The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1906-07-20
A White Woman from the North
Assaulted Near Aiken
BY HER NEGRO PIT,
Who Made HIS Escape, and the ON.
GERS are Trying to Catch Him.
She Was Great Friend to
The Negro Race Gen.
orally.


a dispatch from Aiken says news OF
horrible orime that was perpetrated
about five miles from that placs reaoh-
cd there Wednesday afternoon, but D
coherent account could not be obtain
ed until this morning.
On Monday morning about 2 O'Clock
Mrs. l.. s. Ohapin was assaulted In
her homo by q negro man named
Isaac Knight. The fact that MrB.
Ohapin is an old lady, at least 86
years of age, makes the crime all the
more revolving. The negro who as
saulted her had been in her employ for
over three years. Mrs. Chaplin lived
in the house with no white person.
The negro man, who liYed in u room
at the side of che house next to the
Kitchen, and a negro family living in
the Yard, were the only ones who
stayed near her.
Isaac Knight had been of all dav
Sunday and did not come back to MIRA.
Ohapin's home until early Monday
morning. Hearing knock at the on.
trance Of the house, Mrs. Chaplin went
60 the door TO see who 1T was. She
opened the door and found 1t was
Knight. She went into the dining
room and was fixing the negro acmo
supper when he committed the assault.
Inc negro left the community and
das not been seen since.
Mira. Chapin has no near white
neighborB, SO she could not report the
case al once. When the sheriff Learn
ed OF iG yesterday morning, he went TO
Jhe community at once and tried to
capture the negro, but he could find
no traces OF him. The crime had not
become generally known In Aiken un-
Gil late yesterday afternoon, when
posse or about 90 men pnder the lead.
crship or the sheriff organized for the
purpose OF catching the negro.
1t was distinctly undersuood before
they left here that there would be no
|iynching, but tnaG bhey would do
everything possible to catch the negro
and have MIN placed la jsil. They
left here last evening and searched
0he country thoroughly, but they
could find no traces of him. Further
search will be made for him,
Mrs. Chaplin wanted the case DROP
ped as she did not wish to appear in
court In such case, but, OF course,
| munity will not allow the negro to 20
unpunished II 1t Is possible to capture
aim. Every effort will be made to
oring the scoundrel to Justice, but the
| people have agreed that there will be
40 lYnching. The posse went armed
last night 80 as to be prepared to meet
any opposition, for 1T was rumCred
chat the negroes In the community
intended to give some trouble.
Mrs. Chapin Is Northern lady, and
before her misfortune did not under
stand the negro. She had put every
trust In Knight and had even consid-
cred him the equal Of the average
white man. She had treated him as
we'll as she could have treated any
white person, thinking that he was o
gentleman. She even declared on one
occasion that he was a perfect gentle
man. Knight was always respectful
TO Mrs Cnapin, bud 1t could be seen
oy his aotions among other negroes
UEat the treatment Gnat he was re-
ceiving was giving him q false idea of
nis Importance. On Monday morning
the nature OF the negro asserted it,
self; IT could be held In check no lon
ger
Mrs Chapin was originally from
Manchester. Vermont, but she has
made her home near Aiken for q num-
oer OF years. White people have warn
ed her several times that she should
not stay alone with no one near her
except negroes, but sne would pay no
attention 10 them, thinking that the
negfo was worthy OF trust. She came
south with the New Eaglanders uau-
al idea Of negro character, and no ar
gument that could be put forth could
snake the negro from the pedestal on
which she had placed him. While
Che white people OF the community
are not In sympathy with Mrs. Cha.
pins treatment Of the negro they are
determined that he shall be brought
TO justice. a whit5 lady has been in.
sulted-that is enough, punishment
must follow.
When the posse collected last night
there were no signs OF mob violence.
They were quiet determined body Of
men bent upon the capture Of the
, scoundrel who had dared TO insult q
lady. Although they did not succeed
in capturing him last night, they are
i determined to searon for him until he
, ls captured.