The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-01
CRAZED BY RELIGION.
NEGROES OF FMOUNTVILLE IN ASTATE
OF HYSTERlA.

| Hundreds OF Blacks Gs+ier st r Place of
| Observation-Disclosures Arranged Whero
the Faithful NJ ay Lie down and Rest.
The white People at Mountville, in
Laurens county, are Witnessing deeds
amazing ard exciting that are per-
! formed hv frantic negroes, religion
crazs6. I'wn weeks ago a church bell
was received mere for the colored
church, which sits in the southeastern
portion of Mountvilie and since that
tine not ten minutes have passed
when the sound of this bell was not
heard. Then the crisis came on. AS
soon as it was mounted in the steeple
it was rung for six consecutive hours,
after which the tolling apparatus IVES
for six hours used.
The ringing, they claim, vas to an
nounce the time of gathering to vii
ness the final burial of the devil,
whose death was announced by the
tolling. The ministers claim that they
have attended the court of heaven,
where God, the judge, after the devil
had been convicted by a jury OF
twelve representative angels from
abroad the universe, passed sentence
on him, turning him over to the COL
ored people of Mountville vicinity to
bury oncs and forever.
When this claim was announced
abr Dad an invitation sweeping every
where was sent urging all colored per-
sons to come to witness the destruc-
ton of Satan, Forthwith they began
to assemble and since two weeks ago
they have come to remain.
The first to come have not yet left
here. There seems to he spirit work
ing from home to home, causing every
one to come. The news is scattered
more and more each moment and still
they come. No signs Of food they
bring, nor drink, nor does it seem they
do aught but shout. Every passenger
| train that passes carries BY people
wondering whether such unceasing
sounds as that may be caused by joy
or woe.
The grounds are not dotted here and
there with a group, but one immense
throng fills five acres square and in
the centre packed.
A nearby cornfeld is being tram
pied down, and like wave that from
its centre spreads this people stretches
out broader and broader.
A portion shouts from one sounding
of the bell to the other-ten minutes
and then another begins. There is
petition and a response:
lord, don't call the roll till I gifts
dar," goes up from four or five thous-
and voices and they say voice speaks
out from the throne of God, saying:
81 will not call my roll till my
Mountville negroes get here"
According to their saying they hold
a position, midway between earth and
heaven and that they have no more
earthly feelings and have no memory
of the past and recognize no bodily
EEeeds.
Mountville negroes are more lnde-
pendent than negroes elsewhere in
South Carolina and have nice convey.
ances, but mules and horses are driv-
en- here to starve, receiving no atten-
ton. Each train incoming unloads
fifty or sixty negroes and they strike
a run for the church.
Benches are debris and the floor is
wreck. Women embrace men and
men each other. Now and then eight
or ten get in q tussle ard a woman
comes out half naked or more, but
still she PAGES about in wild shouting.
Their faith strengthens. Several black
maidens are stepping from timber TO
timber across an unceiled loft and
worship there; the bell now rings and
now tolls.
Now and then hands on a passing
train, by some spirit moved, desert
their post and lock themselves in this
heaven going throng.
A platform is built in front of the
church three feet high and twenty
feet square, on which negroes are laid
to recover strength and senses after
they have lost them in their shouting.
This platform is increasingly filled.
Occasionally the congregation looks
toward the east in concert and says:
'Lo! See stars and moons and suns
rolled back from our aerial path and
hear the mighty song of welcome
echoing from universe to universe.
When the sun is rising they Pat
their feet, keeping time to the music
made by angels bows as they glide
across the gray lines that fret the NOR
ming skies.
Tnunders roll and lightnings leap,
but this excited throng does not seem
to hear them.
A bicycle rider of their color, whose
faith is strong, attempted to wheel it
up to heaven by inclining a twenty
foot plank upward and by rapid speed
ascending it to run off its upper end
and fail cripple.
There is great craze among these
enthused people for raiments of white
and if one happens to arrive with
dark suit on, 50 much is at once ra.
moved as shows up white costume.
| The white people in this place are
uneasy as to what will result from
these proceedings.
1t would be useless to attempt to
disperse such congregation, for 1t is
increasing daily by 600 to 800 and as
soon as a negro arrives he falls into
their ways, insensible to all earthly
surroundings.
Shot Els wife.
William Harper, who lives eight
miles southeast of Conalton, Md. ,snot
and killed his wife about 3 o'clock
Wednesday morning. Harper claims