The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-10
RADICAL RULE IN RICHMOND COUNTY


Some days ago there was copied into
these columns a statement from the
Wadesboro Messenger and Intelligencer
to the effect that a coIored deputy sheriff
Of Richmond county had arrested
white man and carried him TO jail. we
also published card from Sheriff Smith
douying the statement. Having publish
cd both statements, it is but proper that
we should copy the following from our
Wadcsboro contemporary Of what Kadi-
cal rule does in Richmond county:
..It rs true that the negro deputy. one
lamp Townsend by name. did not car
nv a white man from the jail nj ROCK
iughnm 10 the court house for trial but
Sheriff Smith did not deny mat ID"
said Ilamp Townsend did carry white
man from the Jail through the streets
of Rockingham. TO the office Of justice
Of the peace 10 appear AS witness u
ease then on trial. Now, as 10 SherlH
Smiths responsibility for this outrage
he. himself. Informed this writer That
Ilamp Townsend had been deDutjzed by
him 10 serve the papers IN the case IN
which white man, Paul 1--WE believe
that is his nane) WIS wanted as a wit
ness Paul was ia jail. and Townsend,
acting as Smiths deputy, was the officer
in the case, and, as SUCH it was his
duty to 10 to the jail aud bring Paul
into court. This is a true statement Of
the ease, aud il il does not make Smith
responsible for the outrage of negro
Juggling a white man through the streets
of Rockingham. then we are no judge
Of what il takes 10 constitute response
hility
But unfortunately for Sheriff Smith.
fhe ~ a. l.. does not depend upon this
incident alone TO convict him Of having
negro deputy. We have the proof that
this same negro Townsend acted in this
capacity ia far more offensive manner
on another occasion. Below is state
ment made and signed by Il respectable
white citizen Of Rockingham, which dis
poses Of this question beyond cavil.
Here Is the statement:
Rockingham. March, 1898.
During the year 1897 Hamp
Townsend. colOred. came to my
house; not finding me at home he
left Il written note with my wife for
me, stating that he had levied on
two Of my hogs, and if | failed to
pay the taxes due for the year 1896,
in twelve days he would sell the
same to pay the taxes. This notice
was signed in the name of "Hamp
Townsend Deputy Sheriff"
1--WE omit the signature from this
statement for obvious reasons, that the
citizens of Rockingham know and APP
preciate, TO their sorrow.
Here we have Il negro, acting IN
the capacity of deputy sheriff, siezing
the hogs of white man and threatening
to sell them for taxes. If Sheriff Smith,
Republican, was not responsible for this
outrage then, pray, who was?
Then, again, if further proof We're
needed, we might instance the dunning
of Il prominent white man of the town
of Rockingham for taXes-this. too, by
the ubiquitous Hamp Townsend.
but the browning shame and disgrace
of at all is the manner in which the
said John NJ. Smith, Republican sheriff
of ,Richmond, fills the jury box of the
county with negro tails jurors. We are
informed that it is frequently the case
AltSik ~ ma JOiltF OA' JtANAS "a
county are negroes.
"And, in this connection, we want to
call attention to the fact that the grand
jury before which Miss Lille Cole, the
young lady recently so brutally out
ragged by the negro Evans, appeared to
tell her terrible tale of woe and shame
had ON it three negroes. Think of that,
Nc white men of Arson county, and
then say whether YOU have not great
cause for thankfuness, in that you are
ruled by Democrats-white men--and
not by Republicans-negrOes.
Before closing this article We want
to say. in justice to Sheriff Smith, that
we found during our Investigations that
he WAS considered by the good people of
Rockingham by far the most decent and
respectable white Republican of the
whole gang who rule Richmond county.
1t would be well for our readers in
white counties to preserve this article
to confound the Radical politicians who
will be around soon with their blanket
falseIhoods denying all negro rule III
the East.