The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-02-03

as the man WnOH ne saved was tllc
father OF Rev. \. J. Bowers. the pre-
decessor of DR.. w. c. Schaefer' as
pastor OF the Lutheran Church OF the
Ascension"
The story OF Crozier has been
brought to recent notice by the state
nent made by Mr. Thomas Dixon,
the author, that it was this incident
which furnished him the basis for his
new story, THE Clansman." An ac-
count Of his statement Of the affair
appeared in The Morning News yes
terday. Rev. Mr.. Epting, who lived
for a number of years at Newberry, is
we'll acquainted with the facts, and in
discussing the incident yesterday said,
among other things:
"Calvin Crozier was Confederate
soldier from Texas, and not from
North Carolina, as was stated. For
some reason he was delayed in his re-
! turn to Texas and reached Newberry
on Sept. s, 1865, some time after the
cessation of hostilities. Under his
care was a party of ladies, and the
party decided to spend the night in
a box car.
Late in the night some colored
troops, part, believe, Of the Thirty
third United States regiment, under
the command Of Col. Trowbridge. in
truded themselves into the car and
began making themselves very un-
pleasant. One of them finally put his
arm about the neck of one of the la
dies, and instantly Mr.. Crozier sprang
at him and ordered him to desist.
"The negro leered at him and again
made an attempt to throw his arms
about the young lady. Instantly
Crozier struck at him with small
knife, the only weapon at his
command, and slashed him badly.
The negro ran screaming from the ca,
and reported the matter to the other
negroes in his regiment.
"Shortly afterwards the negroes in
great numbers returned to the car tor
the purpose of securing revenge. Not
knowing Mr.. Crozier, they seized
upon Mr.. Jacob S. Bowers, the father
of Rev. A. J. Bowers, and, despite his
protests of innocence, were prepar-
ing to execute him.
Mr.. Crozier learned of the state
of affairs and at once went out and
informed the negroes that he was the
man who had done the cutting. Mr..
Bowers was at once turned loose and
the hero was led into an adjacent
grove and shot down, without even
| the formality of drumhead court
| martial. His body was thrown into
a shallow grave, dirt thrown over it.,
! and then the negro nurderers danced
upon the little mound.
The annals state that Col. Trow-
bridge, the white officer in command
| OF the negroes, refused to interfere in
| 1he lynching and that he afterwards
stated that he took upon himself the
ertire responsibility for the affair.
One officer went to Crozier, after he
was bound, and begged him to say
that he was no! the mar To this the
| brave fellow replied, Loose me, and
I'll show you whether / am the man
or not
There were few white men in the
country at that time" continued Mr..
| Epting, "and nothing could be done
TO save the life of this heroic defender
| of womanhood. Later the citizens OF
Newberry removed his body to Rose
mont cemetery, the city burial ground,
and over his grave have erected a
| white marble shaft on which is record
ed the facts concerning this hero's
J death.
"On the site of the grove where this
lynching took place now stands a
large cotton mill 1t is but a short
distance from the railway station, and
to this day it is pointed TO as marking
the death place of true soldier and
| a brave man.
"The first story Of the tragedy that