The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-07-17
GreenyiIIe Under Guard.
Fearing the Midnight Torch
of Desperate Negroes.
at Lynching of Ira John
son They Threaten to Lynch a
White Murderer.

GREESvI1LE, Jul An armed
mob from the upper part of this
county forcibly entered the Jail
here at All early hour this morn
ing and lynched Ira johnson, a
negro who killed Frank Langford, a
white nan, at Piedmont last Saturday
week As result, the townspeople
are intensely excited over the report
ed threats of the negroes to give a
dose of the same medicine to James
Lewis, white man now in the same
Jail, also charged with murder. The
Butler Guards and the Greenville
Guards were called on this afternoon
by kilograms from the Governor, and
are ready to quell any possible dis
turbances. The former company is
guarding the Jail aud the latter rest
ing on arms in their armory. ready
70 march to any part of the city.
Reports have been current all day
that the negroes were to congregate
at various places, but SO far no
gathering has been seen. The color
ed population are avowedly indig-
nant, but up to midnight 10 sign of
trouble has appeared There are no
negroes on Main street and several
rumors of their meeting together to
make mischief have been investi
gated to no purpose.
Every policeman on the force is on
duty and the members of the fire de-
partment are about their machine
houses ready for any incendiary fires
should this dreaded species of re-
venge be resorted to- Except for
these aud the soldiers, most Of the
citizens are at home looking out for
their property and families.
The lyncbing party are believed to
lave come from the Marietta section
of the county, where Langford lived,
joined by a few from Piedmont.
Their numerical strength is variously
estimated, but probably 100 will
cover the number.
They came into town entirely un-
exrectediy about O'Clock this morn
ing and knocked at the Jail door with
an axe. The jailer. Homer Storey.
opened it and in went the leaders Of
the party and demanded the keys.
He stoutly and persistently refused
to give them up, but they were final.
" found in his room and the negro
secured.
While looking for the keys, Sheriff
Gilreath, who was at home and
asleep and who was awakened by a
policeman, came up to the edge Of
the crowd, but was stopped by an
armed picket, who leveled a shotgun
at his head While attempting to
pass the sentry, the sheriff saw the
men come from the Jail with the
prisoner. They carried him away
immediately-some being mounted
and some in buggies and wagons
out the Buncombe road to the Perry
place, and there, near the roadside,
hung him. The party then dis
persed, leaving the body hanging
1t was cut down by the authorities
and brought to the city to-day.
For week there have been threats
of lynching Johnson, and in conse-
quence, an uporganized body of
colored men have been seen nightly
on Broad street near the Jail. Seve-
raj times they dispersed by request
of the mayor, s.-riff and chief of
police, but Thursday night negroes
who were disorderly, were arrested
and heavily fined.
The authorities assured the negroes
that their presence was unnecessary
and that the man would be protected,
so none were there last night. 1t is
the failure to do this which has
caused the excitement among tl>em.
The better element OF the race are
disposed to talk gloomily on the stu
alton as an example Of justice, while
the more reckless are disposed to
talk threateniugly However, it is
probable that there will be no trouble
tonight.
The scene of last nights tragedy
was thronged all day by curious peo-
pie from the city and adjacent coun-
try The news spread to the North
Carolina line before noon 1t was
the topic of conversation in every
household and there is no doubt of
its being shock to the community
Johnson's counsel said to-day that
be had six witnesses who would
swear that Langford had snapped his
pistol at him tw ice before the negro
fred.
The military companies responded
Tho (Irpenyille Gnards /