The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-02
OUR PROSPERITY LETTER.
Negro Attempts an Outrage aDi Then
Hangs Himself-Riiie Company Organ
ized-Death of Miss Betsy Hunter
Other News
Special to The Herald and News.

LHPeEial w LIZ I1elalu auu News.
PROSPERITY, S. G.. May l.-Hope
Dickert says that tile Hilton Rifles
have been ordered by Gov. Tillnan to
60 to Washington to repel Cuxey's in
vading army, and that there is much
nervousness in the ranks of the rifles.
Yesterday Aunt Betsy" Hunter was
buried at Prosperity cemetery. She
was 73 years old, having never MARI led.
She lived a long and useful life, being a
good Samaritan in the truest sense.
Where ever there was sickness, pain or
suffering, there AUNT Betsy" was
found, nursing and comforting-pour-
ing i'll oil Of rich grace and the true
WINE of Christianity. She has gone to
her reward, and no woman in this
county will ever be missed like "Aunt
Betsy" She was Il remarkabl" woman,
always cheerful and happy, but never
so happy as when administering to the
wants of others. Her life was indeed
Christlike. The writer was very much
indebted to Aunt Betsy" for the bio
graphical sketches of the Hunter and
Domlnick families which appear in the
Annals of Newberry. She was the only
living person at that time that could
give the necessary information. 1t
could not now he obtaint d ut all. This
shows what an important work is the
Annals of Newberry.
Last Saturday evening q military
company was organized here under the
name of The Prosperity Rifles. In days
of yore we had rifle company here OF
the same Dame-rhe Prosperity Rifles.
That company disbanded long ago, and
ever since We have felt the great need
of such an 0rganiZltion--n military
company to rut down in4urrections
which might at any time arise by niu-
tinous and retelious factions. Now,
chat we have The Prosperity Rifles we
feel sure, in fact we are calm and serene,
for the country is now safe The officers
of the Rifles are: d. II. Witherspoon,
Captain; II. &. Lester, lst Lieutenant;
}. B. Robinson, Pad Lieutenant; aud
}. Wade Z. Hartman, Sd Lieutenant.
Last night Andrew Sheppard, col
ored. with malice aforethought, cheated
the gallows Of its just prey, by commit
ting suicide in the guard house by
hanging himself with piece of crokus
sack, one end tied TO the iron grating
in the window and the other around
his neck. The history of the case is
this: Sheppard seems to have become
infatuated with bis step daughter,
fifteen year old girl, upon whom be
had several times attempted an assault
to rape. Last Monday was his secoud
attempt made under pain of instant
death. Fortunately for the girl, Mr..
Pierce Bowers, with whom the negro
worked, came along, and caught Shep-
pard in the very act, releasing the
frightened, struggling girl before be
accomplished his purpose. The girls
mother brought her to friends house
here on Saturday for protection. Shep-
dald found out where she was and on
Sunday night came here to force ber
away with him. He was arrested by
the town authorities for breaking the
peace-was tried last night-found
guilty and fined three dollars or six
days in the guard house. Having no
money or any one to secure for him,
the council released him without bond
giving what time he asked in which to
pay his fine. AS soon as he was re-
leased by the council be was arrested
by special constable under a warrant
for assault and attempt to rape, issued
by Trial Justice Fellers, upon all affi-
davit made by Nancy Boukuight, his
step daughter, offering Mr.. Pierce Bow
ers as witDess. The incontrovertible
evidence seemed more Than be could
bear. He empbatically denied the
charge until told that Mr. Bowers would
testify as to the truthfulness of the
charge. He then seemed to lose all
hope, and on the way to the guard
house remarked to the constable "well
l reckon III be hung" This morning
when the constable opened the guard
house door to feed the prisoner, be was
shocked to find Sheppard suspended to
the iron grating in the window dead,
in which place it remains in position
awaiting the arrival of the coroner
While the fellow no doubt deserved
lynchiug, and there was some little
talk among the negros ofa lynching bee,
yet this correspondent can most truth
fully testify that there was 20 lynch
ing, but that Sheppard terminated his
lite with bis own hands and alone.
TI-Rr