Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-06
AN UGLY LYNCHING.
Dead Bodies of Two of the Victims
Eound.

COLUMBIA, 5. c., December 5.-The
details Of an ugly lynching which occur
red in this State last Monday night came
to light tonight. 1t took place down in
Coileton county, near the Barnwell and
Hampton lines, and was not known gen.
orally in that vicinity until Wednesday
morning, when the dead bodies Of two
OF the victims, stripped Of their clothing,
were found-one being that OF an old
woman. They had been taken out and
beaten 70 death with new buggy traces
the mans offence being that he was sus-
pected OF having stolen a Bible and some
furniture from church. and the woman's
offence being that she was sup, Osed to
know something Of H. Liquor seems 10
be the only excuse for the deed, If ex-
cuse there can be.
The affair occurred in Broxton town.
ship Colleton county. az Broxton Bridge
or Ford. se il is frequently called. Seve-
raj months ago ST. Nicholas church. in
Barnwell county, was broken open and
robbed. a Bible and some pulpit furniture
being taken away \ young negro named
lsham kearse, who disappeared from the
neighbOrhOOd about that time WAS sus-
pected 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 Barnwen
men had gotten information that he wac
at his old mothers home. near Broxton
Ford. and they went over there on Mon
day night last These men got two men
from the neghbohood 70 assist them
one being Frank Hers
They then went TO Isham's house They
found him just coming out OF the door
The party took the negro, put 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 were sent back TO get the ne
gro's aged mother. "Od Mama Han
nah,' and his young wife, a girl about
IL years OF age, who has a 5-months-Cld
infant.
AT the ferry the party held up, and
waited 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 and beaten with
new buggy-trace. which. 1t is said. was
almost worn out
The man was given about fifty lashes.
and fell insensible. The women were
likewise beaten. The man several times
pleaded with his tormentors 10 shoot him.
The Old woman broke away and dashed
into the woods. The young woman did
likewise. going in a different direction
The men built fire near the insensible
negro threw his old coat over him. and
left. On Wednesday morning his body
was found where it was left cold in death
IL had been there one night and one day.
About 100 yards away, I'm the swamp,
lying In pool OF water. about knee-deep.
was found the old woman's body. cold
and stif. She had fallen face downward,
with her hands extended.
The wife tod some Of the negroes about
1t Tuesday afternoon, but they seemed
10 be afraid TO mention It,
Trial-Justice A. c. Walker held an in
quest yesterday evenig. the bodies still
being where found. The jury. composed
almost entirely Of good white men from
the neighborhood. upon the testimony Of
Hers, who. II develops. tried TO prevent
the deed. and who gave all the details.
has rendered a. verdict charging directly
four prominent men. one d physician. with
the crime