The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-10-07
were women, and all were peacefully

curSlon to Charleston, and the tragedy
of the day before seemed to be entire.
ly forgotten by the volatile blacks. II
was thought that Frank Cheesebor-
ougb, the negro rioter most wanted,
might board the excursion train at st.
Matthews, and detail of fifteen men,
five from each company present, were
sent down the road under command
of First Lieut.. Adam Moss of the
Edisto Rifles, to apprehend the negro,
should he appear. They returned al
10 o'clock, reporting that Cheesebor'
ough had not put in appearance.
In the meantime, Art Vincent, one
of the negroes for whom warrant
was out for, came into town, and gave
himself up. He said che reckoned that
it was the best thing he could do. "
He was sent to Orangeburg later on.
While waiting for the return of the
military detachment sent to st. Mat.
thews, the soldier laddies were highly
entertained by Col" Bacon, a color
ed light of the community, who deliv'
cred Rhythmic" address on the glo
ries, past and present. of the South.
It should be added that there was con
siderably more rhyme than reason in
"Colonel's" remarks.
At 9:45 a. M, the entire command
was under arms, and awaiting the up
train bearing the st. Matthew's detach:
ment. Immediately upon the arrival
of the train, Major R. M. Claffy gave
the word, and the line OF march was
taken up for Mr.. Will Tabers place
where the inquest on Joe Robinson,
the negro killed yesterday, was to be
held. The troops led the way, and
were followed by Sheriff John H
Dukes, Coroner D. E. Dukes, DR.. w.
w. Wolfe, intendant, Or. Charles R.
Taber, and deputy sheriffs and citizens.
About a mile and a hal out of town,
Sam Williams, another ringleader,
stepped out into the road and gave
himself up. Williams lives on Mr.. W.
@. Hane's place. He was one of the
noisest of the mob last Saturday, and
at that time declared they "had TWEEN.
ty bullets to the whites one." Things
were different today with Williams.
He was a thoroughly frightened ne
gro, and the old saying, Meek as
Moses" is inadequate to describe Will:
liam's humility. He said, when
seed the gov'ment had done got after
me I knowed it was time far me to
give up" Williams was placed in q
cart, and taken out to the scene of the
inquest, whence he was afterwards
reconveyed to town, and this evening
was placee on the Orangeburg train.
As Joe Robinson's house was ap'
preached crowd of some twenty five
negroes was seen lingering about the
premises, and it was feared some
trouble might ensue, but happily this
fear was groundless, and no! even
a murmur was heard during the sub
sequent proceedings. The militia
drew up in front of the house, and the
negroes, especially the women, were
evidently awed by the display OF force:
Coroner Dukes at once empaneled
his jury. 1t comprised the following
gentlemen: Foreman, ]. G. May
nard, and Jurors D. 81. Trezevant, s,
p. Bozzard, D. L. Collier, w. r.
Taber, f. r. Bozzard, j. M. Cross
land, A. FL. Wienges. P. j. Tate, W.
G. Hane, A. E. Hane, J. W. Davis
J. E. Shirer, and A. Fl. Wannamaker.
Robinson's pistol was placed in evi
dence. It was of the Harrington q
Richardson make, 3S-calibre. One
chamber was empty but the Other
four were filled. Two Of the cart
ridges bore the impress Of the ham
mer, and it was only their failure tc
explode that saved Deputy Mitchell's
life when Robinson drew on him yes
terday afternoon.
The first witness sworn was DIR. T.
R. Taber, Jr. He testified as follows
"As I rode up in company with Mr.
Mitchell, one of the deputy sheriffs,
found Joe Robinson standing in hi
door with his pistol drawn, cover
ing Mr.. Douglass and John Da
vid Shlrer. They were demonstrating
with him, and asking him to put up bi
gun, as they did not wish to harm
him. He replied that he would DO
put up his gun, and added that h'
would kill the first white - tina
came on the steps Mr.. Mitchell ther
ran up and told Robinson to put ul
his gun. Hereplied that he would not
and Immediately snapped his pistol a
Mr.. Mitchell, who in return fired or
him with his shotgun. That is all
know about it. Robinson was con
tinuing to snap his pistol until he wa:
fired at by Mr.. Mite hell"
Mr.. James Vincent, who was mex
called, deposed as follows: 81 live or
j. G. Maynard's place, l was selling
tickets when 1 met up with these gen
tlemen, and l went with them II
Frank Cheeseborough's house frs
and then to Art Vincent's, and ther
to Joe RoDinson's house. Robinson
drew his pistol on Deputy Sher
itf Mitchell, and cursed him. Mr.
Mitchell told him to lower his pistol
Robinson replied, No, G. d. it
I won't, and raised his pistol on Mr.
Mitchell. and then Mr.. Mitchell sho
him. We then went on around te
Clarence Hane's to arrest Sam vii
liams, but he was not at home. After
this we came on to Fort Motto. Mr.
Mitchell shot Robinson in self-de
fence"
Deputy Sheriff, w. i. Douglass
being duly sworn, said: Yesterday,
between 1 and 3 o'clock, I, Mr.. Jno
David Shirer and DR.. @. r. Taber, Jr.
came here in search of Art Vincent
We rode up in front of the house ano
Joe Robinson began to curse at us be
fore we even got to the house. L ask
ed him what he meant, as we had moi
come there for him, but for Art Vim