The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-02-25
Summary JUSTICE.
Two Desperadoes Who Had Terrorized a
County Lynched.

SSHNiNI WV iS-.
Two Desperadees Who Had Terrorized a
County Lynched.
GAINESVILLE. Fla, Feb. lS.-Mike
Kelly, a white man, and Tom Champion,
negro, from Arrendova, were lynched
in this city last night at 1870 by a crowd
of outraged and masked citizens, who
went to the jail where Kelly and Cham
pion were confined, and, having over
powered the armed guard of FIVE white
men stationed there, forced the jailer to
give up his keys.
Having received the keys, the vigi-
lants opened Kelly's cell and called him
out. He came forward quickly, but be
knew his fate was sealed.
The vigilants next secured the negro,
Champion, who set up terrible yelling
Immediately. The two men were then
escorted from the Jail to a big oak op-
posite Judge Ashby's residence.
Here few minutes respite was gwen
them, Kelly remaining quiet while the
surroundings were made hideous by the
terrific yells Of the negro.
A rope was quickly thrown over a
limb, and al given signal, up went the
bodies Of Kelly and his black pal.
The crowd then left for their respect
i've homes, and people this morning came
in crowds to view the lifeless remains,
which hung there until past 10 O'Clock
to-day.
It's not known who the lynchers were,
but public opinion sides with them. and
it is doubtful if any steps will be taken
to investigate.
THE STORY OF THE CRIME.
Gainesville. has been in state of ex-
citement since Sunday night, owing to
the fact that gang Of desperadoes were
operating in that vicinity, firing guns,
robbing and burning houses, and terror
izing people.
Sunday night citizens living near the
square were awakened by the report
of a gun, and, while trying to locate it:
another report followed. Citizens ran
out Of their houses on the porches, and
among them Judge Bell, the postmaster.
While standing there ne heard several
shots in quick succession and saw
flashes about Phillip Miller's corner,
next door to the postotiice-
Thinking that some one was attempt
ing to blow open the safe in the post
office, he hastily dressed and went out.
but before he did three more discharges
were heard.
These proved to have been fired at
DR.. Phillips, who, after the first two
shorts, went out on his piazza to see
what it was.
Hearing several men coming toward
the house, he stepped from behind a
pillar of the piazza to inquire what the
trouble was, wheD he saw three or more
men in front of the house. Before he
could speak gun was fired directly at
him, then another, and just as the per-
sons passed a 3S-calibre rifle was fired
as he was retreatiug.
A policeman on the square says the
first two shorts were fired al him by un-
known men, who ordered him to get out
of the way, which he did without firing
a shot.
Investigation shows the pillars of DR..
Phillips house spllntered and riddled
with No. SHOT. The second charge
was fired directly into the open doorway,
shattering several articles upon a what
not in the hall and leaving hundreds of
holes in the paper on the wall. The di-
rection Of the shot shows deliberate aim
at the doctor, who felt his face scorched
by the first two shots.
Monday a store-keeper named T. B.
Mcpherson. who owned store two
miles from Gainesville, was shot by Kel-
ly and his gang. The affair created
great excitement, and searching parties
were organized.
Kelly was captured at Rochelle yester-
day morning, He swas suffering from a
gunshot wound in. the back, received in
a fracas with officers the day before.
Later in the day Kelly was brought to
Gainesville, and jailed along with Cham
plor. another Of the gang. The news OF
KelIy's arrival brought out the entire
city, and threats of lynching were freely
expressed, but wiser heads controlled
the crowd at first.
Late yesterday afternoon, when it
was announced that Mcpherson had
died from wounds given by Kelly and
his gang, excitement and mitigation broke
out afresh. and eliminated in the lynch
ing of the two, as above stated.