The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-13
A NEGRO LYNCHED.
THE MYSTERIOUS HANGING OF | AW-
RENEE BROWN.

Stilton--Arrested and Dischsrged--
Hanged ard RiddIed with Bullets Later
ORAEGEBURG, Jan. G.-The people
Of our city were thunderstruck TINS
morning when it was made known
that there had been lynching within
three miles of here last night. The
following are the facts as ascertalned
Early this morning the ]ileless body
of Lawrer ce Brown, a well-bullt ne
gro of about 20 years, was found hang
ing from the danger signal at the
crossing of the old stage read and The
South Carolina and Georgia railroad,
one mile from Stilton, and about three
miles from Oraneeburg. How it got
there is still a mystery to every one,
Several bullet and gunshot wounds
were found on the body.
The post from which The body was
hanging is about Is feet high and 3
feet from the track. The face Of the
corpse was turned towards the post
and his back 10 the railroad. Pinned
to his back was found placard with
the following inscription:
"Notice to all whom it may concern
Judge Lynch's court is in session to-
night for the protection of our proper:
ty, and by the help of God he Will
convict and execute any man, woman
or child that burns or destroys our
property with fire. We will protect
our homes and property and our
neiehbors shall not suffer loss from
the hellish fire bugs. Let this be a
warning to others" ,
Coroner Dukes went to the scene OF
the lynchinr early this morning and,
after empaneling jury, of II reliable
men. with Capt. 6. w. Brunson as
foreman, commenced the inquest.
lsam Brown, brother of the deceased,
testified that late last night he heard
several shots fired in the direction OF
the crossing, which is about half a
mile from his house. and later he saw
three persons on horseback from that
direction, but could not tell who they
were, whether negroes or whites, or
even if they were men or women. lie
attached no importance whatever to
these circumstances until he found
that his brother had been lynched.
Mr.. R. E. Wapnamaker testified
that he also heard several shots fired
last night about the same hour as
sworn to by the negro, but thought
nothing of it, as it was very common
occurrence. No one knew until today
what those shots meant, but now there
is no doubt but that those with the
rope used, were the means OF sending
the soul of Lawrence Brown into
eternity. Whether or not justice has
been done, time alone will prove.
Following are the facts and circum-
stances which undoubtedly led to this
lynching: On last Friday night the
barn of Mr.. R. Z. Wannamaker, who
lives at Stilton, was burned to the
ground, proving very severe loss to
the owner. Lawrence Brown was
suspected of the crime and lodged
in Jail to await preliminary hearing.
Mr.. Wannamaker said he had strong
proof against Brown, but as there were
others implicated also, and he wished
to catch the whole crowd, he decided
yesterday to withdraw the charge
against Brown, turn him loose and IN
this way, with the aid of detective,
discover who the others were. Ac-
cordingly yesterday (Tuesdayl the
charges against Brown were with
drawn and he was sent on his way re-
joicing, but his JOY was apparently
short lived. Brown didn't 60 straight
to his home, and nothing more was
heard of him until his ghastly corpse
was found dangling by the side ofthe
railroad. Who did the deed, no one
knows, and it will very likely always
remain a mystery. There are two
theories sadvanced-one is that Browns
accomplices, fearing expose at his
hands, committed the deed and placed
the placard on his back to misle ad
those interested. Another is that it
was done by the friends and neigh
bors of Mr.. Wannarnaker, who sym.
pathized with him in his great loss of
property. No one ian tell which OF
these is correct.
This is the sc second time Mr.. Wanna
maker has been burnt out in about
two years. A little over two years
ago. ut night, Mr.. R.. E Wannamaker
had his barn and outbuildings burnt,
and the very next night those Of MIR.
E. N. Wannamaker, who also lives at
Stilton, were burnt. Several negroes
are now serving terms in the peniten-
tiary for these crimes. Coroner Dukes
was not satisfied with the result of
today's inquest, so adjourned the in
quest until tomorrow, when it is hoped
that other facts will be made known.
Some excitement and indignation pre-.
walls among the negroes, but no trou-
BILE is feared. The coroner is using
his best endeavors towards finding the
guilty parties, but whether or not ne
will succeed is yet to be seen. 1t is
hoped, however, that success will
crown his untiring efforts.
DIR. T. A. JEFFORDS,
irregular licensed practicing ply sician
of the county of Orangeburg and State
of South Carolina being duly sworn,
says that at the request Of Coroner D.
E. Dukes and q jury OF inquest empan-
elled in the case OF South Carolina VS.
Lawrence Brown, deceased, he exam
med the dead body of Lawrence
Brown in the public stage road about
three and half miles from Orange.
burg, and found the neck of the de-
ceased broken, pistol bullet on the
left side under the skin, about four
inches below a line drawn through
the nipples and about five inches from
the meoian line, one pistol ball in the
lett groin and about four inches from