The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-07-17
LynchIng In GrsenyilIe.

GREENvILLE, July 15.-An armed mob
from the upper part OF this county forcl-
bly entered the Jail here at an early hour
this morning and lynched Ira Johnson, a
negro, who killed Frank Langford, a
white man, at Piedmont last Saturday.
AS result the townspeople are intensely
excited over the reported threats OF the
negroes to give dose Of the same medl-
cine to James Lewis, white man, now
in the same Jail, also charged with MUIR
der.
The Butler Guards and the Greenville
Guards were called out this afternoon by
kilograms from the Governor, and are
ready to quell any possible disturbance:
The former company is guarding the Jail
and the latter resting on its arms in their
armory ready to 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 colored population are avow-
edly indignant, but up to midnight no
sign of trouble has appeared. There are
no negroes in Main street and several ru-
mors Of their meeting together to make
mischief have been Investigated to no
purpose.
Every policeman on the force is on duty
and the members of the fire department
are about their machine houses ready for
any incendiary fires, should this much
dreaded species Of revenge be resorted to.
Except for these and the soldiers most OF
the citizens are at home looking out for
their property and families:
The lynching party is believed to have
come from the Marietta section of the
county, where Langford lived, Joined by
few from Piedmont Their numerical
strength is variously estimated, but prob
ably one hundred will cover the number.
They came into town entirely unexpect-
edly about Q O'Clock this morning and
knocked at the Jail door with an axe.
The taller, Homer Story, opened 1t and
In went the leaders of the party and de-
manded the keys. He stoutly and per-
sistently refused to give them up, but
they were finally found in his re- n and
the negro secured. While looking .r the
keys Sheriff Gilreath, who was at home
asleep and who was awakened by po-
licsman, came up to the edge ef the crowd,
but was stopped by an armed picket, who
levelled shotgun at his head.
While attempting to passthe sentry the
sheriff saw the men come from the jail
with the prisoner. They carried him
away Immediately, some being on horse
back, and some in buggies and wagons.
They went out the Buncombe road to the
Perry place and there, near the road side,
hanged him. The party then dispersed,
leaving the body hanging. In was cut
down BY. the authorities and brought to
the city to-day. -.
For week past there have been threats
of lynchipg Johnson, and In consequence
an unorganized body Of colored men has
been seen nightly on Broad street near
the Jail. Several times they dispersed by
request of the, mayor, sheriff and chief
Of police, bnt Thursday night negroes
who were disorderly were arrested and
heavily fined. The authorities assured
the negroes that their presence was un-
necessary and that the man would be
protected, SO none were there last night.
tits the failure to protect the prisoner
which has caused the excitement among
the negroes. The better element Of the
race are disposed to talk gloomily OF the
situation as an.example Of injustice, while
the moro reckless are disposed to talk
violence. However, it is probable that
there will be no trouble tonight.
Johnson's counsel said to-day that ne
had six witnesses who would swear that
Langford had snapped his pistol at him
twice before the negro fired.
The military companies responded
promptly, The Greenville Guards were
called first and afterwards the Buffers.
Every man on each company roll who is
in the city is on duty. The body Of
johnson was riddled with bullets.-Spe-
ctal to Ne,us and Courier.
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