The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-12-11
An Ugly Lynching,
A Man and a Woman Strip
ped Naked and Beaten to
Death IN Colleton.
A Minister Tells the Story-Lynch-
ers are Known-The Coroner's
Jury Renders Verdict
Charging Four Men
With the Deed.

The details Of horrible affair
which has occurred in this State in
the las few days came to light last
night. The affair is all the more
lamentable when it is known that the
provocation was SO slight. 1t took
place down in Colleton County, rear
the Barwell 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 wo.
man They had been taken out and
beaten to death with new buggy
traces-the mans offence being that
he was suspected of of having stolen
a bible and some furniture from
church and the woman's ofense be-
ing that she was supposed to know
something of it
The details of the affair were OBJ
tained from well-known white min
lister of the gospel, who arrived in
this city last night; man OF the
highest integrity and standing in the
State. Liquor seems to be the only
excuse for the deed. if excuse can be
even claimed.
The affair occurred in Broxton
Township, Colieton County, at Brox-
ton Bridge, or Ford as it is frequent
" called. The nearest postofice is
jenny's eight miles from Fairfax,
where the F. G. aud F. and 2 4
and A roads cross one another.
THE CAUSE.
tt seems that several months ago
St. Michael's Church in Barnwell
County was broken open and robbed,
a Bible and some pulpit furniture be-
ine taken away. A young negro.
named Isom Kearse, who disappear
ed from the n;ghborhood about that
time was suspected of being the
thief. He had become somewhat
notorious for thefts, and had been
suspected of burning store some
time ago.
In some way four Barnwell men
had gotten information that he wac
at l,;s old mothers home near Brox
ton Ford, and they went over there
ON s!oaday night last. These men
got ,wo men from the neighborhood
to assist them, one being Frank
HERS. They then went to lsom's
house. They found him Just coming
out of the door
DRAGGED ALONG THE ROAD.
The party took the negro, put 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 it is said
that finally he fell and several times
was dragged along.
On the way two of the party were
sent back to get the negro's aged
mother, "old slaum Hannah" and
his young wife. girl about II years
of age, who had five months ola
infant At the ferry the party held
no and awaited the arrival Of the de-
tail. When the women arrived,
none of the three would or could
tell anything about the church pro-
perty.
STRIPPED AND WHIPPED.
Upon their refusal they were all
three stripped naked and beaten
with new buggy trace, which, 1t is
said, was almost worn out The
man was given about $50 lashes and
fell insensio!e, his body being in
terrible condition. The women were
likewise severely beaten The man
several times pleaded with his tor
mentors to shoot him. The old wo-
man broke away and dashed into the
woods The young woman did like.
wise, going in different direction
The men built fire near the insensl-
bic negro. threw his old coat over
him and left
THE DEAD BODIES FOUND.
On Wednesday morning the body
Of the man was found where it was
left. cold in death. 1t had been
there one night aud one day About
100 yards away in the swamp, lying
in f. pool Of water about knee deep,
was found the old woman's body.
cold and stiff She had fallen face
downward with her hands extended.
THE THIRD VICTIM.
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 1t Iues
day afternoon, but they seemed to be
afraid to mention it.