The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-08-22
SUMTER. S. c.. WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 80. 1906.

but men with gray hairs and deter
n1ination. They came with their
coats off and deep-set vengeance
Governor Hayward was asked into
the house to get a bite to eat. He
suggested that the law take its course.
The women folk flashed that they
would act as men If need be. Cover
nor Hayward thought he might get
Mr.. J. Pett Brooks, the father Of the
young woman, and sturdy man, to
help him; but no, he too, wanted
quick vengeance. He even wanted
the negro burned.
The Negro Identified.
It looked hopeless from the very
start. Finally the cavalcade came up
to the house with a burly negro tied.
The crowd had grown, The news had
spread and from far and near came
men with their firearms. Men from
Greenwood, from above and below
Greenwood, and even from Abbeville,
were there. How many guns were
there, Heaven only knows. At least
500, and counting pistols, twice that
number, and perhaps more. Four
men literally dragged Davis into the
room to show him to Miss Brooks.
The crowd was so thick that it was
difficult to get him into the house,
but he was finally taken into the room
and Miss Brooks Identified him be-
yond question. She had no doubt
about his Identification, and he was
easily recognizable. Davis was then
taken back by his captors to the bug
gy in which he was brought. Gov
ernor Hayward was asking that the
negro be turned over to the officers Of
the law.
The Governor Speaks.
The crowd asked that he be heard.
Several boards were placed acoss the
angles of the front yard fence and
Governor Hayward was pulled up on
the boards.
Governor Hayward was intensely
in earnest. He was almost pale with
excitement when he mounted the lit
tie stage. There was applause and as
he spoke the crowds cheered the man
the governor, they ell felt ard knew
was doing his duty.
Some one suggested that the hur-
| rahing might disturb Miss Brooks
and Governor Hayward begged that
the audience be quiet, as this was q
most serious matter, and out Of re-
spect to the women ard sick.
| Governor Hayward literally ha6
| guns to the right and left of him, te
| the front and to the rear. The mer
| were deeply in earnest and listened
| Governor Hayward said he came
alone, except that there were 2 news,
| paper men with him, citizens Of South
Carolina, just as he was. He said he
came unarmed, unassisted and alone
| to plead for law and order. Ther
came applause, and finally Governor
| Heyward stopped il. Governor Hey
ward said he might have ordered
troops to the scene, and even these
! might have been useless, but he did
nit wish to have further trouble. He
| came from Columbia, he went on tc
say, to enter his plea as governor o1
south Carolina that the law be allow
| ed to take it's course. He believed
the men present would see it as he
did, and the great wrong and great
Injustice that would be done the State
| if the crowd took the law in its own
| hands.
| Let the law take its; course he
begged. 81 am a South Caroliniar
just the same as you are 1 have a
wife and family at home for whom
have the same attachment that you
all have. I, 100. live in the ctuntry
Perhaps when 1 was in Colleton
lived more remotely from neighbors
Than any one Of you, and assure
YOU i know how you all feel. Still !
am a South Carolinian, and as Cover
nor OF the State, beg you, let me
fmplorc you. that the law be allowed
to take lis course. The State OF South
Carolina is on trial before the civili-
zed world. The question is shall the
people in passion rule. Or shall the
majesty Of the law be upheld?
1T is a serious question. The full
seriousness is upon you. Let me ap-
peal to the manhood Of Greenwood
County, let me appeal to you as South
carolinians, that you let this man,
this brute, be punished as the law