The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-04-17
WILL SOON HANG.
The Remarkable Case of George
town Negro Murderer.
BR0WNFIELD, A BLACK BARBER
Has Been Saved for Three Years
from the Galiows, Attempted
Suicide Recently, But
Courage Failed.

Suicide Recently, But
Courage Failed.
| One of the most unique cases in the
annals OF crime exists in Georgetown.
John Browntield, the negro barber who
killed J. G. Scurry, Il white man, on
Sept, 30, 1900, is still alive and con-
fined in the county Jail, although once
tried, convicted and sentenced to be
hanged on Dec. 81, 1900.
The case has excited widespread in
| tcrcSt and at various times occupied
the attention of every court from the
humble magistrates TO the United
States supreme court ut Washington
and, although the verdict Of every tri-
Ulinal has been against the negro, yet
he is still living and no date set for
his execution. Sheriff NIcIIcithen Of
that county readily asscntcd to allow
the prisoner to be seen in his cell.
| The Changing OF the massive iron
doors as tho bolts were thrown back
aroused the prioner from his cot in
his cell where he had been quietly con-
vcrsing with his fellow prisoners
through the bars. He Immediately
put on his hat and stood in the open
door, apparently ready TO meet any
fate that might bcfall him. The negro
is about "a years old, tall erect and
his long confinement uf nearly 81
months has reduced his weight to
about pa pounds. In answer To the
question ii he still felt confident that
lie would yet escape the gallowS, he
replied:
My chances now look pretty slim,
and am the victim of Caucasian
prejudice. ought not to be hanged,
for at the time of the trouble was in
my barber shop when Mr.. Scurry
came in to collect delinquent taxes,
under an execution issued by MagiS-
tratc liucks. Scnrry told me that il
| did not pay taxes that he would ar
rest me and told him that he could
not arrest me without a warrant.
lie grabbed me in the collar and
threw pistol in my face and told mc
that he would show me- Icaught the
pistol with both hands and turned it
to one side to keep him from shooting
me and | then wrenched the pistol
from his hands and shot him several
times. left the shop and ran up the
street, but was caught by Il policeman
and put in jail where l have been ever
since. l was not responsible for. any
j thing else that happened. i Nv a5tor-
Iney MIR. A1itcEcll-a Charleston negro
hwyer-has written me saying that a
petition to the governor is circulated
asking him to commute my sentence
to life mprisonmcnt.''
This is about the substance of his
story. Noticing that he kept his hat
pulled down over his eyes, he was
asked to take it off, but he drew him
self up and said: No sir, l won't dc
that" The sheriff, who was standing
near, was appealed to and he ordered
the negro to take of his hat. lie
made the same reply to him, but in
stanlly 1T was Snatchcd from his head
and in the top was pasted n small
mirror, in Which, perhaps, he often
admired himself, for the bump of self
esteem is very prominent on his era
mum.
Johh Browniicld killed j. G. Scurry
on Sept. %. 1900, and was placed in
jail the same afternoon The next
night race riot at the Jail was avert
cd only by the cool, decisive action of
the white citizens. The local military
companies were called out and the
governor appealed TO for more troops.
one company from Sumter and two
from Charleston were sent here, for
which the legislature ut its next scs-
sion had to appropriate about 50, 100.
| Ihe ringleaderS were arrested and
heavily fined, one or them serving a
sentence Of one year in the penitpn-
tiary. In November OF the same year
Brownflcld was tried before Judge
Gary and sentenced to be hanged the
next month, Dec. 81. His negro at
torneys appealed to the State supreme
| court, who several months afterwards
confirmed the verdict OF the circuit
court. While the case was pending in
the supreme court, little more than
two years ago, Browniicld burrowcd il
hole through the brick wall Of the jail
with the foot Of Il stove and made his
escape, but was rccapturcd within an
hour. as soon us he learned that the
State supreme court had decided
against him he attempted to end his
miserable existence by taking an over
dose or laudanum, but prompt mcd-
Cal aid saved his life.
His attorneys carried the appeal to
the United States supreme court on
the plea that there were no negroes on
the jury which convicted him, but
this court, within the last month, de-
clded against him. Every one Thought
that l;rowntield would be resentcnced
by Judge Gage at the court or genera
sessions which adjourned at George
town last Saturday, but it seems that
The United States supreme court. ur-
der the law, has 30 days within which
to return to The State the papers in
the case from which they cminate,
and the allotted time will not expire
until tomorrow. Hence the negro has
new lease on life until June 18th,
when Judge Gary, who originally
heard the case, will probably rcscn-
tcncc him to be hanged.
Monday Il week ago Brownticld swal-
lowed large quantity Of paris green
in another attempt III suicide, but be-
came frightened and sent for the
sheriff and a physician, who again
saved his life. When asked why he
made the attempt lie replied: ANY
kind OF death is preferable to the dis