The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-08-23
South Carolina Chief Execu-
tive Witnesses Lynching.
TROOPS OUT OF STATE
Victim Was Negro Who Attacked
White Girl and Cut Her Throat.
Heyward's Appeal to Mob
Was in Vain.

Within the shadow of the home Of
his victim, Miss Jennie Brooks, after
having been identified by her, and
after Governor D. C. Hayward, who
went to the sc-ne of the trouble and
had addressed the mob in vain, Bob
Davis, the negro who on Monday
.murderously attacked MISS Brooks
with intenI to commit assault, and
who afterwards outraged a negro girl
Ia years old, was lynci.ed about 1880
O'Clock Thursday evening.
Governor H -yward reached the
scene shortly after the negro had been
captured. A platform was erected in
a fence corner on the premises Of
tha victims father from which Gov
>ernor Hayward addressed the mob
in an effort to prevent the lynching.
= The gov:rnor beseeched the mob
not, to lynch Davis, but in vain. At
the conclusion Of his speech the gov
>ernor was vociferouosly cheered.
The mob then removed the prisoner
to place within short distance OF
the home of the victim, Were the
negro was riddled with bullets. 1t IS
Ir.possible to estimate the crowd, as
citizens from several counties had
gathered at the scene and for two
days had been in pursuit Of the fend,
but it is certain that hundreds Of
bullets were sent through his body.
. The militia in that section OF the
state is now encamped at Ch1cka-
mauga and there were no nearby
troops to be called. The governors
guards and the Richland Volunteers
OF Columbia had been ordered to hold
themselves in readiness In the event
that their services were NEEDED, but
the mob was determined and 1t Is
doubtful if the presence Of soldiers
could have prevented the lyncring.
The negro was captured in a creek,
tied hand and foot and carried to the
home of his victim for Identification.
Four men were delegated to escort
him to the house. The young lady,
lying on her bed, with deep cash in
her throat, turned her eyes toward
the negro.
"Ttat's the scoundrel," she said, II
know him by his eyes,"
The negro was removed outside OF
the house, where platform had been
erected for the governor. Hear the
governor" said someone, and he be-
gan in his clear voice a r.ost i'm
passioned appeal. 81 know he said,
-that nothing could take place that
could keep you from hearing the gov
ernor of South Carolina" The crowd
chered. Justify, and clapped their
hands in admiration. 81 come here
alone" he continued, mot bringing
any troops, only two newspaper mea
came with me, and they, as well as
s, are South Carolinians, just as you
are, with like feelings. You are my
friends. Here I am not alone as your
governor, but as your friend. I
come to appeal to your manhood.
The question is, Shall the people be
allowed to be ruled by their passions
and prejudices, or shall the suprem-
acy and the majesty of the law be
upheld? I promise you on T-y honor
that as speedy trial as the law al
lows shall be held. would not OBJ
Hsct TO cutting tie rope to hang
shat scoundred, provided the law says
So"
1t was one Of the most picturesque
sights ever witnessed, either in this
state or any other.
tI am here alone" went on the
governor, ';but I represent the maj.
esty of the law, represent the state
of South Carolina, your state and
mine, and I say to you, I beg you,
implore you in Gods name, don't
Dut another stain upon our fair state.
! plead with you to let the law take
ats course. You have an opportunity
here, a splendid opportunity, to let
1t be said that South Carolina leads
IN this matter Let us reason together,
3 feel just as you do, I have lived
IN the country and realize the dangers
to which cur women are constantly
. exposed, but there is something high
er than the wreaking Of vengeance
on that black devil and fiend Of kell.
You won't enjoy it tomorrow when
you look back upon it all"
Just here the men came up to
the stand and said: eve appreciate
what you say, but we are not going
to dc it, we have stood this thing
long enough
Many shouted for the governor to
go on, and he concluded his fruitless
appeal to prevent the lynching.
a.