The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-18
WHOLESALE WHIPPING IN GREEN
WOOD COUNTY.
Peacenblc N'Erocs TtrroriZcd by Bands OF
Whitccaps-Flce to tho Swnnps
and Towns.
The State, 10Th. |

Il week past been terrorizol by a
gang of SC. called whitecaps engaged
in whipping negroes. Tho white
caps began Monday night Il week ago
and entered tho houses of several
negroes who were taken out and
whipped. Since then this perform
ance has been several times repeated
and the negroes are badly frightened.
The object Of the whitecaps is to
drive off negro tenants in order to
secure control at low prices of valu-
able farm lands in that section, much
Of which is rented to negroes by tho
white landlords.
Thcro is no political foundation
for the trouble, and the offenders arc
said to belong to low class of
whites. The negroes have taken to
the woods and swamps at night to
avoid tho visitation Of tho gang and
many of the colored people havo
como to Greenwood, some Of them
bringing all their possessions and re-
fusing to go back homo. Inonensivo
negroes arc said to have been whipped
and they have told Of their troubles
to white friends here, but arc afraid
to talk openly. SO far as known
none have left this country, but few
are anxious to remain in tho commu.
nifty.
Tho better class Of people dcploro
tho occurrence, and until now tho
matter has been kept quiet, but to-
day tho sheriff wired the Governor
for assistance, stating his inability
to control the situation. 1T is re-
ported that Gov. McSweeney will be
here tomorrow with Attorney Gene.
raj Bellinger, and some action will
be taken.
II docs not seem to be tho object
of tho gang to kill or seriously njure
the negroes. They simply want
them to leave tho community in order
that the lands may be rented by
white tenants. 1t is fine farming
section producing good crops but is
thickly settled by negroes although
the colored population WAS somewhat
thinned out Immediately after the
election riots in November. The ne.
grocs arc now very badly scared, and
the object Of tho whitccaps has boen
very nearly attained This is the
version of tho story as gained from
Greenwood men.
A large land owner Of that section
told mo today that ho had his ne
groes sleep in his barn for protection
and that tho colorcd population is
tcrrorizcd. Two hundred negroes
from that vicinity spent Saturday
night in Greenwood 10 avoid tho Wis
itation Of tho whitccaps.
The same mastery inactivity which
characterized tho sheriff Office in
to November riots hangs over that
Office in this instance and nothing
has yet bcon done.
jas. A. Hoyt, Jr.
TROUBLE Ar GKEENwOOD--TIIE COVER
NOR INFORMED or OPERATIONS OF
wIIITECApS
Greenwood county is afflicted as
is no other in the State. The strife
which tho Tolberts have created is
still bearing fruit in lawlcssnoss and
crime. At least such seems to be
the case. Governor McSwecnoy yes
terday received q telegram from
Sheriff McCaslan telling him that
white caps were operating in the
county, few miles from Grccn-
wood. The Governor was asked to
run up to that city, as his presence
might nave good effect The law
lossncss WAS reported to consist OF
whipping negroes. Gov McSweeney
replied tiat he could not possibly
leave the office.
Lator he was requested to order
militia to Greenwood to put down
tho disturbance. This tho Governor
declined to do until Lo could be in
formed moro fully Of the facts in tho
case. His instructions to Sheriff