The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-06
A NEGRO WHIPPED TO DEATH.
HIS OLD MOTHER DROWNED IN
FLEEING FROM THE LYNCHERs.

COlletOn County, South Carolina, the
Scene of the Cruel WOrk-A Sus-
pIeiOn That the Negro stole a Bible
and Some Furniture From n
Church the Basis of the Murder-A
Physician and Three other PrOmi-
nent Men of the County Accused of
the Crime.
Columbia, S. c., Dec. 5.-The details Of
an ugly Iynching which occurred in this
state last Monday night came to light
tonight. It took place down in Colleton
county, near the BarnweH and Hampton
lines, and was not known generally IN
that vicinity until Wednesday morning.
when the dead bodies of two of the victims
stripped Of their clothing, were found
one being an old woman. They had been
taken out and beaten to death with
new buggy trace-the mans offense be
ing that he was suspected of having stoi-
en- Bible and some furniture from a
church and the wOmans offense being
that she was supposed to know something
of it,
Liquor seems to be the only excuse for
the deed, If excuse there can be.
The affair occurred in Broxton township.
Colleton county. At Broxton bridge or
ford, as it is frequently called.
Several months ago, St. Nicholas church
IN Barnwell county, was broken open and
robbed, Bible and some pulpit furniture
being taken away. A young negro named
Isom kearse, who disappeared from the
helShDorhood about that time. was sus-
pected of being the thieH He had become
somewhat notorious for thefts md had
been suspected of burning a store some
time ago.
In some way four Barnwen men bad
gotten Information that he was at his old
mothers home near Broxton Ford, and
they went over there on Monday night
last. These men got two men from the
nelghborhood to assist them one being
FRANK HERS. They then went TO Isom's
mouse. They found him just coming out
of the door
The party took the negro nut a rope
around his neck and tied him behind their
buggy. Then they drove to the ferry, two
miles away, very rapidly. The poor negro
kept up as long as he could and il is said
that finally he fell and several times was
dragged along. On the way two Of the
party We're sent back to get the negro's
aged mother, odd Mauma Hannah" and
his young wife, girl about Il years of
age, who has five months-old infant.
At the ferry the party held up and
awaited the arrival of the detail When
the women arrived none of the three
would or could tell anything about the
church property. Upon their refusal they
were all three stripped naked and beaten
with new buggy trace, which it is
said was almost worn out. The man was
given about $50 laShes and fell insensi-
Bile, his body being in a terrible condi-
ton. The women were likewise severely
beaten. The man several times pleaded
with his tormentors to shoot him The
OLD woman broke away and dashed into
the woods. The young woman did like
wise, going in a different direction The
men built fire near the insensible negro,
threw his old coats over him and left.
On Wednesday morning his body was
found where it was left cold in death.
1t had been there one night and one
day.
About 100 yards away in the swamp, ly-
ing in a pool Of water about knee deep
was found the old womans body, cold and
stiff. She had fallen face downward with
her hands extended
The young woman managed to find her
way home, and is said to be in a critical
condition She told some of the negroes
about il Tuesday afternoon, but they
seemed to be afraid to mention it,
Trial Justice A. c. Walker held an in
quest yesterday The bodies still lay
where they were. found; The jury, COM
posed almost entirely of good white men
from the neighborhood, upon the testi-
mony of Hers, who, it develops, tried to
prevent the deed, and who gave all the
details, has rendered a verdict charging
four prominent men, one physician, with
the crime.