as the Judge pronounced tho sentence O.
death. The wives and relatives of tho
prisoners were present and could moi
restrail their feeling, and broke forth in
bitter walls, and ere ordered by Ii
Court to be carried out.-Ncws ant
Courier.