The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-07
OUTRAGE UPON NEGROES.
Fisndish Treatment of Man and Two
womcn-Thsy Are Stripped Naked and
Bentcn.

Fisndish Treatment Of Man and Two
womcn-Thsy Are Stripped Naked and
Bsnten.
Columbia, 8. c., Dec. GA dastardly
crime was committed last Monday
night in Colleton county, near the Barn
well and Hampton lines, but was not
generally known in that vicinity until
Wednesday morning, when the bodies Of
two Of the victims. stripped Of their
clothing, were found-one being an old
woman. They had been taken out and
beaten to death with new buggy traces
Liquor seems to have been the incen-
tive for the crime.
Several months ago st. Nicholas
church, in Barnwell county, was broken
open and robbed, Bible and some pull
pit furniture being taken away. A young
negro, named Isom Kearse, who disap-
peared from the neighborhood about
that time. was suspected Of being the
thief.
Four Barnwell men got information
that he was at his old mothers home,
near BroxtOn Ford, and they went over
there on Monday night last. These men
got two others from the neignborhood
to assist them. one being Frank Hers
They then went to Isom's house and
found him coming out of the door.
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, 1t 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 Mamma Hannah" and his
young wife, girl about II years Of age,
who has q five months old infant. At
the ferry the party held up and awaited
the arrival of the detail. When the
women arrived. none of the three would.
or could, tell anything about the church
property.
stripped Naked and beaten.
Upon their refusal they were all
three stripped naked and beaten with a
new buggy trace, which. 1t was said.
was almost worn out. The man was
given about $50 lashes and fell insensi-
ble. his body being in q terrible condi-
tion The women were likewise severely
beaten. The man several times pleaded
with his tormentors to shoot.him. The
old woman broke away and dashed into
the woods. The young woman did like
wise, going in q different direction. The
men built a fire near the insensible ne
gro, threw his old coat over him and
left.
On Wednesday night the body was
found where 1t was left. cold In death.
1t had been there q night and a day.
| About LOO yards away In the swamp,
lying in a pool Of water about knee
deep. was found the old woman's body,
cold and stiff. She had fallen lace
downward with her hands extended
The young woman managed to find
| her way home. and is said to be In q
critical condition. She told some OF
the negroes about II Tuesday afternoon
but they seemed to be afraid to men,
tion 1t.
Trial Justice A. G. Walker held an
inquest yesterday evening, the bodies
still being where found. The Jury, CON-
posed almost entirely Of good white
men from the neighborhood. upon the
testimony Of Hers. who, 1t develops
tried to prevent the deed, and who gave
all the details. has rendered verdict
charging directly four prominent men
one physician, with the crime.