Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-04-13

L sing ...... ........ q
Jan. 90. sling ...............
Feb. Is. sling ...... ........
l sling ............... 2
April g sings ........ ...... 36
Dec. q. 2 sings at 1a......... "A
1901.
April s sling ................ IL
1902. sling ...... ........ IL
Nov. 9 2 half pints whisky. IL
Ell "a
This liquor, I'll warrant, was pure;
and the prices not so high as those
now forced on us by revenue laws.
One of the most extravagant Incl
dents 1 ever witnessed, transpired on
the street near the house of Mr.. Ross.
Just at daylight, a Negro, called Isaac
Watson, was starting home from his
wife's house, when a mad dog jumped
out Of old Mr.. Ross's garden-the pres
ent site Of Moore & Sons brick build
ing-and attacked him. The Negro
recognized the dog as one belonging to
Dedman. Three months previous, there
had been great excitement in the vii
lage. A mad dog was known to have
passed through, which had bitten dogs,
hogs, and even one or two calves, that
afterward exhibited signs Of hydropho-
bia, and were Immediately killed. Two
Negroes reported Dedman's dog to
have been bitten, and he was request
ed to dispatch him. The dog was a
fine one and a great favorite Of his
master so he declined to kill him, but
proposed to keep the animal up in a
pen, in his yard, so as to avert any
chance Of mischief. AS it was Negro
evidence, he could not be forced to
kill the dog, although much dissatis-
faction was felt at his not doing so.
How the animal escaped from conflne-
ment was never known. AS the dog
confronted the Negro, Isaac recognize
ed him and knew his danger. He re-
PEELED the furious bound with we'll
directed blow, hitting the animal on
the side of the head with his fist, hurl-
ed him heels over head, several feet
back, and at the same time, yelling at
the top of his voice, get out! get OUT"
Again the dog sprang at the Negro.
Again he was felled to the ground, the
Negro still screaming with all the pow
Ell of his lungs, get OUT" but to no
effect were either blows or cries, for on
again came the horrid beast.
A number of persons had collected in
consequence Of the Negroes yells, most
of whom had jumped out of bed and
ran to the rescue without waiting to
put on their clothes. However, when
they saw that the big black of Ded-
mans was the cause of the outcry, ev-
cry one feared to draw near to 1saac's
relief, being afraid that the rabid crea-
ture would turn on them. Guns were
brought, but they could not be used for
fear of killing the man instead of
the dog. The Negro, knowing it was
fight for life, never dared to move
his eyes from his dreadful adversary.
He repused him again and again, by
the steady hard blows of his fist; the
dog aiming every assault at his throat.
The sweat poured like rain from the
Negros brow-every pore was swelter--
ing. From five to seven minutes did
this awful combat last, though SEEM
ingly to the intensely excited lockers
on, three times as long. One cried to
him to do this-another that; thus sug-
gesting relief. At last, Ben Chambers
called out. choke him!" Everyone re-
echoed the happy thought. Choke
him! Choke him." was heard from
all sides. AS the dog arose and
came on with mad fury, Isaac,
instead of the oft-repeated blow,
seized him very firmly with both
hands around the throat. Hold him!
Hold him." was now the cry; but the
black man did not need the admonl-
ton, for he held on with the death
grip. Sam Chambers seized a fence
rail. and ran up and broke the dogs
back with it, when he was then soon
dispatched; but Isaac never let go MS
grip on the throat until the brute was
finally dead. The Negroes clothes were
badly torn, his shirt in front entirely
gone. the cuticle distinctly marked,
but blood no where drawn.
l have witnessed many lights ooth
hefore and since, in Yorkvll!e; seen
men strip to the buff, hold their clotheS
and slap them encouragingly on the
bare back, and say, go in! know
you are not the man ever to be whip
ped" but never have ever seen any
thing to equal in ferocity or interest
the rencounter between Isaac Wat
son and Dedmans dog.
Old Mr.. Ross lived to great age,
much respected as a good man by the
entire district His faults were few
his virtues many. Though fond of his
grog, he never drank too much. l have
seen him perform the remarkable feat
of pouring his liquor into tumbler,
put it in his pocket and carry 1t to his
we'll without spilling a drop. There he
added the cool water direct from its
source. and drank his reviving bever-
age. Never was the weary wayfarer
turned from his door unrefreshed.
Comfortable bed and board he always
found given to him, whether he had
money to pay or was without. Old Mr..