The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-09-21
4 FLORIDA FEUD.
a Bailif Chased Under House and
Killed by a Mob.
EIGHT MEN UNDER ARREST
Two Murders Have Resulted From
Excursion Train Row, in
which Two Men Were Cut
to Death

Another chapter has to be written
in the sensational occurrences that
have marked the little town of Bax-
ter Florida, during the past few days.
Thursday night Bailif R. T. Thrift
made an effort to arrest the Altmans
for the murder Of Jackson Duncan and
James Riley on the train last Sunday
night, but he met with such warm
reception that he went to his house
and gave up the attempted arrest.
Later a crowd gathered at his house
and when he came out he was fred
upon. He returned the fire and killed
one Of the men, said to be a white
man named John Dowling.,
Then Thrift, his gun being empty,
ran under the house to escape the
crowd that was after him but he. vas
pulled out and shot to death, his body
being riddled with bullets. Reports
from Baxter stated that more trouble;
was imminent. Citizens asked that:
t,,,e military be sent there to protect
them and some have left the place;
rathe-- than be mixed up in the bloody:
riot which seems imminent. e: {.
A message was sent to ValdoSta,H
Ca, asking if a military company
could be sent there but the
local officers were at Camilla and:
besides that the trouble happened
in Florida beyond the reach OF the:
Georgia authorities. 1t is said that
the dispute over the State line is one;
OF the reasons the 6,tmans, give as to-
why they did not wanS Thrift to arr
rest them. They have Said all along
that they would not submiSs TO arrest
by any but authorized officers: They
claim that their crime was committed
in Georgia, in a strip Of territory
formed by a bend in the ST. Mays
river and they will not be arrested by
Florida officials though they live f6,
Florida. :Esss
It was understood that appeal had
been made to Gov Jennings for milf
tary protection OF aid In arresting the;
Altmans and the governor promised
that the militia would be sent there
Baxter is policed by two companies Of
Florida militia following the killing
OF four men resulting from the feud
between the Altmans and Duncars.s
Shortly before dark Sheriff Herndons3
and his posse brought In eight prison
ers alleged to be implicated in the
killing Of Jackson Duncan, the negro
and Rufus Thrift. The men arrested
are: Barlow Crews, Berry Crews, Riley
Reden, Caney Roden, Bird Johns,
John Eddy, Jesse sapp and Homer
Eddy. -
Some were arrested In Florida and
others in Geornia. These men are.
stretched out on the floor Of shanty
resting under the guard OF the;
Suwanee Rifles Of Live Oak, the Vii
son battery Of artillery and the sher-
IFS posse. There are IL others Of the
gang. Men who were sent to see them
have just returned and report that
they have agreed to surrender them
selves and will come in voluntarily and
give themselves up. IF they do not
violate their pledges this places all OF, :
the gang in the custody Of the officers,
with the exception Of Jesse Altman
who is still at large and his where
abouts are unknown. He was seen in B
Baxter Friday but disappeared shortly
before the sheriff arrived from Me-
Clenny. 1t is thought that he too will
surrender when he finds that the
others have taken that course.