The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-27
THE ATTEMPTED LYNCHING.
Richard Wash Was Wanted Monday
Night-The Mob Desired TO Inter-
view Him on the Subject of u Re.
cent Mnruer.

view Him on the Subject of y Re.
cent Murder.
While 1t is true that Sheriff Nance was put
on notice that lynchers would call Monday
night at the jail for the alleged murderers o.
Narcissa BagWell, yet after diligent inquiry
from persons whom ne thought ougnG Co
tionai, and for this reason The lynchers came
very near carrying their purpose into execu.
ton. Jailer s. F. Nance and Deputy Snerln
Johnson were sleeping the sleep OF tne JUST
fearing no Ill, and the prisoners were dream
ing OF liberty, when they were aroused by q
knock at the front door.
Sheriff Nance, aud all his associates were
prompt and active In going to the jail. ana a. J.
lynchers didn't seem TO understand their
business Had the lynchers surrounded
the jail and arrested the jailer as ne lelt 70
give the alarm, there would nave peen NO
trouble in securing the keys TO the jail and
cells.
has been furnished TO US, which we give In
place Of anything that d we might gas,S say; No,,es
attention was called to telegram received 6y
Capt McGowan that there might be lynch.
Ing at night. He did not pay much attention
TO IL at that time. but shortly afterWard mis-
suspicious were aroused by gentleman who
wanted to go to the Jail, and making some
inquiry he began to think about the matter.
Consequently he changed the prisoner from
the cell into another SO as IS 10 1901 tne iyhGn'
About halfpast one O'Clock six men came
TO the jail and called for the Jaller >.
F. Nance, son Of the Sheriff. Mr.. Joseph L..
Johnson, Deputy Sherih. went 10 tne e. aOoI 100,
that Mr.. Shannon had prisoner to commit
for breaking into Agnew & Mattison's store at
Donalds. Mr.. johnson told the spokesman
he would tell the Jailer. Mr.. Nance, the
Taller, remarked that that is too thin, and for
him TO take care OF the little boys, and he
imm mediately left the Jail and communicated
the situation to his father, Sheriff Nance.
The Sheriff ran down to the jail and foun q
guarded by two men on horseback. He pass
ed them and crossed the street opposite the
colored Methodist church. They began 70
road. He hid behind tree until he suppos.
ed the mob had passed. 1t SO happened that
the last man, riding a coico horse, stepped
in front OF him. He halted the Sherif and
asked who was there. The Sheriff told him,
a friend. The Sheriff at once saw that 1t was
a matter Of fact that there would be an at.
tempted lynching. He Immediately notified
some Of his friends. The Abbeville Rifles
came to his support at once. There is no dis-
count on Capt. Perrin and his boys. You
can count on them every time. Upon assem-.
bling at the jail the mob had gone.
The Sheriff has telegraphed to the Governor
and sufficient guard will be at the jail to In
sure full protection OF the prisoners. .,o,,o 8,
the discharge Of his duty on this occasion
and the lynchers failed TO get possession OF
their man.
Because Of the delay on the part OF the
lynchers to act and because Of the prompt
ness OF the Abbeville Rifles in responding TO
the call of the Sheriff, the prisoners worthless
life was saved. If the lynchers had taken
possession OF the Jailer as he left, they could
nave had things all their own way. he mad
the keys in his pocket and had IN the jail
only one man 10 help guard the prisoners:
In addition to these facts, Mr.. Thomas Car
Isle, watchman at the oil mi says the lynch.
ers passed the mill going to the jail as the l:O
train rolled up TO the g., G. q n. depot. he
thought there were some thirty or forty In
the crowd. Some on horseback. and some In
buggies. When they returned from the jail
about two o'clock, they left in hurry. He
thought they had their man.
Loud speeches were heard on the public
square after two O'Clock. for several minutes,
and some Of those who we're awake listened
for the cry of fire. At half past two o'clock
pistol shots alarmed the town, and something
was said about the Jail. The armory was
opened. The drum was beat, and mem bers
OF the Rifle Club responded in short order.
Sheriff Nance is proud OF the result OF this
attemp pied lynching. He is one OF the few
sheriffs who has foiled lynchers. The Gov.
ernor yesterday sent the following dispatch :
Columbia, s. C., Nov. &c, 1895.
+. w. r. Nance, Sheriff:
You are authorized to have necessary guard
10 protect prisoners, Keep me posted.
John Gary Evans, Governor.