The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-10-18

on the subject OF this lynchlng ana
to my entire astonishment, they volc-
ed the sentiment "If there was an
excusable lynching this was ii"
Where are we going to end up-these
horrible midnight murders by lynch
law on all hands and public sentiment
fast heading the way? A sense OF
paralysis came upon me with the
darkness of Monday night.
On Tuesday morning called
special meeting of the town council.
Every member with the town mar
shall, met US (Sheriff Hunter and my
self) in special meeting. explain
ed that the governor had sent me to
investigate the lynchi-::--:: they were
sworn officers, like myself; wanted
their help, Morrison had been taken
from their custody; they were some
what responsible on this account; |
wanted them to deal with me in a
perfectly honest and straightforward
manner; I would try to do the same
with them; there was no use in my
wasting effort if they were in SYM
pathy with the lynching or would OBJ
struct or refuse to help me in the in
vestigation. My appeal for help was
in the interest Of law, the name of
the state and our Maker.
After this I asked each and every
one of them the following questions:
I. Are you in sympathy with the
lynching?
2. Will you help the states officers
in ferreting out and bringing to trial
these lynchers, honestly?
3. Was this lyncting done by town
folks or from the surrounding coun-
try?
To these three questions I have
verbatim answers on file. Two alder
men answered that they were indif-
ferent as to the lynching and would
not help to ferret out the lynchers.
The mayor and one alderman answer
ed that they were not in sympathy
with the lynching and would help the
state officers provided it did not in
terfere with their business Cloth Of
these had much business}. One alder
man had done all he could to prevent
the lynching and would do nothing
more. The clerk was in sympathy
with the lynchers and would not help
to ferret it out and would cover up
evidence if he knew Of any.
The town marshal was not in SYM
pathy with the lynching did all he
could to prevent it and would help
all he could to ferret it out; but was
busy with collecting taxes.
AS to the third question The opin-
ion of three of those present was that
the lynching was done by country
people and of four that the crowd
that did it was mixed; but by four
that the country people predominant
ed, because nobody could be missed
from the town after Morrison was
taken from the guard house. This
last is the opinion Of the great ma
jority of the townspeople to whom I
talked. After interviewing the town
officers. I requested the town marshal
to go to every business place and an
nounce that I would remain at the
council chamber until 5 o'clock p.
m. (taking 80 miutes for dinner) and
wanted to confer with anyone who
would give me any assistance. |
urged the marshal not to pass by a
single man, if possible. AS result
six persons called on me, one of
them a member of the jury of inquest
on the lynching of Morrison. This
member of that jury had taken a
hand in lynching bee to the extent
of voting to hang the culprit; but this
was for the usual CD crime Of all
six none knew anything except as
''they say"
I tried to meet The States cores
pondent. sent word to him and went
to his Office. He was out of town.