Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-03-05
WHITTIER ARE WE DRIFTING?
Prominent Citizens of Newberry Turn Out
to BE Robbers.

Prominent Citizens of Newberry Turn Out
to Be Robbers.
. The Columbia State, of yesterday,
contains the following startling special
dispatch from Pomaria, Newberry
county:
"The bottom has been knocked" out
of Pomaria, and the war in Cuba is
placed in the background for the time
being. 1t is we'll known that the most
daring robberies, wanton burning of
buildings have been going on here for
several years and little attention seems
to have been given it, as all thought it
was a band of "home raised Jesse
James," and none cared to strike for
fear of being struck back. So bold
and daring had this become that good
white men saw parties drive in the
place, in the bright moonlight or early
dawn, rob and leave without even re-
porting the matter or names, however
well were the parties known, for fear
of bodily injury or secret hurt.
First, E. r. Hipps's store was burn
ed robbed first, it was thought. Then
the railroad depot was forcibly entered, :,
and wagon loads taken, then Selzler 4
Co.'S store robbed of several hundred
dollars worth.
Then again the Southern railroad.
At this time detectives came, secured
a large lot of the stolen property; but
by pernicious practice and methods
of the railroad, "better compromise
and get money than to punish the cnl-
prit," the matter was hushed, although
some of the "best citizens" or so sup
posed, were implicated.
Then came the burning of Colonel
Holloway's ginhouse and other build
ings.
Then the last, by which it is hoped
the parties are trapped and broken up,
was that two weeks ago. D. Hipp's
large store of plantation supplies was
robbed. Mr.. Hipp lay apparently
quiet; but detective, in the guise of
a "picture enlarger," came upon the
scene. He found a wagon load and
two buggy loads of the stolen goods in
the house of Mr.. A. F. Riser, former
clerk; also in the barn 40 kegs of
blasting powder belonging to the rail-
road. This was in house near the
railroad built for that purpose. The
house was burned, and, it was sup
posed, the powder, too, until its find
ing. Mr.. Riser lived with his father,
a most estimable citizen and strict
church member; well-to-do farmer.
Goods of a small nature were found in
other houses of men Of good repute.
So far, the authorities have arrested
A. F. Riser and brother, Mr.. Bick-
ley and several Negroes, one the re-
nowned "blind tiger" and "dispensa-
ry enemy" Villius Baker. There is
no particle of doubt that there are a
large number interested, and what is
so astonishing, so much so as to bor-
der on disbelief, is that some of the
most well-to-do farmers, men of fami-
lies and strict church members, some
even of wealth, are thought to be i'm
plicated and should any one "peach"
on his pals, then, in that case, l can
only say "the end is not yet" The
question the good people are asking
each other is: "Wbither are we drift
ing" when some of our best men are
turning robbers and firebugs.
NEwBERRY, March 3.-Jas. A. Riser
and his three sons, Albert F., Joe and
Willie, and John Buckley, white, and
Willis and William Baker, colored,
were arrested today at Pomaria, this
county, charged with robbing the store
of D. Hipp, at Pomaria.
The case was worked up by Detect
i've Holloway and the stolen goods
were found in possession of all. Riser
and his sops stand well in the county.
In default of $3.50 bond they were
committed to Jail for trial next week.